Gaines Street changes coming

http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/07/31/railroad-avenue-properties-get-new-owners/87684056/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter


Has the development craze on Gaines Street finally crossed into the Bohemian confines of the All Saints District?
In time, maybe.
Three weeks ago, the Nahoom family, beneficiaries of the late businessman and restaurant supply store owner F. Joseph Nahoom, sold 1.5 acres of prime Railroad Avenue real estate to Blue Dog Investments. The Havana-based company is controlled by lobbyist Paul Bradshaw, founder of Southern Strategy Group, and wife Sally Bradshaw, a Republican political consultant who was once chief of staff to former Gov. Jeb Bush.
The $2.45 million purchase gives the Bradshaws the properties along the east side of Railroad Avenue from Gaines Street south to All Saints Street — including the Crepevine, The Side Bar Theatre, All Saints Cafe and a group of local shops and restaurants at the corner of All Saints Street.

The Bradshaws will have to win over an All Saints neighborhood with a healthy skepticism toward development. The area has struggled to maintain its funky, independent ecosystem as developers erect apartment buildings, hotels, grocery stores and restaurants along Gaines Street.
But Paul Bradshaw said there are no immediate redevelopment plans and the current tenants aren't going anywhere for now.
"It is not our intention to displace the tenants that are there," he said, "and we're going to be reaching out to them to negotiate leases and keep them in place."

Any changes to the site, Bradshaw said, wouldn't happen for years.
While there are no firm plans, he's "kicking around some concepts." Ultimately, he's planning a mixed-use development, a project that's "residential and retail and captures the vibe of the All Saints District."
The residential units, Bradshaw said, would be built out of shipping containers.
"We would look at upcycling components and making it energy efficient," he said.
The Bradshaws, accomplished players in the political realm, aren't novices to the world of real estate. Since 2002, the couple has purchased 20 properties in Leon County, nearly half of those within the last year, for a combined $12 million, according to the Leon County Property Appraiser. The properties are located in emerging economic centers in downtown, Gaines Street, Midtown and West Tennessee Street.
The couple also owns the 1123 @ Midtown complex, home to Paisley Cafe. Later this year, Sally Bradshaw plans to open a bookstore there called Midtown Reader.

The sale has drawn mixed reactions from tenants and the neighborhood.
Joe Burgenstall, president of the All Saints Community Association, also the area's merchant's association, is confident the district can work with Blue Dog.
"They've done some really good developments that really fit the character of neighborhoods," Burgenstall said. "We've reached out to him and hope to have a dialogue so that his plans can contribute to the neighborhood's intentions for the future."

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That future, Burgenstall said, is built on accessibility for local small businesses and maintaining an organic culture. Those ends, he said, are dependent on affordable rents.
"If done right, the small businesses that are displaced during construction should be able to afford to come back into the new retail spaces with reasonable rent increases and maintain the character and legacy of the neighborhood," he said. "Some of the developer's projects have done just this, so we're optimistic, but there's a lot of trepidation and concern among the tenants about what the future will look like."

Dan Gilbertson, the owner of the Crepevine and The Side Bar Theatre, explained that not only are his businesses not leaving but he's working with Bradshaw to bring more food options to the corner of Railroad Avenue and Gaines Street. Gilbertson, who also owns Potbelly's, plans to bring a new restaurant to the area.
"I think he's going to do right by the people and the community," Gilbertson said.
Gary "Yostie" Yost, the owner of Yostie's Chili Parlor, part of a group of shops at the corner of Railroad Avenue and All Saints Street, said he's "mildly concerned" his rent may go up with a new landlord. Two years ago, he acquired the storefront to start selling chili dogs and has just recently built a base of loyal customers.
He doesn't oppose development, although he wishes builders wouldn't disrupt local businesses.
"You can't stop development, you've just got to go with the flow," he said. "For me, I'd like to see it stay like this for five or 10 years, but it's not going to happen."