Agenda (PDF)

General Policy Committee · 2026-08-13 · agenda

[Tax Parcel 10515-010-002 (for Citizens Field agreement); case 2026-510, 2026-553, 2026-554] The document is a City of Gainesville General Policy Committee meeting agenda for August 13, 2026, containing three business discussion items. Item 2026-510 proposes a Streatery Business Improvement Grant Program, a $500,000 time-limited grant program administered by the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA) to incentivize exterior improvements to private property in the area around The Streatery reconstruction project. The program area is approximately bounded by West University Ave (North) to SW 2nd Ave (South) and South Main St (East) to SW 2nd St (West). The maximum award is $50,000 per distinct business/address, with a two-tier funding structure: Tier 1 provides 100% funding on the first $15,000 of eligible expenses, and Tier 2 provides a 50% matching grant on eligible expenses between $15,000.01 and $70,000. The recommendation is for the General Policy Committee to approve the program and allocate $500,000 in funding from the GCRA budget. Item 2026-553 is a bi-annual update on the Wild Spaces & Public Places (WSPP) Department, including a recommendation to approve current and future projects, request Alachua County to reallocate a $1.5 million grant from the Thelma Boltin Center Renovation project to the NE 8th Ave at Waldo Road Redevelopment project, and authorize the City Manager to enter into a funding agreement with Alachua County for the NE 8th Avenue at Waldo Road Redevelopment project in the amount of $2.5 million. Item 2026-554 requests approval of agreements related to the transfer of Citizens Field to the School Board of Alachua County (SBAC), including a Purchase and Sale Agreement for a 4.783 acre portion of Tax Parcel 10515-010-002, and an Interlocal Agreement for the construction of a new sports and recreational facility by SBAC and associated infrastructure by the City. The proposed agreements will result in $5.5 million in revenues to the City from SBAC. The document also includes minutes from the July 23, 2026, General Policy Committee meeting, which detail prior actions including approval of funding for the Hope @ Debra Heights Affordable Rental Housing Project in the form of a loan in the amount of $460,000.00. No public comment or stakeholder sentiment is stated in the document. [Tax Parcel 10515-010-002; case 2026-554; 2026-554A] The document is a City of Gainesville agenda item report and presentation regarding a proposed agreement with the School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) for the transfer and redevelopment of Citizens Field. The recommendation is to authorize the City Manager to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement for a 4.783 acre portion of Tax Parcel 10515-010-002, and an Interlocal Agreement for construction of a new sports and recreational facility by SBAC and associated infrastructure by the City. The proposed agreements would result in $5.5 million in revenues to the City from SBAC, including a $500,000 purchase price. The City's obligations include providing stormwater treatment, stubbing upgraded utilities, providing parking, and maintaining stormwater and parking in perpetuity. SBAC's obligations include budgeting $22 to $25 million for facility construction, including a turf field, seating for 3,000 to 5,000 spectators, and field lighting for televised events. The document also lists numerous other park and recreation projects in various phases (completed, current, and future), including Duval Nature Park Improvements, Hippodrome Historic Elevator Repair, NE 31st Avenue Trail, Tom Petty Park, Wilhelmina Johnson Center Renovation, Bivens Arm Nature Park Boardwalk Reconstruction, Ring Park Wildflower Garden, Sweetwater Recreational Trail, SW 47th Avenue Trail, SE 8th Avenue Shared Use Path, Hippodrome 3rd Floor Window Replacement, Greentree Dog Park, Boulware Springs Nature Park and Historic Waterworks Building, Morningside Nature Center Master Plan, Bo Diddley Plaza Stage Reconstruction, TB McPherson Building Renovation & Site Master Plan, Thomas Center Condition Assessment, Thelma Boltin Trailhead, Serenola Park, 8th and Waldo, Sweetwater Branch Park, Bivens Arm Nature Park Entry Improvements, and PRCA Master Plan. The staff recommendation is to approve the Wild Spaces & Public Places current and future projects, request Alachua County to reallocate a $1.5 million grant from the Thelma Boltin Center Renovation project to the NE 8th Ave at Waldo Rd Redevelopment Project, and authorize the City Manager to enter into a funding agreement with Alachua County for the NE 8th Avenue at Waldo Road Redevelopment project in the amount of $2.5 million. The document also notes that on June 16, 2026, SBAC declined to continue negotiations for a Citizens Field stadium, but on July 29, 2026, authorized entering into a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Interlocal with the City. A public workshop is to be scheduled in approximately 60 days to discuss stadium options. No public comment sentiment is stated in the document.