News Summary
Tallahassee has conditionally approved a new workforce housing project on West Tennessee Street, led by Miami-based Global City Development. Set to cover a 2.5-acre space, this development will create 355 housing units for essential workers, including police officers and teachers. The project, costing around $100 million, includes commercial and office space, with construction slated to begin in October 2024. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church will own and operate the development once completed, addressing growing housing demands in downtown Tallahassee.
Tallahassee has granted conditional approval for a new workforce housing project on West Tennessee Street. The development is set to transform a 2.5-acre city block at 309 W. Tennessee St., which is currently used as overflow parking for Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and the adjacent City Centre building.
This project, spearheaded by Miami-based Global City Development, aims to provide necessary housing for essential workers, including police officers, firefighters, teachers, and medical professionals. Many of these workers earn between 80% to 140% of the area’s median income for Leon County.
City officials, including growth management director John Reddick, confirmed the project’s conditional approval late last month. As of now, no additional permit applications have been submitted for review, but key approvals will be required before construction can commence. This includes final site plan approval, an environmental management permit, and commercial building permits.
The ambitious development is estimated to cost around $100 million and will encompass a significant number of residential units. The proposal includes plans for 355 housing units, alongside approximately 2,850 square feet of commercial space and 7,450 square feet of office space. The design will feature courtyards and various amenities for residents, with the parking garage accessible from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and West Call Street.
Construction on the project is tentatively slated to begin in October 2024, with the aim of making units available for move-in by late 2027. CRA Director Stephen Cox indicated that the developer is expected to request additional funding from the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in the first quarter of 2026. In 2023, the project was preliminarily approved for a $7 million loan from the CRA.
A minor deviation regarding the project’s permit will be reviewed at an upcoming Development Review Committee meeting scheduled for August 25. The aim of the development is to convert the currently underutilized lot, which has been described as ‘haphazard parking’, into an attractive new housing option for the workforce.
Once completed, the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church plans to own and operate the development. Currently, no construction activity is visible at the site, which continues to function as a parking lot. The project represents a significant step towards addressing workforce housing needs in downtown Tallahassee, particularly in light of rising housing demands for essential workers.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Downtown Development Housing Project Gains Traction
- WTXL: Southwest Tallahassee Housing Project Has One Less Hurdle
- Tallahassee Reports: Three Unspoken Realities of Affordable Housing
- WPTV: Affordable Housing Crisis Remains a Top Concern
- Tallahassee.com: Ground Broken for New Affordable Housing Project
- Wikipedia: Affordable Housing
- Google Search: Workforce Housing
- Google Scholar: Affordable Housing Development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Development
- Google News: Housing Initiatives in Florida
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
