Alachua County Today staff photographer

ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua welcomed dozens of local residents and business owners to Alachua’s Theatre Park on Main Street March 27, 2025, to celebrate the receipt of a $50,000 grant from T-Mobile. Alachua was one of just 25 municipalities to receive the Mobile Hometown Grant this year. According to a T-Mobile representative who presented the ceremonial check, the City of Alachua is the only in the greater central Florida area to receive one of these grants from T-Mobile.

Alachua’s Community Redevelopment Agency Coordinator Susan King has been applying on behalf of the City for the grant for three years. The grant will add funds to help fulfill a growing list of plans for renovations in Theatre Park.

A plan to refresh and reimagine the City of Alachua’s iconic park has been underway for more than a year. On Alachua’s picturesque Main Street, the hidden gem known best as “Theatre Park” has seen better years. An overgrowth of vines, a dilapidated arbor, and structural uncertainty have left the park in a less attractive condition.

A variety of designs for the park’s renovations were presented in May 2024 by Monarch Design Group. Among the plans were two overall design themes for the entryway to the park. The City settled on a black powder coated façade for a wrought iron appearance in the gap above the front wall and the archways.

In addition to entryway designs, Monarch Design Group also presented a variety of accompanying interior elements for the park, such as brick pavers, new lighting, a stage, seating, and Florida friendly landscaping.

As a result of the deteriorating conditions within the park, the initial priority in the redesign are the structural elements. Without a roof over the park, rainfall can become trapped and potentially seep through into adjoining buildings. Use of landscaping requiring irrigation in the park exacerbates flooding concerns. Vines posed a risk of damage to the historic brick walls. The arbor, which once served as a tranquil and picturesque backdrop appears to be on the verge of collapse. Hosting live music in the park is untenable without sufficient shade and protection from the elements.

The multiphase renovations will include a small stage with handicap access and the flexibility to install a temporary overhead screen or shield to protect performers from the elements. To increase the viability as study, lunch, relaxation, and gathering space, additional but limited seating is also planned.

When initially assessed in 2024, Assistant City Manager Rodolfo Valladares, who is a Professional Engineer, said the City was planning to develop solutions to divert or dispose of rainwater, possibly using a French drain system. Valladares commented that the projected cost of dealing with the structural concerns together with needed renovations to other elements of the park vastly exceed the CRA’s budgeted $150,000, noting that it would likely become a multiphase project, with solutions starting from “the ground up.”

Located at 14900 Main Street in the heart of downtown, what is now an openair park was once a drycleaner and then a movie house, according to a walking tour developed in 1986 by Alachua County Historical Commission and the Alachua County Tour Service.

In March 2011, the Alachua City Commission authorized structural modifications to Theatre Park in order to make the structure safer. For several months, the park remained closed as a scaffolding system was installed over the brick archways on the streetside opening where there were structural concerns over the ability of the entry to withstand high wind loads.

The 2011 project included removing the top portion of the walls to reduce the wind load on the structure as a whole. The removal included the top 12 feet from the front wall and up to six feet from the side walls.

A report from Driscoll Engineering at the time stated that the outer walls of the theatre park constituted an “immediate safety hazard” because of the lack of support and risk of falling debris. The scaffolding system was a temporary measure to protect pedestrian traffic until more lasting repairs could be completed.

Costing in excess of $40,000, the renovations, which included repairs to the east wall of the park, construction of two new columns and reinforced fiberglass rods, were paid for by the Downtown Redevelopment Trust board (DRTB), which was the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) at the time.

The park, which is frequently used for special occasions and is one of the most photographed spots in Alachua was reopened in June 2011.

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ALACHUA ‒ Just over a year after breaking ground, construction is steadily advancing on Alachua County Fire Station 21, a long-planned project aimed at enhancing emergency response and modernizing fire rescue infrastructure in the growing northwest portion of the county.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new station, located at 16121 N.W. 173rd Street (County Road 235-A) in the city of Alachua, was held on March 19, 2024. It was attended by members of the Alachua County Commission and staff, Alachua County Fire Rescue, the Alachua City Commission, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and members of the public.

Now well into its construction phase, the $7 million project will replace the current Station 21 at 15040 N.W. U.S. Highway 441, across from Alachua Elementary School. Once complete, the new station will enhance emergency coverage in western Alachua while complementing Fire Station 25, which recently opened in the Tech City area to serve the eastern side of the city and surrounding county.

Station 21 is the second Alachua County Fire Rescue facility to follow the county’s new prototype fire station design, with Station 80 in Gainesville being the first. The 11,500-square-foot, single-story structure is designed to meet modern safety and efficiency standards and is expected to serve the community for 50 years or more.

Features include three drive-through bays, 10 bunkrooms, backup generator power, and energy-efficient equipment and systems. The building also incorporates sustainable design elements to meet environmental goals.

At opening, the station will be staffed 24/7 by six fire rescue personnel and will house an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Fire Engine, an ALS Ambulance, a brush truck, a water tanker, and a District Chief. The design allows for future expansion as the community continues to grow.

“The station is designed to house 10 people, and as this area continues to grow, strong consideration is needed in adding an aerial apparatus to serve this area,” Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “We have recognized the need for a new Station 21 for decades and with the addition of Fire Station 25 in the Tech City area, it makes sense to move to a different location within the city.”

Alachua County Fire Chief Theus previously estimated a 12-month construction timeline, placing completion sometime in early to mid-2025. The new location was strategically selected to better align with the city's development patterns and to reduce response times in key areas.

As construction progresses toward completion, county officials say the new facility marks a significant investment in public safety and reflects a commitment to long-term planning for emergency services in Alachua County.

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UPDATED 04.02.2025 5:42 p.m. - GAINESVILLE ‒ A lawsuit alleging incidents of a “sexual” nature at Santa Fe High School, brought by Anneke Acree on behalf of her child, has been dismissed.

The amended complaint, dated Jan. 8, 2025, stemmed from an initial filing on Oct. 30, 2024, against both the Alachua County School Board and the City of Alachua.

On Monday, March 31, 2025, Circuit Judge Donna Keim dismissed Count III (negligence per se) against the City of Alachua with prejudice—barring the plaintiff from refiling the same claim.

On Tuesday, April 1, Judge Keim also dismissed both remaining claims against the Alachua County School Board: Count I (negligent supervision) and Count II (negligence per se). Count II was dismissed with prejudice, while Count I was dismissed without prejudice—though the judge's order casts doubt on whether any amendment could keep the case alive.

As to the count lodged against the City of Alachua, the judge stated the negligence theory advanced by Acree’s attorney, based on an alleged violation of statute, is premised on an unknown City employee's failure to comply with the child abuse reporting guidelines of Chapter 39, Florida Statutes. “Notably, Plaintiff does not identify the City employee or employees purported to have been negligent, nor does she articulate what knowledge is imputed to the City regarding the alleged abuse,” the judge wrote.

Additionally, Judge Keim clarified that courts in Florida have repeatedly ruled that Chapter 39 does not give individuals the right to sue over a failure to report abuse. Unless a law clearly states that people can file lawsuits, or lawmakers intended for it to be an option, no such right exists. This has been confirmed in several court cases, the judge said.

The Count II negligence per se claim against the Alachua County School Board was dismissed with prejudice for the same reasons as the count against the City of Alachua. In other words, the allegations by Acree are vague, and the legal theory advanced by Acree’s attorney is statutorily unsound.

Finally, the court left little room for hope on Count I against the Alachua County School Board, which is titled as “Negligent Supervision.” In ruling on that issue, the court found that under Florida's Impact Rule, a plaintiff can only recover damages for emotional distress in this type of case if the person suffered a physical injury, a direct impact, or if their emotional distress has caused physical symptoms. The judge held in this case that the alleged physical manifestations of emotional distress clearly fell outside of the exceptions to the “impact rule,” contrary to those arguments put forth by Acree’s attorney. In fact, court cases cited by the court specifically found that the types of “trauma” allegedly suffered by the student are precisely the types that elude any exception to the impact rule.

Although the judge left the door open for Acree to file an amended complaint, the outlook for the plaintiff is bleak. “The Court believes additional amendment to the Complaint is likely futile as the detailed facts previously alleged clearly fail to state a cause of action against this Defendant due to the impact rule.” However, Judge Keim is allowing Acree 10 days to attempt to file a second amended complaint. A failure to file an amended complaint will close the case without further order.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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HIGH SPRINGS – A roughly 3,700 square-foot McDonald’s is being planned for High Springs. According to City of High Springs Plan Board documents, the restaurant is expected to be operational in 2026. Although the project has generated considerable discussions, both online and at the Plan Board’s March 17, 2025, meeting, the site plan was approved in a 4-1 vote.

In addition to traffic concerns, some people expressed concerns over a planned sign for the new restaurant. The sign would have an overall height of 18 feet, including the post on which it would be mounted. It would also be LED illuminated and be constructed of McDonald’s typical red and yellow polycarbonate faces.

A traffic study was conducted for the fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru on the west side of U.S. 41 at Northwest 204^th Avenue in High Springs. The study found that the section of US 41 from CR 236 to the restaurant's entrance is currently handling traffic well and is expected to continue doing so when the restaurant opens in 2026.

However, the stretch of U.S. 41 between the restaurant’s entrance and Northwest 212^th Avenue already experiences heavier-than-ideal traffic, and this is expected to continue in 2026, even without the new restaurant.

The restaurant itself will add only a small number of cars to this already busy section – seven southbound vehicles in the morning peak hour and four northbound vehicles in the evening peak hour. According to Walsh Traffic Engineering, which conducted the traffic study, because the road would still need improvements regardless of the new development, the restaurant’s developer is not responsible for making any upgrades under Florida law.

At intersections studied in the area, all stop-sign-controlled approaches currently function at a satisfactory level and are expected to continue doing so after the restaurant is built. Additionally, the study found that a right-turn lane for southbound traffic on U.S. 41 at the restaurant’s entrance is not necessary. However, a left-turn lane for northbound traffic is recommended at the Tractor Supply driveway.

Part of the proposed plan calls for a cross-access easement that would permit traffic to enter the restaurant parking lot via the Tractor Supply entrance. The plans call for the modern dual drive through arrangement and curbside pickup parking.

The site is already zoned appropriately for the proposed restaurant. The nearest residential neighbor would be about 200 feet west southwest of the proposed site. The plans call for extensive landscaping and irrigation plan, with specific plantings, with the developer providing precisely 30 canopy trees and 23 understory trees as required by the City’s code. While the project would only be required to provide 261 shrubs, the developer has proposed to plant 1,052 shrubs, primarily along the site’s perimeter.

The project will require additional approval from the City Commission before developers can begin breaking ground on the site.

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