Gainesville groundbreakings mark investment in public safety facilities

Press release from the City of Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — City of Gainesville leaders invite area neighbors to two groundbreaking ceremonies this month for public safety projects designed to strengthen fire and emergency response services across the city.

For safety, attendees are advised to wear closed-toe shoes or footwear suitable for uneven ground.

New Fire Station #3 Groundbreaking

When: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 22

Where: 1025 NE 13th St.

A new 16,773-square-foot Fire Station #3 with three engine bays is being built near the intersection of NE 8th Avenue and Waldo Road, just west of the existing station. Once completed, the facility will replace the current station and continue serving northeast Gainesville neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

The Gainesville City Commission approved the new Fire Station #3 project in 2023. In April, commissioners approved a site work agreement for the station, and a construction agreement is expected to come before the commission at a meeting in August. The estimated project cost is $14 million.

The new firehouse is part of the NE Eighth Avenue and Waldo Road – Citizens Field Revitalization Project.

Southwest Public Safety Center Groundbreaking

When: 10 a.m. Friday, July 31

Where: 4320 SW 47th Way

The new Southwest Public Safety Center, a hurricane-hardened facility under construction near Archer Road and Interstate 75, will include a fire station with four engine bays, a dedicated Public Works warehouse, and a community meeting room.

The 29,754-square-foot public safety center will expand resources available to serve southwest Gainesville and enable the city to strategically deploy emergency response teams following natural disasters. Once completed, the existing Fire Station #9, which currently operates from a modular building in Butler Plaza North, will relocate to the new facility.

The Gainesville City Commission approved the safety center project in 2023. In April, commissioners approved a site work agreement, and last month they approved a construction agreement for the facility. It is projected to cost $22 million.

Both projects are primarily funded by Streets, Stations and Strong Foundations, the half-cent infrastructure surtax approved by Alachua County voters to support road repair, fire stations and public facilities, and affordable housing. The public safety center also received grant support from Alachua County.

Construction of both facilities is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Investing in the maintenance and improvement of City infrastructure and facilities advances the goals of the City’s strategic plan.