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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ALACHUA – The Alachua Chamber of Commerce has awarded $22,000 in grants to six local organizations, providing crucial funding to support educational initiatives, youth programs, and community development efforts. The funding was made possible through the Chamber’s annual SportsFest Golf Tournament, held at the Turkey Creek Golf Course in Alachua.

The grant recipients include Irby Elementary, Alachua Elementary, Santa Fe High PTSA, Santa Fe High School Hospitality Council, a joint Mebane Middle/Kiwanis Club initiative, and the City of Alachua Recreation Department. These organizations will utilize the funds to encourage positive student behavior, improve school attendance, enhance career awareness programs, and provide scholarships in sports, arts, history, and robotics.

During the most recent Chamber Luncheon, a record-breaking crowd gathered to celebrate the contributions of the SportsFest Golf Tournament and the impact of the grants. With standing-room-only attendance, the luncheon underscored the community’s strong support for local youth and educational initiatives.

SportsFest Golf Tournament Chair Shelley Vickers highlighted the importance of the event, emphasizing the lasting impact it has on the next generation. “Our community came together to celebrate the incredible work the Alachua Chamber is doing for our youth,” said Vickers. “The energy in the room was incredible, proving once again the Alachua Chamber’s commitment to uplifting our community’s future leaders.”

The Sportsfest golf tournament takes place annually the Saturday before Father’s Day and is a collaboration between the Alachua Chamber of Commerce, community partners, and local businesses. The golf tournament not only serves as a competitive and enjoyable day for participants but also plays a key role in raising funds to benefit local schools and community programs. Businesses that sponsor the event gain visibility while directly contributing to initiatives that strengthen the educational and recreational opportunities available to Alachua’s youth.

The Chamber’s commitment to investing in the future of Alachua remains evident through these grant awards. “These funds will directly impact our youth by promoting positive behavior, increasing school attendance, boosting career awareness, and funding scholarships in sports, arts, history, and robotics,” said Vickers.

By fostering community partnerships and supporting youth-centered programs, the Chamber continues to play a vital role in enhancing not only economic development but educational opportunities as well.

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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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ALACHUA COUNTY – The future of a landmark building on North East Waldo Road is in jeopardy as the City of Gainesville eyes the property for a recreational complex around Citizens Field Stadium.

Ninety-two-year-old Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 was recently contacted by the economic development office of the city, and advised that some or all of the veteran organization’s home may have to make way for a planned development.  Under a more detailed proposal sent this week, the post’s building may need to be demolished to build a revitalized municipal sports and multiuse park.

Surrounded in the post’s main meeting hall by military memorabilia stretching from World War II to the present day, regular VFW members and the auxiliary discussed the new challenges now facing the local veterans’ organization.  It was the main topic at the post’s general membership meeting March 13. 

“In general, we’re all for the idea of progress, but my first responsibility is to the post and its membership,” said VFW Post 2811 Quartermaster Avery Owen, a retired master sergeant with the 3rd Bn, 20th Special Forces Group of the Florida Army National Guard.  “Most of us are local veterans, and live close to the post.  This part of the city has needed something like this for quite some time.”

According to one proposal submitted by the city, a new and larger competition-style swimming pool will replace the Dwight H. Hunter Pool.  Next to that, a bigger Martin Luther King Jr. Multi-Purpose Center is planned, as well as walking and jogging trails, and outdoor tennis and pickleball courts.

Also under consideration is a playground and multi-purpose fields.  In all, the Citizens Field Revitalization Project will cover approximately 36 acres.

“This is the type of thing we like to see here,” said VFW Post 2811 Commander Jim Johnson, a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam.  “I’m glad that the city is making us part of the planning stage, and reached out to us.”

Alachua County VFW Post 2811 was contacted by the City of Gainesville under a schedule of public and stakeholder engagement meetings.  City officials intend to make a more detailed presentation - as well as a question-and-answer session - to post and auxiliary members within the next two months.

Until that time, the post is considering its options.  These would include seeing if some of the property could be set aside to build a new post home, relocating the post to a new venue, merging with another post, or turning in the post’s charter.

“The last thing on our minds is folding the post,” said Owen.  “Our mission here and our history in the community is too important.”

Founded 125 years ago, the VFW is essentially a grassroots organization, with posts like the Alachua County one at the local level, districts at the regional level, and departments at the state level, as well as national leadership.  Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 has been active since May 21, 1933.  It has approximately 200 members.

The quartermaster gave an example of the post’s outreach to fellow veterans.

“A couple Wednesdays ago, a homeless veteran arrived here with his family,” Owen said.  “Their car had broken down, and they literally walked in here because they had nowhere else to turn to before they could secure an apartment within a few days.  The post paid for them to stay in a hotel until they were able to get a more permanent place to live.”

“This is what we’re here for,” Johnson said.  “We honor the sacrifices made by our fellow veterans by helping those in need.  If we were just another social club, we wouldn’t be so driven to continue in this community.  We’re hoping everything works out for the best.”

Those interested in VFW Post 2811 and its activities can call 352-376-7660.

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Michael P. Mauer is a life member of VFW Post 2811. He served as an Army photojournalist during Operation Desert Storm, and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf for his actions during the war. This past year, Mauer won the Silver Award for top feature article in the VFW National Publications Contest.

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