Thanks for the warm welcome everyone... Yes, Gainesville has a changing cityscape and its exciting. Rock2uf, I can't agree with you more about the student migration, and lets face it, that is this town's lifeblood. Pulling the students back in closer to town centers and the university is only going to bump up the revenue that these small business owners/TAX PAYERS are seeing in their stores. That type of movement will inherently spark increasingly enhanced developments, such as the plentiful condo units going up very close to the school, as well as new strip centers with quality buildouts.
I know there's been alot of discussion about UCorners... the tax issue is a very temporary stall from what I hear from the people involved. UCorners, undoubtedly, is deep in this project, and they don't have any plans of turning back.
The plans for the SW 2nd Ave redevelopment is genius in my opinion. The ease of development and simply the open space that's aleady there will help to compound the effect that revitalization and development already occurring on Univ Ave is having. Creating two conduits from University to downtown, each with their own appeal, will foster a long standing and successful playground for business and residential establishment. The rehab of that area might even help to improve the areas south and west of downtown, bordered by Depot Ave. The historic neighborhood of Porter's Oaks could benefit from higher property values, and could incent developers to work with that community to provide better housing and commercial space.
Just a few thoughts on Sunday... yes, go Gators and I sure can't wait till Saturday! -JR-
