Gainesville VFW Post 2811 ponders future as City eyes property for development
Press release from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811
BY MICHAEL P. MAUER
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The future of a landmark building on NE Waldo Road is in jeopardy as the City of Gainesville eyes the property for a recreational complex around Citizens Field Stadium.
Ninety-two-year-old Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 was recently contacted by the economic development office of the City and advised that some or all of the veteran organization’s home may have to make way for a planned development. Under a more detailed proposal sent this week, the post’s building may need to be demolished to build a revitalized municipal sports and multi-use park.
In the post’s main meeting hall, surrounded by military memorabilia stretching from World War II to the present day, regular VFW members and the auxiliary discussed the new challenges now facing the local veterans’ organization. It was the main topic at the post’s general membership meeting on March 13.
“In general, we’re all for the idea of progress, but my first responsibility is to the post and its membership,” said VFW Post 2811 Quartermaster Avery Owen, a retired master sergeant with the 3rd Bn, 20th Special Forces Group of the Florida Army National Guard. “Most of us are local veterans and live close to the post. This part of the city has needed something like this for quite some time.”
According to one proposal submitted by the City, a new and larger competition-style swimming pool will replace the Dwight H. Hunter Pool. Next to that, a bigger Martin Luther King Jr. Multi-Purpose Center is planned, as well as walking and jogging trails and outdoor tennis and pickleball courts.
Also under consideration are a playground and multi-purpose fields. In all, the Citizens Field Revitalization Project will cover approximately 36 acres.
“This is the type of thing we like to see here,” said VFW Post 2811 Commander Jim Johnson, a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam. “I’m glad that the City is making us part of the planning stage and reached out to us.”
Alachua County VFW Post 2811 was contacted by the City of Gainesville under a schedule of public and stakeholder engagement meetings. City officials intend to make a more detailed presentation – as well as a question-and-answer session – to post and auxiliary members within the next two months.
Until that time, the post is considering its options. These would include seeing if some of the property could be set aside to build a new post home, relocating the post to a new venue, merging with another post, or turning in the post’s charter.
“The last thing on our minds is folding the post,” said Owen. “Our mission here and our history in the community is too important.”
Founded 125 years ago, the VFW is essentially a grassroots organization, with posts like the Alachua County one at the local level, districts at the regional level, and departments at the state level, as well as national leadership. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 has been active since May 21, 1933. It has approximately 200 members.
The quartermaster gave an example of the post’s outreach to fellow veterans.
“A couple Wednesdays ago, a homeless veteran arrived here with his family,” Owen said. “Their car had broken down, and they literally walked in here because they had nowhere else to turn to before they could secure an apartment within a few days. The post paid for them to stay in a hotel until they were able to get a more permanent place to live.”
“This is what we’re here for,” Johnson said. “We honor the sacrifices made by our fellow veterans by helping those in need. If we were just another social club, we wouldn’t be so driven to continue in this community. We’re hoping everything works out for the best.”
Those interested in VFW Post 2811 and its activities can call 352-376-7660.
Michael P. Mauer is a life member of VFW Post 2811. He served as an Army photojournalist during Operation Desert Storm and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf for his actions during the war. This past year, Mauer won the Silver Award for top feature article in the VFW National Publications Contest.
The city of Gainesville should give the VFW the entire property on NE 8th Av that the Army gave to the city in exchange for the VFW property on NE Waldo Rd.
This is outrageous! Leave the VFW post intact! And while you’re at it City Officials, quit overspending our tax dollars until you’ve closed your deficits and large debt balance. We don’t need another tax hike. I never voted for this! Beside, you’ll let it fill up with homeless and vagrant criminals. Especially the pools where homeless will hang out to swim/take baths. All city comm should be voted out! Who on the diss is a war veteran? Duh.
It’s very costly to maintain a pool with the chlorine , etc. Will they be charging a user fee to use the pool?
Does the VFW own the land? If so, how much will the city pay them for the land?
There are many other locations in East Gainesville where the city could build this project. Leave the Veterans alone.
They might get more attendees if VFW moved to the westside. As more retired military likely live there and outlying towns nearby.
If the city wants the VFW land, the city should, at the least, provide suitable land and facilities in exchange (and not bankrupt or force the VFW to close).
“Thanks for sacrificing your lives for our freedom. Now get out.”
Leave the VFW alone. If they are going to force them out, the city should provide them an alternate location and build them a new building.
Moe; And give them extra $ for the aggravation.
What if the vfw don’t wanna move,
Eminent domain?
Gainesville calls everyone “neighbors” until they want the land.
Why in the hell would corrupt demonrat city of Gainesville take property from Veterans?!
Of course this liberal City would do that! What do you expect from commies.
This is outrageous and should not be happening. Without these men, who risked it all to maintain our freedoms we would all be doing the nazi salute and speaking German. Leave this VFW alone.
Trump and Musk are fascists. They will destroy this country.
The WW2 vets won for nothing except a 70 year delay.
It’s also home to Grow Gainesville,has an active garden and the lot is used for event parking. The only way vfw will go is if they leave. They have a 100 year lease
Why don’t you all wait and see what deal is worked out if this goes forward. Note that the president of the VFW spoke positively about the improvement plan. Also note that the city can’t be both ruthless deal hustlers and foolish suckers who don’t understand the value of a dollar, so if you must speculate, pick one.