The Gainesville City Commission decided Thursday to continue forward with redevelopment of its complex at the corner of 8th Avenue and Waldo Road, containing Citizens Field, the MLK Jr. Multipurpose Center, the Dwight H. Hunter Pool and Gainesville Fire Station #3.
Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, who has championed the project since joining in February 2022, crafted the motion that directed staff to move forward on next steps—hiring an architecture firm, exploring strategic planning opportunities and devising an initial funding plan.
City Manager Cynthia Curry said some funds were already available to begin the work.
The decision came after C. H. Johnson Consulting, a hired firm, presented the pro forma and feasibility study it has worked on since March. The study examines the facilities most needed and the regional and community draw of the space.
The report highlighted several strengths for expanding and reinvesting in the area: well educated population with a strong presence of educational institutions, younger population base, average projected growth rate for median household incomes is higher than the County and State, low unemployment rates and the existing facility.
The report also listed weaknesses and threats to the project: slow population growth, lower average median household income, competition with regional assets, lack of quality hotel supply near the site, adjacent state road, cost recovery and accessibility.
Commissioners highlighted several of the opportunities also listed, like reinvesting in the surrounding community and increasing the number of local events.
Soccer found its way into the conversation with several commissioners noting that fields at the renovated complex will increase the opportunities for kids in east Gainesville to play.
Mayor Harvey Ward said adding soccer fields will increase access for kids who can’t drive all the way to Jonesville for games.
“It’s not that they don’t play soccer,” Ward said. “They do play soccer. They just don’t play in leagues because it’s half an hour or more to where the leagues happen on Saturday.”
The city hasn’t finalized exactly what or how many changes will occur. Projects include redoing Citizens Field with artificial turf, a track around the field, new locker rooms and restrooms; adding five lighted, outdoor fields for soccer or other events; renovated MLK Jr. Center with four multi-purpose rooms, a performance stage, basketball courts, concessions and 1,000 parking spaces.
The plan also looked at changing the flow of traffic for easier entry and exit.
Commissioner Reina Saco said the City Commission will need to see the cost and design of the project along with a timeline for the most efficient construction, whether a phased approach or all at once.
Saco said she didn’t think anyone would appreciate 10 years of construction on the corner.
“We have a lot of steps, especially when we look at spending tens of millions of dollars over several years,” Saco said. “So it is slow but deliberate.”
She made clear though that the city will invest in the space, sending a message to businesses and other community partners. Saco said she hopes other economic developers will begin to look at the area so that city and private development can complement each other in services and timelines.
I don’t think all of the suggested developments on the area of 8th Ave and Waldo road are compatible. Like 1000 spaces of parking and five soccer fields. Where is all this space and what will be sacrificed to free it up? Artificial turf? The grass that’s there now is wonderful in all seasons. Soccer? There are soccer goalposts on site at citizen’s field and they are rarely used. I have seen soccer games played in the stadium field on saturdays. The commission needs to get it right as to the need for more soccer space and facilities. I have seen volleyball games on the sand volleyball court and jbaskets being shot behind the MLK facility. Particularly popular is the skateboarding court. It’s all there.
The citizen’s field park is very very nice the way it is and it serves the area well, in my opinion.
My son played soccer from the age of five through high school. We’ve been to countless games at the fields next to and inside citizen’s park stadium. My main comment would be NOT go with artificial turf. The disadvantages of turf have been known for years-it retains heat meaning it will be much hotter for players, coaches and officials. Given our climate issues, it is hard to see anyone thinks turf would be preferable to grass. Also the rate of injuries is far far higher as turf does not have any give. I agree it is difficult to imagine where an additional 1000 parking spaces will cone from unless it is from the large filed west of the stadium.
Leave our field alone. It is a symbol of when Gainesville was pretty
Cynthia c we do not want to be like Ne Gainesville crowded, loud and treeless. Do it beside your house instead