Misplaced Pages

#534465

47-611: The Thomas Center , formerly known as Hotel Thomas and Sunkist Villa , is an historic building in Gainesville , Florida , United States . It was built starting in 1910 in the Classical Revival style by noted Atlanta -based architect, William Augustus Edwards , designer of academic buildings at 12 institutions in Georgia , South Carolina and Florida, including the original University of Florida campus, as well as

94-402: A two-round system , i.e., if no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election ensues between the two candidates who received the most votes. The mayor and other commissioners are elected to a term the length of which is in transition; in any case, neither the mayor nor any other commissioner may serve more than two consecutive terms, excepting following a partial term created by

141-651: A $ 98 million tax incentive program by the city, was to be "a crowning jewel of the city's redevelopment efforts", 450 condos and hotel units and 98,000 square feet (9,100 m ) of retail space in eight stories covering three city blocks, on 3.4 acres (1.4 ha) purchased for $ 15.5 million. 19 thriving businesses were demolished in April 2007, but in May 2008 deposit checks were refunded to about 105 people who reserved units, and in July 2008 developers spent "$ 120,000 to beautify

188-405: A corporate board of directors , in addition to appointing several professional staff persons. The mayor is presiding officer of the city commission and has a voice and a vote in its proceedings but no veto power. The current mayor is Harvey Ward , a registered Democrat who took office in 2023. Click here to see a list of mayors of Gainesville Municipal elections are nonpartisan and use

235-492: A dozen or more county courthouses in those states plus other building and houses, The building began as the private home of William Reuben Thomas , his wife Kathryn, and their five children, when it was known as Sunkist Villa. In 1928 Thomas more than doubled the size of the home and converted it to a hotel. On July 16, 1973, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places . The Thomas Center celebrated its 100th anniversary on February 12, 2010. Today

282-433: A federal building. However, revitalization of the city's core has picked up, and the city is replacing many parking lots and underutilized buildings with infill development and near-campus housing that blend with existing historic structures. There is a proposal to rebuild a replica of the old courthouse on a parking lot one block from the original location. Helping in this effort are the number of areas and buildings added to

329-558: A freeze. Like the rest of the state, cold temperatures are almost always accompanied by clear skies and high pressure systems ; snow is therefore rare. Temperatures reaching 100 °F (38 °C) or falling below 20 °F (−7 °C) are rare, having respectively last occurred on June 4, 2019, and January 11, 2010. The city's flora and fauna are also distinct from coastal regions of the state, and include many deciduous species, such as dogwood , maple, hickory and sweet gum , alongside palms, live oaks , and other evergreens. This allows

376-573: A possible 100 points in the Cities Ranked and Rated guide, as the downside to the low cost of living is an extremely weak local job market that is oversupplied with college-educated residents. Gainesville's median income is slightly below the U.S. average. Gainesville heavily promoted solar power by creating the first feed-in tariff (FIT) in the United States. The FIT allowed small businesses and homeowners to supply electricity into

423-647: A vacancy. Mayoral terms are reckoned separately from terms as another commissioner, allowing a commissioner to serve more consecutive terms by alternating between the positions. Law enforcement is provided by Gainesville Police Department , except on the University of Florida campus, which operates the University Police Department. Fire protection within the city limits is provided by the Gainesville Fire Rescue, while

470-504: A zip code look-up tool to find your hardiness zone. ARBOR DAY FARM This natural educational center in Nebraska City , Nebraska , is the birthplace of Arbor Day, with 260 acres of land and outdoor exploration. Arbor Day Farm is home to Lied Lodge & Conference Center, an environmentally sustainable hotel with 136 guest rooms and a full-service meeting center dedicated to supporting tree planting, conservation, and stewardship around

517-470: Is archeological evidence, from about 12,000 years ago, of the presence of Paleo-Indians in the Gainesville area, although it is not known if there were any permanent settlements. A Deptford culture campsite existed in Gainesville and was estimated to have been used between 500 BCE and 100 CE. The Deptford people moved south into Paynes Prairie and Orange Lake during the first century and evolved into

SECTION 10

#1732798030535

564-508: Is dominated by the University of Florida , which in 2008 was the third-largest university by enrollment in the US, and as of 2021 was the fourth-largest . Gainesville's climate is defined as humid subtropical ( Köppen : Cfa ), with tropical-like summers, warm to hot shoulder seasons, and mild winters. Due to its inland location, Gainesville experiences wide temperature fluctuations, and it

611-528: Is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km ) is water. The total area is 1.74% water. Gainesville's tree canopy is both dense and species rich, including broadleaf evergreens, conifers, and deciduous species; the city has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation every year since 1982 as a "Tree City, USA". A 2016 ecological assessment indicates Gainesville's urban tree canopy covers 47 percent of its land area. Gainesville

658-547: Is on the UF campus. The city's economic engine is the University of Florida, which is by far the largest employer in the area and brings in a large amount of state and federal money. According to Gainesville's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are: The entire county is within the Alachua County Public Schools school district, which has 75 different institutions in

705-518: Is part of USDA Plant hardiness zone 9a. During the hot season, from roughly May 15 to September 30, the city's climate is similar to the rest of the state, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and high humidity. Average temperatures range from the low 70s (21–23 °C) at night to around 91 °F (33 °C) during the day. In the cool season, Gainesville experiences 15 nights of temperatures at freezing or below and sustained freezes every few years. The all-time record low of 6 °F (−14 °C)

752-415: Is served by Interstate 75 , and several Florida State Routes , including State routes 20 , 24 , and 26 . Gainesville is also served by US 441 and nearby US 301 , which give a direct route to Jacksonville , Ocala , and Orlando . The city's streets lie on a grid system, with four quadrants (NW, NE, SW and SE). All streets are numbered, except for a few major thoroughfares, many of which are named for

799-590: Is the driest period. Since the 1990s, suburban sprawl has been a concern for a majority of the city commissioners. The "New Urbanization" plan to gentrify the area between historic Downtown and the University of Florida may slow the growth of suburban sectors and spark a migration toward upper-level apartments in the inner city. The area immediately north of the university is also seeing active redevelopment. Many gentrification plans rely on tax incentives that have sparked controversy and are sometimes unsuccessful. University Corners, which would not have been proposed without

846-507: Is the only city with more than 10,000 residents in the Gainesville, Florida, metropolitan statistical area ( Alachua , Levy and Gilchrist counties), and it is surrounded by rural area, including the 21,000-acre (8,500 ha) wilderness of Paynes Prairie on its southern edge. The city is characterized by its medium size and central location, about two hours' driving time from either Jacksonville or Orlando , three hours from Tampa , and six hours from either Atlanta or Miami . The area

893-691: The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL) included: an overnight local train from Jacksonville, due south from Gainesville to Ocala, Clearwater and St. Petersburg and the West Coast Champion from New York City running on the same route during the daytime. Chicago service on the ACL's Dixie Flyer was furnished by a transfer at Jacksonville. In 1967, upon the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad from

940-728: The Cades Pond culture . The Deptford people who remained in the Gainesville area were displaced by migrants from southern Georgia sometime in the seventh century. These migrants evolved into the Alachua culture and they built their burial mound on top of the Deptford culture campsite. When Europeans made first contact in the area, the Potano lived in the area. They were descendants of the Alachua culture people. European contact diminished

987-836: The National Association of State Foresters and the United States Forest Service , the Tree City USA program provides a framework for communities to manage and expand their public trees. More than 3,900 communities have achieved Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $ 2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day. Today, in all fifty states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico nearly 155 million Americans are living in Tree City USA towns and cities. In 2018,

SECTION 20

#1732798030535

1034-467: The National Register of Historic Places . Dozens of examples of restored Victorian and Queen Anne style residences constructed in the city's agricultural heyday of the 1880s and 1890s can be found in the following districts: Additionally, the University of Florida Campus Historic District , consisting of 11 buildings and 14 contributing properties, lies within the city's boundaries. Most of

1081-524: The 2004 Cities Ranked and Rated: More than 400 Metropolitan Areas Evaluated in the U.S. and Canada , have mentioned Gainesville's low cost of living. The restaurants near the University of Florida also tend to be inexpensive. The property taxes are high to offset the cost of the university, as the university's land is tax-exempt, but the median home cost is slightly below the national average, and Gainesville residents, like all Floridians, do not pay state income taxes. The city's job market scored only 6 out of

1128-707: The Arbor Day Foundation launched the Time for Trees initiative to plant 100 million trees in forests and communities around the world and engage 5 million tree planters by the 50th Anniversary of the Foundation in 2022. In 2019, Team Trees was formed when YouTube creators MrBeast and Mark Rober joined with the Arbor Day Foundation to raise $ 20 million to plant 20 million trees. The campaign crowdfunded $ 20 million in 56 days. More than 800,000 people donated from 200 countries and territories. The campaign set

1175-586: The Thomas Center serves as a local art and cultural center, and is the home for the Gainesville Cultural Affairs Division. The Thomas Center Galleries feature changing exhibits of art. The center also features 1920s period rooms, local history exhibits, a performance space, banquet rooms, and meeting rooms. Gainesville, Florida Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County, Florida , United States, and

1222-591: The buildings in the Campus Historic District are constructed in variations of Collegiate Gothic architecture, which returned to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Historic structures on the Register in and around downtown are: As of the 2020 United States census , there were 141,085 people, 51,180 households, and 18,972 families residing in the city. Children under 18 years of age numbered 19,897 in 2020, comprising 14.1% of

1269-561: The city are run by a professional city manager who is appointed by the elected city commission . The legislative power of the city is vested in a city commission of seven members, one of whom is the mayor. The mayor and two other commissioners are elected at-large, while the other four are elected from single-member districts to represent a quarter of the city. The city commission is responsible for legislative functions such as establishing policy , passing local ordinances , voting appropriations , and developing an overall vision, like

1316-493: The city to enjoy brief periods of fall color in late November and December and a noticeable, prolonged spring from mid-February through early April. This is a generally pleasant period, as colorful blooms of azalea and redbud complement a cloudless blue sky, for this is also the period of the lowest precipitation and lowest humidity. The city averages 48.31 inches (1,230 mm) of rain per year. June through September accounts for most annual rainfall, while autumn and early winter

1363-513: The city's landmark Victorian courthouse in the 1960s, which some considered unnecessary, brought the idea of historic preservation to the community's attention. The bland county building that replaced the grand courthouse became known to some locals as the "air conditioner". Additional destruction of the downtown area's historic buildings has left a small handful of older buildings, like the Hippodrome State Theatre , at one time

1410-403: The county, most in the Gainesville area. Gainesville is also home to the University of Florida and Santa Fe College . The University of Florida is a major financial boost to the community, and UF athletic events, including SEC football games, create hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional revenue. According to a 2019 study by the university's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences ,

1457-489: The merger of ACL and SAL, the overnight local train through Gainesville was terminated. However, by 1968, the Champion was diverted east via a route through Palatka and Orlando. The Jacksonville-Gainesville-Ocala-St. Petersburg route became a local section (SCL #93 south/#94 north). Service into Gainesville ended at the end of April, 1971 at Amtrak's creation. National Arbor Day Foundation The Arbor Day Foundation

Thomas Center - Misplaced Pages Continue

1504-646: The most populous city in North Central Florida , with a population of 145,212 in 2022. It is the principal city of the Gainesville metropolitan area with a population of 350,903 in 2022. Gainesville is home to the University of Florida , the fourth-largest public university campus by enrollment in the United States as of the 2021–2022 academic year. The university is represented by the Florida Gators sports teams in NCAA competitions. There

1551-484: The municipal power grid and paid a premium for the clean, on-site generated solar electricity. The FIT started with a rate of $ 0.32 per kilowatt-hour and allowed a person or business to enter into a 20-year contract where Gainesville Regional Utilities would purchase the power for 20 years. The FIT ended in 2013, when the rate was set at $ 0.18 per kWh, but the city is still seen as a leader in solar power. This increase in solar installations put Gainesville at number 5 in

1598-489: The north and Lakeland station to the south. Bus service connects with Amtrak's Silver Service . Amtrak service is available at Palatka , 32 miles (51 km) to the east. At one time, Gainesville had railroad lines extending in six directions and was served by several depots, one of which, the Seaboard Air Line Depot , survives and has been restored and lies in a city park. The earliest route reached

1645-518: The numbers of native peoples (through disease, enslavement, war) and Spanish colonists began cattle ranching in the Paynes Prairie area in the 18th century. The Spanish ceded Florida to the US in 1821. Gainesville was established in 1854 and named after Edmund P. Gaines . The town of Gainesville was incorporated in 1869 and chartered as a city in 1907. The University of the State of Florida

1692-1037: The population, and people 65 years or over were estimated at 14,245, or 10.8% of the population. In 2015–2019, the estimated median household income was $ 37,264 and the per capita income was $ 23,018. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 124,354 people, 48,800 households, and 19,478 families residing in the city. As of 2019, 82.90% of residents age five and older spoke English at home, while 8.20% spoke Spanish , 1.93% spoke Chinese , 0.96% spoke French or French Creole (including Haitian Creole and Louisiana Creole ), 0.78% spoke Vietnamese , 0.61% spoke Hindi , 0.55% spoke Slavic languages (including Polish and Russian ), 0.50% spoke Tagalog , 0.37% spoke German , 0.35% spoke Arabic , and 0.34% spoke Korean . Also, 2.14% spoke some other Indo-European Language , 0.75% spoke some other Asian language or Oceanic languages , and 0.24% spoke some other languages (such as Dravidian languages , Mesoamerican languages , and Niger-Congo languages ). Numerous guides, such as

1739-437: The record for the biggest YouTube collaboration and fundraiser in history notable donors such as Elon Musk and Tobias Lütke , who each donated over a million dollars. The goal to reach 20,000,000 trees was reached on December 19, 2019. and as of October 2023 #TeamTrees has raised $ 24 million Arborday.org has a comprehensive set of guides and extensive information about tree species, selection, planting, and care, including

1786-401: The site, so we won't have this ugly green fence". Gainesville's east side houses the majority of the city's African-American community, while the west side consists of the mainly student and White resident communities. West of the city limits are large-scale planned communities, most notably Haile Plantation , which was built on the site of its eponymous former plantation. The destruction of

1833-433: The surrounding counties of Baker , Bradford , Clay , Columbia , Dixie , Gilchrist , Lafayette , Levy , Marion , Putnam , St. Johns , Taylor , and Union . These agreements are designed to facilitate access to the most convenient library facility regardless of an individual's county of residence. The council–manager government is the form of municipal government used in Gainesville. The day-to-day operations of

1880-556: The surrounding county is served by the Alachua County Fire Rescue. Alachua County Fire Rescue provides ambulance services for the whole county. Gainesville's city hall is at 200 E University Avenue. Gainesville Police Department is at 545 NW 8th Avenue. In 2009, the Gainesville metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ranked seventh highest in the United States in percentage of commuters who biked to work (3.3 percent). Gainesville has an extensive road system, which

1927-467: The town in 1859. By 1938, traffic and business patterns changed, Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL) had ended its Jacksonville - Waldo -Gainesville-Inverness-Tampa train and its Jacksonville-Waldo-Gainesville- Cedar Key train and the less heavily used railroads were abandoned beginning in 1943. Some routes realigned, with the last trains running in the middle of Main Street in 1948. Passenger service by

Thomas Center - Misplaced Pages Continue

1974-450: The towns they lead to (such as Waldo Road (SR 24), Hawthorne Road (SR 20), Williston Road (SR 121/SR 331), Archer Road (also SR 24) and Newberry Road (SR 26)). Streets called Avenues, Places, Roads or Lanes (often remembered by use of the acronym "APRiL") generally run east–west, while other streets (including Streets, Drives, Terraces, and Ways) generally run north–south. Amtrak Thruway buses connect with Jacksonville station to

2021-610: The university contributed $ 16.9 billion to Florida's economy and was responsible for over 130,000 jobs in the 2017–2018 fiscal year. Gainesville's schools began desegregating in the 1960s and its high schools were integrated from 1968 to 1970, the "colored" schools having been either closed or integrated. Middle schools in the county run from 6th to 8th grades. High schools in Gainesville run from 9th to 12th grades. The Alachua County Library District provides public library service to Gainesville and to all of Alachua County. The Library District has reciprocal borrowing agreements with

2068-462: The world in solar installed per capita, beating Japan, France, China and all of the US. The sports drink Gatorade was invented in Gainesville in the 1960s to help refresh the UF football team. UF still receives a share of the profits from the beverage, roughly $ 20 million a year, but Gatorade's headquarters are now in Chicago . The Florida Department of Citrus 's department of economic research

2115-483: Was founded in 1969, the centennial of the first Arbor Day observance. Through the global reforestation program, the Arbor Day Foundation and international partners have replanted more than 108 million trees lost to fire, insects, disease, and weather in forests in the United States and around the world. These rejuvenated forests help to protect watersheds, stabilize soil, restore wildlife habitats, improve air quality and create jobs. Founded in 1976 and co-sponsored by

2162-489: Was moved from Lake City to Gainesville in 1906 and its name was simplified to University of Florida in 1909. Gainesville is located at 29°39'55" North, 82°20'10" West (29.665245, −82.336097), which is roughly the same latitude as Houston , Texas . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 62.4 square miles (161.6 km ), of which 61.3 square miles (158.8 km )

2209-482: Was reached on February 13, 1899 , and the city experienced light snow and freezing rain on Christmas Eve, 1989. Traces of snow were also recorded in 1977, 1996, 2010 and 2016. The daily average temperature in January is 54.8 °F (12.7 °C); on average, the window for freezing temperatures is December 4 to February 24, allowing a growing season of 282 days, although the 1949-50 winter season did not record

#534465