The Crystal River City Council on Monday, April 27, agreed to amend its development agreement with developer Ed O’Hanrahan to allow more time for leases to be signed with national retailers for the long-troubled Crystal Square Plaza, known locally as “579.”
The council granted O’Hanrahan 90 days to finalize leases with prospective major retailers. If those deals do not materialize, O’Hanrahan agreed to demolish the remaining structures and move forward with a new plan. The revised timeline also includes an additional 30-day window to mobilize demolition equipment if the leases are not secured, effectively setting a firm end point to a process that has stretched for more than a year. City Attorney Rob Batsel said the project is currently in default under the existing agreement, with key deadlines, including submission of a conceptual development plan and completion of demolition, already missed.
The 579 project has been a point of contention in Crystal River for some time. The site, located in the heart of the city, has been the subject of numerous discussions and debates among city officials and residents. The city council’s decision to grant O’Hanrahan more time is seen as a compromise between the need for redevelopment and the desire to ensure that the project is completed in a timely and satisfactory manner.
Residents and business owners in the area are eagerly awaiting the redevelopment of the site, which they hope will bring new economic opportunities and revitalize the downtown area. The city’s decision to extend the deadline is seen as a positive step towards achieving this goal.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Crystal River
