GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Construction for new developments in East Gainesville are underway including a healthcare facility, a transit hub, and fire station.
The project is called the Cornerstone Campus and is part of the city’s Eastside Health and Economic Development Initiative. It’s being done in phases which include the new developments as well renovations to the Gainesville Technology and Entrepreneurship Center.
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- Construction site for a new fire station under Cornerstone Phase 2. Courtesy: Ryann Dickerson/352today
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- Construction site for a new UF Health Center in East Gainesville. Courtesy: Ryann Dickerson/352today
Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward says they listened to what residents said they needed in the community and responded accordingly.
“The City of Gainesville through partnerships with the federal government and the University of Florida will be building out an RTS transfer hub so that folks who live just steps from the construction behind me will be able to get anywhere in the metro area efficiently and quickly and will be able to take advantage of jobs and services across our area and bring that money back here to Southeast Gainesville,” Ward told reporters on Friday.
Ward says the new UF Health Urgent Care Center will have additional diagnostic equipment, a CTE scan machine, an onsite laboratory as well as a community meeting space. He says the city is in discussions that would bring a new grocery store to the area as well.
“We are hoping that helps folks in the neighborhoods around us thrive. Reinvestment of public resources that comes in many cases, particularly the GCRA [Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area] dollars, from the pockets of the people who live in this area being reinvested next door to their neighborhoods,” said Ward.
He says these projects will change the quality of life for thousands of people in the area. Ward added that he is particularly excited about the new transit hub which will include 50 park and ride spaces next to the hub. He anticipates it will be finished within the year.
Rick Smith, director of the GCRA, says the plan also calls for about a quarter million square feet of retail commercial office development.
“We’re looking forward to the completion of the infrastructure work, the creation of additional development pads, and potentially the location of a grocery store here which could really catalyze growth,” said Smith.
Smith added that he hopes the development will attract a bank as well.
Bill Dorman, GCRA manager for GTEC, believes the new developments as well as the renovations to the GTEC building will draw more people to the area.
“The more energy that we can create, the more things we have going on over here, the more people get comfortable coming over here, get familiar with the area and are more likely to do things,” said Dorman.
