The Thelma Boltin Center, Gainesville’s longest-running Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) project, is planned for Phase 1 construction this year, likely starting in July.  

The center closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the city’s renovation plans were paused after structural issues with the World War II-era building were discovered. After a vote to demolish the building, a recension, a vote for a $5.6 million partial restoration and then an alternate vote to designate $1.5 million in repairs, the city and its contractor, Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc., are working on plans to bring new use to the center.  

“We’re trying to make it so that it’s structurally sound and safe for the community again, and so we’ve had a lot of false starts,” Peter McNiece, WSPP project manager, said. 

McNiece said the city actually has $3 million for the project, the $1.5 million in Wild Spaces, Public Places (WSPP) funds approved by the city, and a matching grant from Alachua County.  

But he said staff is still waiting to see how far those funds will stretch in Phase 1, structural improvements. 

The building will require a new roof and trusses along with possible changes to the foundation and supports for the walls, McNiece said. The city also asked Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc. to look at drainage improvements for the area that lies in a bit of a dip.  

He said the years of disuse, and prep work for the initial demolition, have taken their toll on the Boltin Center just like with any building. He said staff have noticed places where remediation work will need to happen from moisture and the hot and humid air.  

McNiece said the city would like to see the first phase cost around $1 million, leaving a good chunk for Phase 2’s interior work on HVAC, lighting and the like. Plans for Phase 1 will be coming in stages from now through July, and McNiece said city staff will evaluate the next steps after that.  

A worst case would be Phase 1 eating up the majority of the budget. 

Regardless, the Phase 1 improvements will stabilize the building for future use, and McNiece said a lot of citizens will be glad to see something positive at the site. In the past five years, staff got the building ready for demolition, put a tarp over the roof and installed a fence for upcoming construction.  

“It looks like nothing much has been done for quite some time now while the architects prepare their documents, so we’re anxious to make some progress out there as well so that the community can see that we’re moving forward,” McNiece said.  

McNiece said the surrounding community remains involved, with some forming a Friends of the Thelma Boltin Center group. He said the neighbors are the first to let city staff know when something seems amiss on site.  

He said the commission has kept tabs on the project and will likely be involved in decisions on how Phase 2 moves forward.