Tallahassee CRA board OKs $134,000 for Hayward House renovations downtown

In a 4-1 vote, Hayward House – the new downtown bar and restaurant that took over the former Andrew's – Thursday was granted its request of $134,000 from the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency District to fund renovations.

CRA board members listened to Hayward House owner Ashley Chaney as she presented a brief slideshow displaying her funding requests for both completed and slated renovations.

A number of repairs, in a list that “goes on and on,” were vital for the restoration of the downtown landmark, she explained. These include light fixtures, restrooms, patio and replacement of kitchen equipment.

Mayor John Dailey and City Commissioners Dianne Williams-Cox, Curtis Richardson and Jack Porter voted in favor. Commissioner Jeremy Matlow voted against the request.

But both Matlow and Porter expressed concerns, saying a future board discussion was needed to put a “guard rail” in place as to what the CRA will fund.

Otherwise, the CRA will risk funding “every project that has internal work renovations downtown,” Matlow said.

Matlow suggested the reinstatement of a Facade Outside Improvement Program, which inspires property owners to upgrade visible, corridor-facing components of their properties, and an annual cap for how much money the CRA gives out.

“I think the majority of the money being spent on external facade improvements would be my personal preference,” Matlow said, adding that the CRA should decide to not invest more than 10-20% of the funding in these redevelopment projects.

Hayward House's $134,000 grant request was 24.94% of its eligible expenses, estimated at $537,230, according to documents.

“I'm in a hard place. I really like the project and I want to help, but I think we need to step back,” Matlow said, explaining that the CRA's focus should be on new development and streetscape.

More: See inside: Hayward House transforms famous corner into chic downtown Tallahassee bistro

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Porter shared Matlow’s concerns, adding, “I don't feel like we really have a comprehensive vision or guide, or really how we're moving forward with the downtown CRA.”

Porter said although there is $3 million in uncommitted funds from the master project fund from fiscal year 2022, money has been invested into the patio before, when it was Andrew's. Dailey pointed out that was under different ownership.

Williams-Cox, who made the motion to approve, said that implementing these new restrictions, and denying Hayward House the funds when it met all the criteria in its October application, would be like moving the “goal post.”

This is not a “facade project but a wholesale redo,” she said.

“I applaud what you're doing and being able to afford to do it and then look for help,” Williams-Cox said. “I think that it was a very good thing, and very strategic and I'm glad it worked out.”

Kyla Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ksanford@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: New Hayward House restaurant gets OK for CRA money