TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Tallahassee city commissioners have approved the sale of a Frenchtown property, 5-0.
Tallahassee residents filled City Hall to oppose plans to sell a piece of Frenchtown to a private developer.
The property is being planned for student housing and Wednesday night, the city commission came to a final vote, agreeing to sell the property.
The majority want the city to stop this sale right in its tracks. We've spoken with several community members who say the property in question is full of history and putting student housing there will hurt Frenchtown's identity.
We're talking about a piece of land on North Macomb Street across from the Renaissance Center, less than an acre in total.
Landmark Properties has been working to make concessions to the community to help get this sale approved by the city.
These include a plaza area, a historical marker and space for retail which was a major concern for many.
One attorney who lives in Frenchtown says it's time for a compromise.
"Without the city selling that portion, then we wouldn't get the retail space, we wouldn't get the memorial, and we wouldn't get the plaza that would be set up for pop-up shops," said Mutaqee Akbar, an attorney and Frenchtown resident. "We're also pushing the city commission to put the $485,000 that the property is being sold for -- we're pushing the city to put that money back into Frenchtown directly."
The city commission tabled this issue last month to give the developers more time to address community concerns.
Hundreds were at this meeting, many wearing black, to show solidarity in opposing the sale.
