GAINESVILLE - The future of a 179-acre tract in South Gainesville - which has been in doubt for several years - seems more certain following a city council vote, as do plans for sidewalks near Smoky Springs retirement community in north Gainesville.
The council has approved the zoning necessary for a commercial-office-light industrial complex that would include a 40,000 square foot shopping center.
The parcel is on Athens Highway at Wilson Drive.
Various plans for the site have been introduced over the years - as far back as 2003 - but none ever materialized.
SIDEWALKS
The senior citizens on the north side of Gainesville who have been lobbying for sidewalks on South Enota Drive are a step closer to getting them. The city council has signed off on the $40,000 project in the heavily congested corridor between Park Hill Drive and Sherwood Shopping Center.
Tenants of Smoky Springs retirement community on South Enota have been among the most vocal proponents of sidewalks along their street, appearing before the city council on more than one occasion to lobby for them.
At a meeting in April, Smoky Springs resident Eileen White spoke for the group, saying a sidewalk on Enota would encourage exercise and promote safety for the seniors and nearby neighbors.
"Those of us who live at Smoky Springs cannot go anywhere except around and around our building to walk," she said. White added that Smoky Springs residents want to be able to walk to doctor's offices and retail outlets near the center.
Activity Director Sue Hesketh said at the time that Smoky Springs had 120 residents who want the sidewalk and would use it.
The money will come from $70,000 budgeted by the Street Division of the city Public Works Department which currently has an balance of $68,746.
Sunday
October 13th, 2024
8:18AM
