Commissioner Caban Frustrated with Pensacola Street Issues

On February 11, 2025, the Leon County Commissioners received an update on the ongoing revitalization projects along West Pensacola St. and North Monroe St., the report passed in a unanimous vote. However, during the meeting, several commissioners expressed frustration at the lack of progress on the project, specifically about the development of the W Pensacola St. corridor.

Commissioner Christian Caban pointed out that the efforts to revitalize and improve this area of Tallahassee began in 2004, but he believes that there has not been much progress made. He described the efforts as “disappointing.”

More recently, during a commission meeting on September 17, 2024, the members heard a crime report on this area and commissioned a report to be made about the progress to improve the safety and development of the area. Commissioner Caban said that since that crime report, things do not appear to be getting better. He pointed to one business that was robbed two times in a month and decided to relocate from the W Pensacola St. area. He stated, “I do appreciate the effort, but I don’t like the direction this is going.” His sentiments were echoed by several other elected officials.

Several of the people in charge of the revitalization project responded to Commissioner Caban’s remarks. Artie White, Director of Planning, Land Management & Community Enhancement (PLACE), explained that these efforts take time to implement and suggested that gradual progress has been made. White noted that the private sector along that corridor has seen some growth with an Aldi, Starbucks, Planet Fitness, and others opening stores. They have also been working to connect the public amenities along that corridor.

There have also been concrete efforts to combat homelessness and human trafficking along the corridor in conjunction with the Big Bend Continuum of Care and the Sheriff’s HOST unit. According to the status report, “These public and private sector investments will continue to enhance the safety, mobility, and aesthetics along the West Pensacola Street corridor.”

After listening to the testimonies from the PLACE staff, Commissioner Nick Maddox sympathized with the work being done along the W Pensacola St corridor. He said that while frustrating “progress is being made.”

The commission accepted the status report with a unanimous vote.