Plans to bring the luxury hotel Valencia to downtown Tallahassee will not be pursued further.
In 2021, the city entered into an $8 million agreement with developer Valencia Development Corp. to purchase the Chevron and Johns properties, which border Madison, Duval and West Gaines streets and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
“The developer took advantage of an extension over the summer but recently decided to let the agreement expire,” Deputy City Manager Wayne Tedder wrote in an Aug. 22 email.
“Since the purchase agreement is no longer valid, it would have to be sent back to the city commission for review. The preliminary submission is still valid and available should they decide to proceed.”
Previous plans envisaged the construction of two hotels:
- The Johns’ property was to be used to build a 225-room boutique hotel with conference and ballroom space and associated parking that would be a major attraction for large gatherings, weddings and corporate events.
- A 180-room hotel was planned on the Chevron site.
The conceptual designs showed a hotel that was unparalleled in the capital – stucco in color and finish, a spacious loggia, an outdoor dining area arranged around existing trees, a pool and a bar on the roof.
Deal did not receive unanimous approval years ago
City Manager Reese Goad said the city still owns the properties and the hotel group could still buy them at a later date. “But they would need a new purchase agreement,” he said.
Nevertheless, the deal did not receive broad support from city councils during the approval round in July 2021.
The vote passed 3-2. Councilmen Jack Porter and Jeremy Matlow voted against approving the sale of the 5 acres. At the time, Matlow said there was no competitive bid and it violated the city’s policy for selling public land, which also requires a second appraisal.
Although a request for proposal (RFP) was approved, city staff said it was not published as planned, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason no bids were submitted.
Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox supported the project because it was seen as a contribution to the realisation of the long-discussed goal of 18-hour opening hours in the city centre and predicted the creation of 250 jobs.
“My focus is on jobs,” Williams-Cox said at the time. “We’re trying to grow our economy and grow smart here in Tallahassee.”
Contact economic development reporter TaMaryn Waters at [email protected] and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
