Ruppert: Concerns over potential time-limited lease agreement with UF for County’s new Animal Resources and Care facility

Letter to the editor
Apparently Alachua County may soon be entering into a $3 million time-limited lease agreement with UF/State of Florida to build a new Animal Resources and Care (ARC) facility at the current site of UF’s Swine Unit near the intersection of Archer Road and SW 23rd Terrace.
I have many concerns about this idea: first, the environmental risks to the nearby organic gardens and Bivens Arm due to soil types and potential runoff from outdoor exercise areas for an anticipated 200 dogs and the additional hardscape required for buildings, parking, and roadways. Who will pay (UF or Alachua County) for any mitigation or remediation required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as part of a possible future Basin Management Action Plan? Additionally, what is the distance to the water table?
Secondly, I thought the purpose of a new facility was to address the health, safety, and welfare of the animals. The location of this site is near Archer Road, which receives numerous vehicles daily in addition to many, many emergency vehicles, from both within and outside of Alachua County, that sound their sirens on the way to Shands or the VA Hospital. Also, one of the lines in the draft agreement states that the facility will be used for “surgeries conducted for educational purposes.” What does that mean? Since ARC vehicles don’t have the same ability to navigate or stop traffic like police and emergency vehicles, how would an ARC Officer respond in a timely fashion during rush hour from the proposed site? Note that the ARC vehicles lack sirens as well. Are there adequate play/exercise/walk areas for the number of animals to be housed… for now… and in the future?
Thirdly, is this site easily accessible by the public, and is it safe with regard to driving or walking? Try it for yourself, especially during rush hour traffic. Will additional funds be needed for road work and sidewalks?
Fourthly, Carl Smart, now Deputy County Manager, earlier said the County was looking to purchase 13 to 20 acres, so why are we leasing land, as whatever the County builds will have to be torn down and removed from the site at the end of the lease? (Will we have to remove the City water and sewer lines the County will need to install, too, as they aren’t on the existing site?) I have asked for information as to the criteria used to evaluate properties with no response to date. The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee was never given a list of proposed sites and asked to evaluate each one based on a set of criteria. The whole “search” for land continues to be cloaked in darkness. Who was asked, based on certain criteria (that I have yet to see), if they have 13 to 20 acres for sale or that they would be willing to donate for a permanent location for an ARC facility? Note that even though Mr. Smart said a minimum of 13 acres, the proposed UF site has only 10 leasable acres. What hoops will Alachua County have to jump through to maintain the lease? Also, will land be cheaper when the lease expires? Does Alachua County already own suitable land?
Fifthly, several commissioners have indicated they voted, in part, for the staff to develop a lease agreement with UF because the proximity to UF’s Vet School (note that Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler voted against the proposal) would allow more volunteer time and other critical work with UF. However, Commissioner Mary Alford, in an email to me on March 14, 2024, stated, “Of course we expect that this relationship will be mutually beneficial but there are never any guarantees in any relationship we create with any group.” It is also important to understand that the UF Vet School already works with ARC. Additionally, could any agreement with UF/State of Florida be rescinded by the legislature/governor at any time?
In summary, yes, I agree that the animals (and the staff and volunteers) need and deserve a better ARC facility, but I don’t believe that the UF time-limited leased site is the proper approach or location. Does the facility really need to be located on environmentally sensitive land near highly-trafficked roads that will probably increase in vehicular counts in the future? I have heard that a new facility will probably need to be designed to accommodate 200 dogs and 100 or so cats. Will the facility be able to handle even more animals as Alachua County’s population, both people and pets, continues to grow? What will a new facility cost? I have heard $21 million used in the past. Who, outside of the BOCC and County staff, will be involved in that decision?
ARC states on their website that they support the “five freedoms for companion animals… freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury or disease, freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress.” Toward these ends, I feel the three million taxpayer dollars could be put to greater good. If you have concerns, call the Board of County Commissioners at 352-264-6900 or email them at bocc@alachuacounty.us or conduct a public records request by calling 352-264-6906 or via email publicrecordsrequest@alachuacounty.us or the web at https://alachuacounty.justfoia.com/publicportal/home/newrequest
Sincerely,
Kathleen Ruppert, Gainesville
The opinions expressed by letter or opinion writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AlachuaChronicle.com. Letters may be submitted to info@alachuachronicle.com and are published at the discretion of the editor.
What a horrible place to put the animal center!!!!! Alachua County commissioners are almost as bad as the city of Gainesville commissioners. There is NO justification for Alachua County to place the new animal center here! Whose pockets are being lined? There most be a hidden agenda behind this, what further free items/concessions are being given to UF?? The free property taxes they get are already bad enough. Bad traffic area, bad property prior use, bad location for public to have to try and access help or adoption. Archer Rd is already a traffic nightmare that the city of Gainesville and County commissioners refuse to address, they just want to continue to build more just like Newberry Rd, NW 39th Av, while doing NOTHING to alleviate the traffic problems. I already avoid Archer Rd entirely. If the animal center goes here I will never adopt an animal from Alachua County again, I would rather drive to Marion or Bradford. The new animal control center should stay on the east side of the county not the overused/abused west side of the county. Please remember there are three county commission seats up for re-election this year. Vote these bad people out!!!!! Write in candidate for district 5 and vote for Kutner for district 3, district 1 is another place for a write in candidate.
Jenn Garrett is running for the District 3 seat – she’s a self-described road nerd, who has been a subcontractor with DOT.
Our roads need attention desperately – both to alleviate congestion, but also just to fix the massive and numerous potholes.
Building expensive buildings on leased land in a congested area doesn’t seem like the best option. I would be interested to know who benefits from this deal.
The county owned over a hundred acres next to the airport it could have used to house animals and build container houses for the homeless, but No, they gave it to the US Army cuz the Army does not have enough money to buy their own land for a truck parking lot.
The county has over 50 vacant acres on the land near Hague where Public Works is on. They could build the new animal shelter there where they already own the land. But No, got to spend $3 million and put the Retirement Home for Unadoptable Pit Bulls on Archer Road.
Alternative sites were never considered. Why? The county manager likes to wheel and deal in backrooms like she was working for a private corporation, instead of being a public servant working for the county residents. The BOCC lacks the spine to reign her in or fire her. They allow her to do anything she wants. Hence the upcoming World Masters disaster with a bankrupt developer who wants millions more free tax dollars.