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Tallahassee commission approves sale of two downtown blocks to developer 908 Group, amid design and public‑space concerns
Summary
The commission approved the sale of two downtown city blocks to 908 Group for a mixed‑use development that includes multifamily housing and a hotel, with a substitute condition that a failed sale would trigger a new solicitation. Commissioners and downtown stakeholders raised concerns about surface parking, design compatibility and public space.
The Tallahassee City Commission on March 11 approved the sale of two downtown city blocks (commonly known as Chevron and John’s) to developer 908 Group after a presentation from the city’s broker and a lengthy public discussion about design, parking and public space.
Broker TLG reported six proposals; 908 Group ranked highest with a mixed‑use plan that includes a multifamily project (estimated cost about $125 million) and a hotel (about $45 million). Aaron Tilton, counsel for 908 Group, told commissioners the team expects the project to generate roughly $1.25 million in annual tax revenue and said a signed purchase‑and‑sale agreement was attached to the agenda.
Public commenters raised concerns that the hotel concept in the illustrative plans appeared suburban and relied on surface parking rather than the structured parking and street‑facing design desired for a downtown corridor. Mike Goldstein and other downtown stakeholders urged the commission to seek a project that better activated Gaines Street and provided public space linking campus to Cascades Park.
Commissioners pressed staff and the developer on the design, parking and density. Commissioner Matlo and others asked that the developer meet with the Downtown Improvement Authority and with commissioners to explore modifications that would better line the street and reduce surface parking; the developer said it would meet with commissioners and staff as designs are refined and that the shown renderings are conceptual and subject to review.
Commissioner Porter made a substitute motion to approve the recommended sale but to require that if the highest‑ranked proposer fails to close the city would restart the solicitation process rather than authorize staff to immediately negotiate with the second‑ranked proposer; that substitute passed 4–1 (Commissioner Williams Cox opposed). The commission also directed staff and the developer to work with commissioners and downtown stakeholders on design details during the permitting and site‑plan process.
Next steps: Staff will finalize the purchase and sale closing under the terms presented and proceed with due diligence. The developer will refine design and meet with commissioners and downtown stakeholders; site design and permits will be reviewed under the downtown overlay and multimodal standards.
