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Commissioners direct timeline and legal review to repair Washington Square roadway and recover costs
Summary
After years of stalled work at the Washington Square development beside the county courthouse, commissioners unanimously directed the county administrator to return with a timeline, cost estimate for county work to restore right‑of‑way, and to pursue all legal remedies to recover costs from the developer or related entities.
The Leon County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously April 8 to direct the county administrator to prepare a public agenda item that lays out a timeline and estimated county cost to repair rights‑of‑way at the stalled Washington Square development near the courthouse, and to pursue all available legal remedies to recoup county costs.
Commissioner O’Keefe framed the action as an accountability and safety issue, saying the county “has an obligation to provide safe transit and safe roads and safe access for our citizens,” and urging that the county not delay repairs because of uncertainty over developer finances. After discussion of legal collection risks and whether the developer or an affiliated entity had assets, commissioners added an amendment asking staff and the county attorney to pursue “all legal options to pursue all available remedies to collect everything due to us from the company or any related company or asset.”
County Attorney (role title used in meeting) told the board the county had a terminated license agreement with an affiliated entity that has defaulted and appears to have limited assets; she noted the county could pursue a judgment but collection depends on available assets and creditor priority in any bankruptcy. The county administrator said staff is actively coordinating with the City of Tallahassee to restore the curb‑to‑curb county streets and city responsibilities from curb to property line, and that the county would seek reimbursement from the former license holder.
The board’s motion directs staff to return with: an agenda item that lists the current timeline for fixing the corridor, the city’s agreement and participation on repairs, and an estimated cost for the county’s portion so the board can give policy direction. Commissioners also asked county legal staff to evaluate options such as seeking a judgment and, if appropriate, pursuing theories including piercing the corporate veil to reach responsible parties.
The board approved the direction unanimously.
Why it matters: The site is adjacent to the Leon County Courthouse and commissioners characterized the long‑running stalled construction and damaged sidewalks as an ongoing safety and aesthetic problem. The board also emphasized parity of enforcement—arguing small property owners receive rigorous enforcement while the stalled developer has not been held to the same standard in practice.
Next steps: County staff will return with a timeline, a scope and cost estimate for county repairs, the status of city coordination, and an assessment of legal options to pursue reimbursement and collection.
