Exciting news! Restoration of the historic Hippodrome elevator has begun
Press release from City of Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The City of Gainesville’s Wild Spaces & Public Places Department and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs are pleased to announce that work to restore the Hippodrome’s historic elevator has begun.
The Hippodrome, completed in 1911, is a City of Gainesville building and served as a U.S. Post Office, Federal Courthouse, and U.S. Land Office until 1964. In 1979, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and in 1981, the Hippodrome was designated as a State Theatre of Florida.
In 1924, the Otis Elevator Company installed the Hippodrome’s elevator—a manually operated unit engineered to function using friction and counterweight technology. Until January 2024, when it was taken out of service for safety concerns, the 112-year-old elevator held the distinction of being Florida’s oldest continuously operating elevator.
Following an inspection that revealed issues with the elevator’s braking system and speed control, City staff diligently searched for a qualified vendor to undertake the refurbishment and repairs of this historic treasure. This solution not only ensures ADA access to the Hippodrome building for neighbors but also preserves its rich history.
This week, Eletech Elevator Company has begun disassembling and assessing the historic elevator in collaboration with an expert machinist. They will be repairing damaged components and fabricating new parts to facilitate its restoration.
The project is anticipated to be completed this summer and is expected to cost $135,799. This project is being funded with the Wild Spaces & Public Places half-cent sales tax.
I am shocked. Shocked I tell you, that the press release actually includes the cost.
Harvey Ward’s big belly wore the poor thing out!
This sounds more like a headline on WCJB and the Gainesville Sun. All that’s missing is some random purple haired old lady that works at the HIPP. Although this Wild Space/Public Place Half Cent sales tax might be worth a deep dive into their books to really see what kind of hippie pipe dreams it’s secretly being used to fund. For example a walking over pass on Paynes Prairie for the evasive Florida swamp rat to cross the highway and not get hit. I bet if there was audit of this tax it might be real interesting to see what’s uncovered. I don’t there’s enough purple headed hippies that’s buying tickets in the GSSR to fund all this art and culture. Hello Elon and DOGE can you take a look at this please.
Yes, nothing says “hippie pipe dream,” like fixing a historic elevator so that the elderly or those with a disability can get to the second floor and enjoy a show. And your conspiracy theory about the Wild Spaces funding is just silly, and you provide no evidence to support that. Why don’t you focus on the moon landing and the shape of the earth next?
In addition to the county having an independent financial audit each fiscal year, there is also an Infrastructure Surtax Oversight Board that meets quarterly to review and question all WSPP funds spent to ensure they meet the requirements of how they can be utilized.
On a side note they got another Florida landmark at 233 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601 I think the last time anybody spent in money was in the 70’s because it looks like a trap house. Compared to other Florida Theatres in the State in Jacksonville, Ocala, Deland. I guess the commie hippies in the GSSR don’t like the Florida Theatre in Gainesville.
The Florida Theatre is privately owned. It’s been closed since 2018, although its current owner said recently he’s working on restoring it and reopening it by 2028. https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2025/02/04/owner-of-florida-theater-in-gainesville-hopes-to-reopen-iconic-venue/78182171007/
A ‘Wild Spaces’ elevator?
Can riders join the mile high club in it or something? That would be a true Wild Space.
I am delighted that this historic elevator is finally getting care and attention. Not many historic devices are still providing a useful service like transportation that complies with ADA. Most people enjoy the elevator
as a unique experience that also enables them to skip the steep stairs.
It was fun, back in the day, when I volunteered at the Hipp for the annual A Christmas Carol play and would sometimes operate the elevator. Once Clark Butler wanted a ride. He told me he had operated an elevator as a young man as a job. I said, have a go at it, and he did. He missed the floor by a couple of feet, but a good time was had by all.