Breaking Ground on Future Memories:

FSU's College Town Project is Underway

by Tony Miller, Grapevine Staff

I grew up in Boston and spent my summers in St. Marks visiting my dad. I eventually moved here after 10th grade and went to Wakulla High School.  I thought I would eventually get around to going to Florida State but it was not in the cards. I ended up married, with a baby and back in Boston where I graduated from Emerson College.

I did not have your typical college experience and I guess I feel I missed out - although I never get too sentimental about it.

I am almost 40 now and 2 of my sons are about to head to college very soon. College is more than just learning how to discover knowledge, it is a transitional period where you learn to be an adult. You learn social skills and accountability -as you are no longer protected amongst your peers in your familiar high school confines.  This is where you realize there is More To Life.

This morning I was invited to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for College Town, located on the corner of Woodward & Madison, across from the intramural fields - just a frisbee toss from Doak Campbell Stadium.  College Town is being designed to give visitors that "Main Street USA" feel. It is set to open in Fall of 2013.  

Right now, it is just a dirt lot. Across Madison Street is the old brick building that will house "America's Backyard" - a 14,000 square foot venue that will feature food, dancing, bars and a concert stage, including an outdoor "backyard lawn party" that will bring national acts in to perform.

The plan is to have buildings that overlook tree-lined, cobblestone, pedestrian friendly streets - with restaurant & retail on the bottom floor and loft-style apartments above. Hmm... living (and working) in Collegetown would give my sons' quite the "college experience" - I wonder how much an apartment would cost to rent there?

The annual payroll alone will be around $12 Million and the economic impact will be $30 Million a year. Speculation, of course. Could be more, could be less.

Interesting stuff, and that is all fine and dandy for them, but I chose to look at it a different way - I looked out at nothing - it was an empty lot - but years from now - College Town will be the 'norm' for FSU students - high school students that are currently in 10th grade or younger and not even thinking about this right now.  This place is going to fill their memories and stories as they look back on their college years at FSU. When they arrive at FSU two years from now, as far as they know, College Town has always been there.

The Boosters, investors and builders are literally creating experiences for students that don't even know they are going to end up a Seminole.

Not to mention all the college football fans that come to town to root for their team - they will leave with photos and visions of spending time with friends here before and after the game.  

Now I suppose I could get into the stuff you want to know about - "Come on, Tony, tell us what retail and what restaurants are going to be there!" - I know you are dying to know... so far, there is Rise Music Club, a nightclub that will feature a rooftop deck and a glass-front swimming pool. The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel, Coffee, Pizza & Pasta Co that claims there is something about the water from Brooklyn that makes the dough better. And the Samba Cantina will bring Brazilian & Mexican fusion.

There is still room for more restaurant and retail tenants and I hope to see it fill out with a lot of locally owned shops.  I know there will be an FSU store selling all the Garnet & Gold clothing and souveniers for the students and game-goers.

To stay updated on the progress visit their website at http://www.fsucollegetown.net/ - Meanwhile, here is an overview sketch of the layout (this will keep you dreaming for awhile...) Until then, the Grapevine will meet you there for a tailgate beer in Fall of 2013.

This Map is Bigger and Interactive on their Website where you can click on the buildings for a closer look.