The City of Tallahassee will foreclose on the failed Washington Square Hotel development.
The project was first permitted in 2018. But in the years since then, work on the property has stalled. And since 2021, officials have been levying daily code enforcement and environmental fines.
The current fines total more than $415,000, according to city staff. The city commission voted unanimously Wednesday to foreclose on the property to settle that difference.
Commissioner Jeremy Matlow said the move has been a long time coming.
“I think this site has been a source of frustration, I think, to every member of our commission, as well as our community, for years now. And I do think it's important, as we have fines in place, that we show that our rules have. Teeth and that we need to move forward,” he said.
The city will acquire the property, then look to sell it to make up for the delinquent fines.