Site clearing begins for Cascades Project
News from North American Properties – Cascades Project
Today marks an exciting milestone in Tallahassee’s ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown and bring our city’s largest economic development project to fruition. After spending the last few weeks removing asbestos, light ballasts and other hazardous materials from the abandoned buildings across from Cascades Park, crews began clearing the site this morning in preparation for new construction.
Honoring our History
The architecturally significant former county health unit will be preserved in its entirety. Other buildings on the site, including the Firestone building and the former WPA District Office, will be removed. Thanks to invaluable input from local citizens, the new development will feature a community-envisioned historical plaza that highlights the stories behind these buildings and the rich history of the area.
Preserving the stories of our community is one of the most important aspects of this project for our team. With the community input we received – from the personal experiences of Civil Rights activists to the recollections of citizens who received vaccinations at the former county health unit – we are going to bring these stories to life and make sure future generations learn about what happened here.
Responsible Growth Downtown
The landmark live oak on the northeast corner of the property will be preserved along with several palmettos, but many of the other trees will be removed. While it is always difficult to see trees being removed, this project fulfills local government’s desire for responsible growth and meets the community’s demand for urban infill, which reduces the impacts of development on outlying areas.
New trees will be planted as part of the project, and a street tree canopy will be created surrounding the property. We will also contribute to Tallahassee’s “tree bank,” which funds tree-planting throughout the community.
Construction Details
Site clearing will continue for approximately two months. To minimize effects on park visitors and nearby residents, work will occur mostly on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and will not conflict with permitted special events held at Cascades Park. Traffic patterns, parking and access to the park will not be affected at this time.
We look forward to keeping you informed as we work to bring this transformative urban development to Downtown Tallahassee!