Alachua County OKs container home project at Scottish Inn

The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted Tuesday to start a pilot permanent supportive housing program to build 23 units at the Scottish Inn off US 441. 

The BOCC unanimously approved $1.5 million for the project, with Commissioner Charles Chestnut IV absent. The BOCC also authorized funding for two joint projects with Newberry and deferred a decision on a development in Jonesville. 

At the Scottish Inn, the housing will be individual, container units—built from repurposed shipping containers. Commissioner Mary Alford asked staff to look into the option last year.  

County staff said GRACE Marketplace employees had concerns about placing the pilot program on its property, especially if the units lacked a kitchen or shower. Alachua County purchased the Scottish Inn in November 2023 and said at the time that the property was large enough for detached units. 

The motion also directed county staff to work with GRACE Marketplace and the city of Gainesville to create a masterplan for the emergency shelter property.  

Commission Ken Cornell read a memo concerning how the city and county can address homelessness moving forward. In it, he emphasized the separate tracks the two governments agreed on, with Gainesville focused on emergency services and Alachua County looking at permanent supportive housing.  

He said the city asked for assistance on homelessness outreach last year but has since approved other programs, showing it has funds to move around.  

Cornell added that the city should focus Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area funds on homelessness as well.  

“We can’t invest in a downtown area if we’re not addressing [homelessness],” Cornell said. 

Commissioner Anna Prizzia said a constant push-and-pull battle with the city over funds won’t help the situation. She said the language coming from the city—saying partners need to step up—hasn’t been helpful either.   

“We don’t like to be told what to do any more than the city does,” Prizzia said. 

She noted that even if the city put everyone in emergency shelters, the county lacks even close to enough supportive housing for the next step.  

Cornell said that’s why the county must use every dollar on permanent supportive housing instead of filling the city’s financial holes.  

Also at Tuesday’s regular meeting, the county approved infrastructure surtax funds for two Newberry projects.  

The first is a renovation of SW 15^th Avenue. The project will cost $1.25 million, and the county approved $333,333 for the project—the full amount allowed. The renovation will add on street parking, sidewalks, lighting and stormwater management.  

The second project is adding paved parking at Jimmy Durden Park. Alachua County allocated $200,000 for the project, expected to cost $400,000.