Alachua County selected an architect last week to design plans for its new Animal Resources shelter, but timelines remain uncertain as negotiations continue with UF over the operations of the shelter, planned on university-managed property. 

The negotiations began nearly two years ago with plans to build a new shelter starting at least five years ago. Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler said at the county’s meeting that she worried about getting into a contract with UF and the slow manner of the negotiations.  

“My experience with the university is just that we are probably not a priority,” Wheeler said in an interview. 

The first phase of negotiations ended around a year ago and concerned leasing the UF’s Swine Unit (2345 SW 23rd Terrace) where the shelter would be built. At the time, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 4-1 to move forward with negotiations over the operations.  

County Manager Michele Lieberman said at the time that staff had searched for other locations while talking with UF, but the time had come to commit with the university or move away from the option.  

Those negotiations continue, and Lieberman said at the meeting that staff could work on details for another six months if allowed. But she said the negotiations have risen to her level and the county wants to reach overarching terms (including the responsibilities of UF staff versus county staff) that can be sent to legal staff to start a contract. 

In an interview, Wheeler said she’s not sure about moving forward with the university after a number of problem partnerships. She cited Alachua General Hospital from 2010 along with more recent programs like the Ecoloop, medical examiner’s office, Maguire Village and the Hickory Sink property purchase west of Gainesville.  

She also pointed out that the land will be leased, possibly presenting problems down the line, and said she’s been searching for other land options.  

Commissioner Mary Alford addressed the issue of leasing the property at the end of the meeting. She said people are concerned about the leasing aspect and asked if the county could negotiate the 25-year lease every five years. Then, the county would have a long heads-up if the contract were to expire. 

However, the other commissioners overall showed support to continuing the partnership with UF. 

Commissioner Ken Cornell said he didn’t disagree with Wheeler’s list of grievances, and he said he might be brainwashed from a lifetime of living in Gator territory. UF, he said, is the 800-pound gorilla in the state of Florida, not just Alachua County, and the county has to work with it. 

When the university leans into a project, Cornell said the community benefits, and while UF may not have leaned into the animal shelter project yet, he said it will come.  

He said he’s willing to put up with the long negotiations for what will be a good project: Alachua County partnering with UF’s veterinary school to provide animal services in a central location.  

Commissioner Anna Prizzia said UF, like the county, is a large organization with many partnerships. Some that end in good experiences and others that don’t. Prizzia and Alford pointed to UF’s Eastside Urgent Care Clinic as a recent successful partnership along with UF Health and its ambulance services.  

“I think that this particular negotiation is difficult, but just because it’s hard doesn’t mean that it’s wrong,” Alford said.  

She said the negotiations are difficult in part because legal staff are making sure it’s a good partnership. Lieberman said a meeting is being planned with UF Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini.  

“I’ve told the manager all along that I am opposed to this contract and working with them because I do not feel like we’re in a strong position when working with the University of Florida in terms of protecting our interests,” Wheeler said, saying recent contract negotiations between UF and another party had settled her position.  

At the meeting, the BOCC approved hiring Borrelli & Partners, Inc. to design the building. Before construction starts, the property will need to be made ready and the contract will need to return to the BOCC for approval or more negotiations. 

Julie Johnson, director of animal services, said the biggest needs for the shelter are more space and a better flow for staff and patrons.  

The current shelter, built in 1987 and located off NW 53rd Avenue, was designed for a different system that euthanized animals after short stays. She said the new shelter will be less like a jail for the animals and work better for staff.  

She said the design created by the architects will be able to go on any plot of land.  

As Alachua County grows, she said the shelter needs more space. More residents mean more pets (around 1.5 more pets per new house), Johnson said. Most of those pets will never go to the shelter, but the risks go up.  

“We’ve got a lot of big ambitions; we’ll see how it all goes does the line,” Johnson said about the new shelter.