KCCI: Tallahassee

Get Gaines Going intends to accelerate the long-time, ongoing efforts to revitalize and develop the Gaines Street corridor. Members of this initiative team hope to create incentives that will move the project forward at a quicker pace and eliminate hurdles that previously caused delays. The team recognizes the need to create an enhanced quality of place, and believes Gaines Street development will add authenticity and vibrancy to our region.

The Get Gaines Going team has met with everyone involved in the Gaines Street redevelopment effort, including BluePrint2000, members of the performing arts center initiative, Public Works employees, the Council on Culture and Arts (COCA), the Gaines Street Redevelopment Committee, city planning and design officials, the assistant city manager and others to encourage communication and understanding between all parties and discuss the primary hindrances to progress.

Currently, the City of Tallahassee is attempting to sell land downtown to spur development, but there are few businesses willing to invest in the area’s economic future. In the meantime, the primary hindrance to progress is contructing the roads and infrastructure required to handle future traffic surrounding the Gaines Street corridor. Another issue to consider is the drainage ditch parallel to Gaines Street, which is a navigational waterway and involves the Army Corps of Engineers. Environmental issues are also a concern, as is the current storm water system. All of these issues must be resolved prior to realizing the collective vision for Gaines Street as an arts and cultural corridor.

Green Roofs 

Currently, the Get Gaines Going team is working closely with Roxanne Manning, head of the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and new project manager of the Gaines Street corridor revitalization effort. The biggest advancement so far in their effort to accelerate development is the potential for a Green Roof Incentive Zone in the Gaines Street corridor.

Instead of shingles or metal roofs, green roofs are flat and topped with soil where plants can grow. This soil retains storm water and reduces storm water runoff. If Tallahassee can use green roof technology to reduce the amount of storm water in the Gaines Street basin, the city will be able to significantly reduce the need for additional storm water improvements, move the Gaines Street development timeline up significantly, and save money at the same time.

Kaleidoscope on Gaines

Kaleidoscope on Gaines is a project proposed by the Get Gaines Going team that will extend bids to artists to use lights to artistically illuminate downtown buildings at night in effort to bring together artists, residents, businesses, students and families and to showcase our city as a creative hub where art and innovation converge. This proposed project is similar to Lights on Tampa.

Artspace

In partnership with the Council on Culture and Arts (COCA), Artspace, America’s leading non-profit real estate developer for the arts, would like to develop an arts incubor in the Gaines Street corridor known as the Arts Park on Gaines. The Arts Park would feature artist lofts, affordable housing, shops and restaraunts, classroom and workshop spaces, a professional scene shop and other exciting venues. If Artspace’s initiative solidifies, it will spur downtown development and help Tallahassee achieve its goal of a vibrant, welcoming, creative 18-hour downtown.

Community Resources & Information:

Arts Park on Gaines: Plans for a 90,000 square foot arts incubator in the heart of Tallahassee

Council on Culture & Arts Presentation

If you are interested in joining the team or have ideas about how to help, please leave a comment below or e-mail kccitallahassee@gmail.com.