131 replies to this topic

[Dale]

Rock2uf, on May 29 2005, 09:22 PM, said:

Dale,

I agree that "desolate" is a pretty  good explanation.  As you can imagine, the city is (and has been) trying to incourage development along that corridor.  You probably noticed one building going up at the corner of Univ. Ave. and 6th St. (right by the RR).  This three-story mixed-use project, although not huge, is hoped to spark more development in the area.  That stretch is really bad and it has to be improved.  In due time it will be.  The city government is coming around.  There are some pretty progressive thinkers involved now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, I did notice the project you mention, to be fair. Perhaps it's a start. And the area between the new parking garage and Main, one block south of University, is looking pretty smart. Two nodes of activity, that one, and around the Hippodrome (although I noticed that Hooter's has closed, to be replaced by another restaurant).

[firemick]

Gainesville has too many tree huggers to allow anything taller than trees to scratch the skyline. I know because i grew up there. I do like Gainesville but couldn't stand the politics there. I hope that changes one day but since it is a university town... i dont ever see it changing. Shame becuase Gainesville could have a nice dense downtown cluster. The money is there and it was ranked in Money magazine in i think 1996 as one of the nicest places in America to live. There also could be another cluster out in "Midtown" and along WUA (1300-1900 block West University Avenue).  

[Rock2uf]

Yeah, the area around the hippodrome is where I take my guests.  I just blindfold them while driving there - haha.  The urban style around the hippodrom is the environment our city officials hope to create throughout the rest of downtown.  And, finally there are ordinances in place to control what type of development goes on in this area.  I like where it's heading.  I hate to re-post a pic, but here is the Hippodrome area again:

http://images.search...5&ei=ISO-8859-1

Actually, on a typical Fall/Spring semester night, the entire downtown area from the Hippodrom to the new parking garage is busy with activity.  Even a couple block north on Main gets some action.  We just have to keep pushing for development further west.

Gainesville's urban core is divided by that 4-5 block stretch from W 3rd St. to W 7th or 8th St.  There is much activity around/across from the university, and there is much activity around the Main St. area.  In between, is no mans land.  We're actually forced to come up with different names for the areas.  "Downtown" is downtown in its traditional sense, around Main St.  Then there's "Uptown" or "Midtown" referring to the area across from campus along 13th St. and University.  One day this will change.

Edited by Rock2uf, 29 May 2005 - 09:46 PM.

[Florida]

firemick, on May 29 2005, 11:34 PM, said:

Gainesville has too many tree huggers to allow anything taller than trees to scratch the skyline. I know because i grew up there. I do like Gainesville but couldn't stand the politics there. I hope that changes one day but since it is a university town... i dont ever see it changing. Shame becuase Gainesville could have a nice dense downtown cluster. The money is there and it was ranked in Money magazine in i think 1996 as one of the nicest places in America to live. There also could be another cluster out in "Midtown" and along WUA (1300-1900 block West University Avenue). 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just chuckle at the thought of a person actually walking up to a tree and wrapping their arms around it to embrace it passionately.  

[Rock2uf]

I'm no tree hugger, but I respect the role that trees play in a city streetscape.  Visit many of the great cities; almost all of them share two things:  abundant and beautiful green spaces, and great street trees along main corridors.

Tally has many old live oaks along its roadways (as does Gainesville).  Imagine if the city or a developer planned to cut them down.  I'm not saying you'd throw your body in front of them (neither would I).  But, it's impossible to replace a 100+ year-old live oak that a developer feels is in his way.  

Sure, many residents of Gainesville may take the "tree huggin' hippie" stance a little far.  But, the truth is, land can be developed without mowing down every tree on the property.  The most beautiful projects to me are the projects that fit nicely within their enviornment (trees or no trees).  

Gainesville's height restriction has nothing to do with the trees of the area.  It has more to do with the city's commitment to retaining a small-town feel, with a southern standard of living, while growing within it's city limits (no easy task - might I add).  It has already been pointed out that a city need not have height to be a great city.

[Rock2uf]

Here's a possible new development in Gainesville:

1 lot, 2 plans, 3 playersBy JEFF ADELSONSun Staff Writer

    Parking Lot 9 is a 200-foot by 90-foot property that most downtown visitors probably don't pay much attention to as they walk from Gainesville's Downtown Community Plaza to the Hippodrome State Theatre.But in the past few months, three of the most influential forces in the development of downtown Gainesville have zeroed in on the relatively unimpressive property, at SE 2nd Avenue and SE 1st Street next to the Star Garage, creating two radically different visions for the site's future.

See full article at:  

http://www.gainesvil...=73213340886168

[Dale]

Wow !

Hey, are there any plans for that vacant lot immediately to the northwest of the hippodrome ?

[Rock2uf]

Not that I know of, Dale.  Hopefully someone will develop that site soon.  That's the last remaining eyesore around the Hippodrome area.  The ball is slowly picking up speed.  


Here's another recent article from the Sun:

"An urban transformation?"
By JEFF ADELSON
Sun staff writer

http://www.gainesvil...L/50706007/1078


The rumor around town is that the center median through this corridor (SW 2nd Avenue from Main St. to 13th St.) will be lined with date palms.  Should be a vast improvement.  I would have liked to seen some sort of shade tree (live oaks preferably) planted instead of palms, but there is a sewer line right down the center of the roadway.  The palms will be nice, I guess.  They have already broke ground on this project.

[Dale]

Thanks, Rock. I do know that at one time, BofA (then Barnett Bank) considered building its Gainesville flagship bank on the site.

[dgreen]

Have they started building these developments yet?

[Rock2uf]

dgreen,

I assume you mean the last two developments that were discussed?  The parking lot 9 parcel is very early in the planning stages.  The SW 2nd Ave. has just begun.

Here's the other two major projects.  The West University Ave. Lofts project construction is going quickly.  All three floors are framed.  Brickwork should start soon.

As for the University Corners project, I think the developer is waiting for a few more leases to end.  I believe all previous leases will end in August.  Then the final stages of demolition.  Then construction.  It's gonna be sweet!

I've recently heard of two more large projects coming in Gainesville, both are planned along south SW 13th St. near UF.  One is a four-story mixed use project across from campus.  Another is a five-story 200-unit multi-family development with a four-story parking garage.  This project is located near the intersection of Archer Rd. and SW 13th St.  

Urban infill is picking up, at least around the UF campus.  The challenge will be to spread this development more towards downtown.

[dgreen]

Rock2uf, on Jul 9 2005, 02:34 AM, said:

dgreen,

I assume you mean the last two developments that were discussed?  The parking lot 9 parcel is very early in the planning stages.  The SW 2nd Ave. has just begun.

Here's the other two major projects.  The West University Ave. Lofts project construction is going quickly.  All three floors are framed.  Brickwork should start soon.

As for the University Corners project, I think the developer is waiting for a few more leases to end.  I believe all previous leases will end in August.  Then the final stages of demolition.  Then construction.  It's gonna be sweet!

I've recently heard of two more large projects coming in Gainesville, both are planned along south SW 13th St. near UF.  One is a four-story mixed use project across from campus.  Another is a five-story 200-unit multi-family development with a four-story parking garage.  This project is located near the intersection of Archer Rd. and SW 13th St. 

Urban infill is picking up, at least around the UF campus.  The challenge will be to spread this development more towards downtown.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sounds like Gville is coming alive.  
How far away are the last two projects you mentioned (13th St)?
thanks.

[Rock2uf]

Timeline for both?  The larger development was approved by the city commission two-weeks ago (the project is a PUD).  So, it's probably at least a year before ground is broken, the way things around here go.  

The other one, I'm not sure about.  The city commission just approved a change in zoning for the property.  The property was zoned residential.  The developer had it changed to mixed use high density.  The developer owns the entire property (two parcels or so), so the front end of the project won't be as slow as University Corners has been.  

Both projects are within blocks of the UF campus.

I'll keep you updated the best I can.

[Rock2uf]

For those still interested, the Holiday Inn on the corner of 13 St. and University Ave. is finally being painted.  The painting is probably 10% complete.  The horrible pinkish color is being painted over with earthtone colors.  The building is being painted an earthtone brown and a light tan.  It actually looks pretty sharp.  The paintjob is definitely a major improvement.  Hopefully they will get rid of the ugly turquoise awnings while their at it.  Even if not, the paint looks good.

One day I'll learn how to post pictures to keep everyone better informed (all two of you).  Right now, I just don't have time.

[Rock2uf]

The 13th St./Univ. Ave. Holiday Inn is probably 90% painted.  As we all wished, they are getting rid of the turquoise awnings.  The new awnings are maroonish-garnet.  I'm sure the FSU fans out there are smiling about that.  But, I have to admit the hotel looks much more classy (not that garnet has ever been a classy color - hehe).  

Other news, the Target Copy on 13th St. has successfully moved into its new building, the former Specs Music building on W. Univ. Ave.  The interior renovation turned out beautiful.  Hard wood floors, upper-end lighting fixtures, etc.  Funny thing though.  The Specs building was too big for Target Copy's needs, so Target divided the floor plan into three ares.  Target Copy is keeping the largest area in the center of the building.  And, the two areas on the left and right were framed up to seperate these spaces from Target Copy's space.  Both of these leased spaces have storefront entrances facing inside the building.  There are no exterior entrances to either leased space.  It's an interesting setup, almost similar to a shopping mall.  But I think it was a very creative way to use an existing building, and I'm sure Target Copy and its tenants will be successful in the new building.  

The two leased tenants will be Fireside Subs (excellent - because Gainesville does not currently have a Fireside) and The Leasing Connection (basically, an apartment hunter).  Also, there is a small bagel stand/coffee stand in the store as well.  Target Copy also did minor renovations on the exterior of the building, mainly a fresh coat of paint.  When you're in town, check it out.

Edited by Rock2uf, 31 July 2005 - 12:37 PM.

[Jahi98]

FLORIDA SKYRISE ORDER, on Apr 27 2005, 09:32 AM, said:

Seems that Gainesville has caught come of the flu from its northeast called Jacksonvilleitis, i.e., leaders and politicians can't agree on anything or get nothing done!

I have been to Gainesville and it is a beautiful, laid back but decent sized city of almost 100,000 inhabitants.  Sarasota, Florida, with a population of a little over 60,000 has skyscrapers all over its downtown; Gainesville should look like St. Petersburg or even any other major Florida City; instead, it is a cowpoke college town.

The leaders in Gainesville work similar to the leaders in Jacksonville, they can never agree on anything or get anything moving or completed.  A high-rise or several high-rises in downtown Gainesville would really boost the image of this already popular town notorious for its college and educational amenities.

FLORIDA SKYRISE ORDER

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know this is an old quote, but I just had to laugh at the comment of how Gainesville "should look like St. Petersburg or...any other major Florida city." The Gainesville metro is nowhere near St. Pete. Just comparing populations, there are 250k residents in the St. Pete city limits alone, more than all of Alachua County. Sarasota is more comparable to Gainesville/Alachua. The major difference between Sarasota and G'ville is that Sarasota is a coastal city where highrise development is common and pretty much accepted.

Ok, back to the current conversation...

The University Heights area must be the hottest area in the city in terms of redevelopment. I kind of like how a dense, urban environment is steadily being created there with the small apartment and townhouse developments coming up. Hopefully, the University Lofts project will start the process of filling in the gap in activity/urbanity from the University area to the downtown core.

[Rock2uf]

Jahi98,

I also laughed at the same comment you referenced above.  As I've said before (and others on this site), building height does not equal a great city.  And you're right, Gainesville has nothing in common with St. Pete, and very little in common with Sarasota other than size.  Gainesville is actually a pretty unique city when compared to its Florida counterparts.

...but, yeah, the development immediately east of UF is crazy.  Every time I drive through that area, I see a new 3-5 story semi-urban apartment complex going in.  And I have to say, most of them are very attractive structures and they fit nicely in the area.

[Dale]

Rock, what's the latest on University Corners ? I got the impression from the article in the Sun yesterday that the city was reluctant to grant the (last minute ?) incentives package the developer was demanding.

I got the impression they were voting on it last night.

[Rock2uf]

Dale,  

Here is the Sun article that came out today:

http://gainesville.c...160326/1078/APS


I'm torn on this one.  The University Corners will transform the area, but at the same time the developer's request is very steep for a city that has a weak tax base to begin with.  If this project falls through, the developer will be out a crapload of money.

Should be interesting.

[Florida]

[quote name='Rock2uf' date='Jul 31 2005, 02:34 PM']
The 13th St./Univ. Ave. Holiday Inn is probably 90% painted.  As we all wished, they are getting rid of the turquoise awnings.  The new awnings are maroonish-garnet.  I'm sure the FSU fans out there are smiling about that.  But, I have to admit the hotel looks much more classy (not that garnet has ever been a classy color - hehe).