TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Tallahassee leaders have approved projects which will benefit the Frenchtown area in the coming years. The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) plans to move forward with funding for proposed programs in the area.
Frenchtown will get a bit of facelift in the future. The city is looking to set the neighborhood apart. The CRA plans to create a gateway to Frenchtown, currently proposed at Macomb and Tennessee streets. The city is also tearing down the former shelter and community center to make room for potential retail, residential and commercial use.
"The removal of the shelter has been a big boon to the community," said Rick McCraw of the CRA. "They're very happy that the shelter is now moved over to Pensacola Street, and they're looking to something positive on these properties."
The CRA has secured funding from the city for the projects that could take several years to complete.
"They want to bring in a supermarket," McCraw said. "That's kind of the bigger use. If there's a need for a supermarket in the Frenchtown community, so they'll be working on that."
The city will conduct a study to determine the best use of the area. Up to $200,000 has been set aside for this part of the project.
"We all agree that it has to be something that makes a statement for welcoming people to Frenchtown - to show Frenchtown at its best," McCraw said.
The shelter and community center will be cleaned out by the end of October and demolished by the end of the year, McCraw said.
The CRA says it will depend on community feedback to complete and design all projects. The city is in the process of finding a consultant to start the market study.
