Statement from Mayor Ashton Hayward regarding 1625 N Palafox:
While I personally do not believe this facility belongs in a historic residential neighborhood, my administration is bound by the laws and ordinances adopted by the City Council. I have directed the City Attorney to review the documents related to the issuance of building permits for 1625 North Palafox Street, and he has advised the City Council and I that, based on the information submitted by the applicant, City staff acted properly and in accordance with the law. Likewise, the Department of Corrections asserts the same.
Like the residents of North Hill, I have a lot of questions about the scope of activities planned to take place at this facility. Effective on Thursday, March 13, I have directed my Chief Building Official to withhold the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy on the building for a period of fourteen days in order to allow the North Hill Preservation Association and their attorneys the appropriate amount of time to seek whatever legal remedy is available to them.
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