Florida

It was great bumping into you yesterday. Hope you enjoyed your meal! Destination is the key word, and that's what this will be for many people who live within reach of this, and for many traveling the Highways through our city. No other major shopping area will front I-10 the way this will, no other will offer the abundance of dining options as this one which includes a total of 13 restaurant pads 6,000+ sq.ft. Can you imagine 13 new restaurants in close concentration anywhere else in this city? Destination! C'mon, this is the mother of destinations!! This will be the ultimate stop along I-10 through Florida for someone looking to eat, not to mention the huge population in that area. This would truly boost Rick Kearney's efforts to bring people into Summit East, business travelers doing business with his park will no longer have to settle for the few options that are available in the immediate area around the park, they'll have this large center to flock to, for not only food, but for entertainment, reading, and shopping as well. I see two anchor stores in the footprint, where I was hoping to see 3 or 4. We can already figure one is going to be Dillards and the other rumored to be a JCPenny's. But things always change, and its still a bit early. That's why I'm trying to wait to see what we're working with first ...

It's fair to disagree. That's why we're all here sharing our thoughts. It is definitely sprawl, I'm not debating that. But I'm not sure I'd qualify this as Leap Frog with what we've already go going on in that area. Summit East is across the street just east of this project site, a new Hotel is being built across the street from it, a Golf Course (Driving Range) is across the street, two restaurants, another major shopping center, Vineyard Publix, is across the street, Tallahassee RV Camp is next door, as well as several churches and two major highways border this project site. I could argue this as infill development and technically be correct. Now, if we're prepared to protest this development because it is sprawl, then we're ready to say Tallahassee should cease to grow because Welaunee Plantation, one of the largest PUDs to be proposed for our city, is in the same area, probably going a bit further east, and we've all been singing its praises. To many who did not grow up in Tallahassee or on this side of town, yeah, this is hinterlands, but understand a great chunk of Tallahassee's population lives in this area, many great schools and neighborhoods are out this way, and for many, this is the convenience they've long waited for, I know my family is excited about it. Sure its a lifestyle center, therefore it is a shopping center. And no Tallahassee wouldn't wither away without one, but this would certainly enhance a portion of this community largely seen as "full of potential". The residents that didn't like Fallschase wouldn't like anything new, so I'm not very concerned about their often stubborn feelings.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. People may speak down about our state's abundance of strip malls, but they also flock to them. My point was that strip malls are a Florida tradition, and while it may not be our desire to have "yet another one" as some have already labeled this Life-Style Center, this one, as seen through my eyes, may be the thing we need to help Tallahassee better identify with other communities around our great state.

It's amazing to me how we can look at the footprint of a project and forecast what type of development it will be. I think we need to wait for more information to become available before we pass judgment on the overall proposal. I'm not saying we should lower our standards for anything, I want us to have the best. I've looked at all of Colonial's Pinnacle Properties and they are very tasteful and well received. I just don't think Tallahassee needs to continue to be the city that tries to pick everything apart that is proposed, let someone else's creativity and vision bloom for a change. Psycuda already warned us that this thing would be linear and perhaps not have the most efficient layout, but this is how all of the Pinnacle malls look, let's just not prejudice ourselves so soon without all of the information we can get.

I think many of you are being far too harsh. I think the design is compatible with what I've seen along the interstate throughout Florida, and it is largely what we need more of in Tallahassee. This is a SURE catalyst project in my opinion. I'm picturing the view from a car driving down the interstate, one that has never been to Tallahassee before... the impression may in fact attract someone to stop and eat, and perhaps buy a few things. A wonder of mine is, will this Mall have some Outlet stores? If so, the design would make more sense. I hope this project is approved and is allowed to move forward. I like the way Devoe is thinking with this one.

I'm sure there will be revisions. But without seeing an elevation I'm no so quick to make a judgment. Who knows, from the ground looking ahead this might be the most beautiful thing you ever see. The Tallahassee mall, itself is very much a long snake-shaped mall.

I'm sure AiT and Mracca wouldn't mind the walk! I do think it's a long Strip Mall also, but I differ with respect to the frontage... I like the fact that it fronts so Boldly along I-10. I think that will be an incredible way of saying, "Look at how Tallahassee is Growing" and "Come Shop here!". DCA needs to work out whatever issue they have with this developer, impose a fine for the premature site work, and allow this thing to move forward without prejudice. The footprint of this site plan will make a bold statement for that Exit (Old 31A/B ) and I'm sure catalyze more growth. This is a true test of whether Tallahassee is willing to grow, or simply talk about it.

Here at DEP where I work, many people believe his project to be in trouble simply because it involves the words DeVoe Moore. Can you elaborate on what your co-workers have said? Thus far, there are concerns over the fact that he's gone ahead with the infrastructure w/o approval from a permitting entity. I say, let the man invest!

I was trying to save this for a really boring day, but here's the PINNACLE AT CROSS CREEK SITE PLAN!!!! CrossCreek_site_plan.pdf

Moore: Growth Management may Delay Construction of New Mall But like any good capitalist, he's always thinking about the bottom line. He built the banquet room and two smaller conference rooms to add income to the museum because tickets alone don't even pay the utility bill. And he created the new museum as an advertisement: He and a Birmingham company plan to build an upscale outdoor mall on the 200-acre site at I-10 and U.S. 90. "I (built the new museum) to help generate interest in this corner," Moore said. "I'm also trying to give back to the community. The community has been good to me." Moore remains irritated with government bureaucracy. He built the state's largest private solar-power generator (50 kilowatts) at the new museum

This is some lovely landscaping! I love this picture.

February 12, 2008 A Playground Tallahassee, FL

Its a good place to take guests, especially if they've got kids.

Yes... these late pictures come from a recent trip to the Tallahassee Museum

February 11, 2008 Trail Bridge Tallahassee, FL

February 10, 2008 Mr. Black Bear Tallahassee, FL

February 9, 2008 Inside Belleview Tallahassee, FL

Nice one.

February 8, 2008 Bambi! Tallahassee, FL

February 7, 2008 Historic Slave House Tallahassee, FL

February 6, 2008 Inside the Old Bethel Church Tallahassee, FL

February 5, 2008 The Fabric of Our Lives Tallahassee, FL

February 3, 2008 Belleview Tallahassee, FL