The Streatery construction hits major milestone with brick installation
Press release from the City of Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Construction of The Streatery in downtown Gainesville has reached a significant milestone, with brick paver installation now underway and the project’s first phase on SW 2nd Street scheduled to reopen by the end of June.
Since construction began in April, crews have completed underground stormwater improvements, asphalt paving, and the concrete base that will support the corridor’s new brick paver surface on SW 2nd Street. Although work will continue, that section is expected to open to traffic within the next two weeks.
In preparation for the second section of pavers, concrete is now being poured along SW 1st Avenue between SW 2nd Street and SW 1st Street. All granite curbing and historic brick removed during construction has been carefully salvaged, with portions set aside for incorporation into the finished project.
“We’re seeing the improvements take shape,” said Gainesville Interim Chief Operating Officer Brian Singleton. “Much of the early work was underground. Now with bricks going in, we’re transitioning from hidden infrastructure to the design features that will define The Streatery for decades to come.”
Businesses throughout the area remain open while construction continues. As The Streatery is surrounded by more than 2,000 parking spaces throughout downtown Gainesville, visiting remains convenient and accessible. Downtown parking is free on the weekends and City-observed holidays (except in the Southwest Parking Garage at 105 SW 3rd Street and in designated spaces).
“Our local businesses are the heart of downtown,” said Gainesville Mayor Harvey L. Ward. “I encourage everyone to keep supporting the restaurants, shops, and venues that make it such a great destination. The Streatery will be an exceptional addition, and it’s wonderful to see the vision becoming a reality.”
The $4.5 million construction project, approved by the Gainesville City Commission in March 2026, will transform SW 1st Avenue between South Main Street and SW 2nd Street into a curbless, pedestrian-oriented corridor. Improvements include decorative lighting, landscaping, and seating. With an expected completion date in October, the space will accommodate outdoor dining, festivals, markets, and community events.
The Streatery renovation is funded through the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA), a 10-year program (2019-2029) administered by the City of Gainesville and funded by the City and Alachua County. Additional project costs are covered by the gas tax fund.
Construction of The Streatery supports the City’s vision for a vibrant, welcoming, and thriving downtown as outlined in the Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan.
How will things like Streetery be maintained when voters approve property tax reform?
Should be fairly low maintenance. The reason they ripped it up, is so that they could re-do the sewers / drainage. Not sure what else would need to be maintained.
Unless they bring back the Happy Hour Pool Room, gunfights and all, the Streetery doesn’t have a chance. “Gimme three steps, Mister, Gimme three steps towards the door . . .”
And those brick and mortar restaurants like oak & Harry’s, etc who pay high rents and have to pay employees, get thanked by the city by allowing a bunch of “roach coaches” to steal their business at the streetery..
I still see some bums hanging out in the bus stop across from the closed st Francis house…
I have a friend who has a business downtown and he says those “ambassadors” are a waste of money…
When will there be a serious talk about the littering panhandling bums at 39th & Waldo? They can’t even fix that?
I have little confidence in the mayor or the city manager being able to fix this… time to replace them.
100% agree the ambassadors are a waste. That being said, the homeless/panhandling problem is not Gainesville, but the entire freaking country. Needs to be handled at the federal level.
Milestone? Or…..is it a Millstone around the cities taxpayers neck instead?
$4,500,000 spent on a two block long project?
Are those 2000 parking spaces inclusive of the parking garages? If not, Harvey ‘Two-face’ again demonstrates just how much of a lying politician he really is.
From what I’ve seen and heard, the parking policies are hurting downtown businesses. The only people allowed to park for free are the homeless population who’ve traveled far to live in their cars.
No, thank you. We checked out a restaurant in Avondale, only an hour away. Free on-street parking, clean, pedestrian-friendly, and most of all, zero bums. So we’re spoiled with the way things should be.
Instead of a permanent food truck park (hurting downtown restaurants that remain) they should use it for a permanent farmers market a few days a week. Move the ones from Haile, etc to downtown. Then the patrons can learn how to park in the parking garage.
So we are using gas tax money to remove a street, and make it a pedestrian area with no vehicle traffic while our actual thouroghfares are so bad people plan detours to avoid certain roads.
Not to mention the fact that it will become a magnet for panhandling and crime.
Brilliant…..