A developer who wants the city to spend $3.3 million in tax money to open a grocery store in an East Gainesville commercial plaza where two stores have previously failed says this time, things will be different.
Jacksonville resident Fred Washington says the proposed Bravo community supermarket at 2302 East Hawthorne Road would be much more than a grocery store. A Save-A-Lot and Food Lion have opened there, but later closed.
The city is asking developers to bring plans for a community grocery store for East Gainesville possibly using American Rescue Plan Act funds or Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area funds.
Developers have until July 22 to share plans for an at least 20,000-square-foot supermarket.
A catalyst for equity : Heartwood Neighborhood project moves forward after City Commission approval alligator.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from alligator.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Gainesville’s long-awaited Heartwood subdivision, on Southeast Eighth Avenue just south of Hawthorne Road, has its first model home and planned construction may allow dozens of families to move in by this time next year.
The neighborhood was originally a housing project funded by a federal program dating back to the Kennedy administration, hence its former Kennedy Homes name, said Daniel Gil, a project manager with the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area.
Over the years, the project fell into disrepair and had to be shut down in the early 2000s due to code violations and damages from a fire, he said.
What actually is built there will be determined by proposals that will soon be sought from developers.
Gainesville city officials, with the help of a real estate company, are trying to revive the project that s been in limbo for several years.
The city recently hired Colliers International to help the city develop guidelines for the project to pique developers interests.
Company hired to market idea to developers
The site is located on Gainesville Regional Utilities properties north of Depot Park and surrounding the Kelly natural gas power plant
Those proposed guidelines, including building heights, will be reviewed by the City Commission in a couple of months after the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area advisory board reviews it first, City Manager Lee Feldman said at workshop earlier this month.
Home/Business and development/After 10 Years, Gainesville’s Heartwood Subdivision Completes First Home
After 10 Years, Gainesville’s Heartwood Subdivision Completes First Home
By Charlene Medders
April 9, 2021
The first home in the Heartwood subdivision of east Gainesville was completed, breaking ground after 10 years of preparation.
David Arreola, a Gainesville city commissioner, said he’s really impressed with the amenities and quality of the home. Arreola, who has been a commissioner for four years, said he’s excited for the growth of this neighborhood because it’s one of the first new subdivisions built in east Gainesville in a long time.
“The city commission, even before my time, has long been putting resources and planning into this project,” he said. “And I’m just lucky enough to be here when it finally comes to fruition.” Arreola said this subdivision will be the first fully integrated mixed income community in Gainesville, and to introduce housin