CRA opens RFP for 139 North Ridgewood Drive and agrees in concept to all-office use pending negotiated milestones

The Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency opened a 30-day solicitation for redevelopment of 139 North Ridgewood Drive and signaled support in principle for converting the building to 100% commercial office use, while asking staff to negotiate measurable performance milestones before formalizing the change.

Why it matters: The property is a long-vacant, multi-story downtown building whose final use — restaurant, mixed-use or office — could influence downtown foot traffic, retail demand and the speed of the building’s rehabilitation. Board members pressed the developer and management company for data on projected occupancy and asked staff to return with measurable performance metrics.

What the board decided: The CRA approved a motion to re-advertise 139 North Ridgewood Drive and to open a 30-day RFP period with a selection committee comprised of David Bridal, Rachel Levitt and Tracy McCoy. Separately, after extended discussion, the board voted to be “amenable” to converting the building to 100% commercial office use; members clarified that the conversion and any related contract amendments would be negotiated and…