Plans are moving ahead to turn a tumble-down group of buildings on Tallahassee's Southside into a sleek complex of art galleries, cafes and other businesses. The project's developer held an open house at the future site of South Monroe Walls Thursday evening, June 11.
The walls will feature large rotating displays of art work on the exterior fronting South Monroe Street. Developer Bugra Demirel said local firms are already lining up to lease the ten commercial spaces.
"No franchises, no mattress stores, all local restaurants and businesses," he insisted with a smile.
Local architect Gina Conn had lots of renderings showing how the complex will look upon completion.
"Obviously it's going to stand out because it's colorful and full of art. But we don't want it to seem like it's 'Anywhereville, USA.' We still want it to have some Tallahassee components to it," she remarked.
One helpful component would be $800,000 in supportive funding from the Community Redevelopment Agency. The meeting to decide whether that happens is still in the future.
