The City of Gainesville's iconic chicken monument is shifting a few feet closer to Jesse Jewell Parkway to make room for 40 parking spaces in Poultry Park.
"Given the growth and everything going on downtown, the city saw an opportunity to add some additional parking in the area, but at the same time give the existing monument a little bit more prominence to Jesse Jewell Parkway," said Matt Tarver, deputy director of Engineering and Transportation for the City of Gainesville.
Construction began on the project last week, with Carroll Daniel Construction crews putting up fencing around the park and monument. The monument includes a chicken statue on top of a 25-foot-tall marble obelisk.
A press statement from a Carroll Daniel spokesperson confirmed the company is involved with the project. In addition to the parking spaces, crews will be responsible for moving the monument when the time comes.
“The project demonstrates the city’s commitment to parking for patrons of downtown businesses and events, while keeping the integrity of the monument honoring Gainesville’s significance in the poultry industry,” said Carroll Daniel Vice President and Division Manager Tommy Wiley in the press statement.
Tarver did not specify how far the monument would be moving, only that it would be closer to Jesse Jewell Parkway.
"It's just going to shift a little bit closer to Jesse Jewell Parkway from its existing location now, so it's not gonna move too far," said Tarver.
Tarver said Childs Monument Works is cleaning the monument while construction crews work on the parking spaces. The project is expected to be complete by June 1.
Tarver said the city has budgeted around $500,000 for the project, which includes some storm drain improvements.
Poultry Park is located at 444 Jesse Jewell Parkway.
