Downtown

Downtown Strategic Plan Implementation

The Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA) is at the forefront of implementing the Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan, adopted by the Gainesville City Commission in October 2022. This award-winning plan, recognized by the International Downtown Association with the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence in 2023, outlines 16 transformative ideas to revitalize downtown.

Guided by a newly formed Downtown Advisory Board, we are bringing dynamic plans and programs to life—focused on making downtown Gainesville safe, clean, beautiful, and vibrant. Our projects are a direct response to the July 2024 Downtown Needs Assessment Survey, which gathered community input to identify and prioritize services and improvements within the GCRA downtown boundary.

By actively engaging the community and responding to their needs, the GCRA is committed to creating a thriving downtown that reflects the vision of its residents and stakeholders.

16 Ideas for Downtown Gainesville

1. Become a Destination

  • Idea 1: Build investment around local strengths
  • Idea 2: Shape downtown identity
  • Idea 3: Create a downtown jewel

2. Connect the Dots

  • Idea 4: Balance the need for parking with the desire for a walkable, urban core
  • Idea 5: Prioritize streets to meet city standards
  • Idea 6: Activate the Sweetwater corridor
  • Idea 7: Create a Greenway Loop

3. Strengthen the Relationship with Adjacent Neighborhoods

  • Idea 8: Connect neighborhoods to downtown
  • Idea 9: Establish transition areas

4. Increase Housing Opportunities

  • Idea 10: Address housing at scale
  • Idea 11: Support affordable- and mixed-income housing
  • Idea 12: Facilitate market rate housing

5. Create a Supportive Local Business Environment

  • Idea 13: Unlock real estate potential
  • Idea 14: Increase direct small business assistance

6. Maintain and Enhance Downtown

  • Idea 15: Form a place management organization
  • Idea 16: Continue to build capacity
Back to top