Thelma A. Boltin Center Renovation 2025

Built in 1942, the Thelma A. Boltin Center—originally known as the Gainesville Servicemen’s Center—served as an entertainment venue for U.S. service members stationed at nearby military bases.

The building sits on a 2-acre site at the corner of NE Second Avenue and NE Fifth Street in the Duckpond neighborhood.

The City of Gainesville purchased the facility in 1946 and later converted the building into a multipurpose facility managed by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. It was renamed in honor of the center's first director, Thelma A. Boltin.

In 2020, the facility was closed to the public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later that year, city staff identified a structural failure in the building's roof. As a result of the significant damage, the building has remained closed to the public.

In mid-November 2021, the city received a structural assessment report from Sputo and Lammert, LLC. The report concluded that the extent of structural damage resulting from the roof failure was significant enough that complete demolition and replacement of the auditorium—or the entire facility—represented the most cost-effective options.

In April 2022, the General Policy Committee approved a motion directing staff to collaborate with Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc. on the future design of the Thelma A. Boltin Center.

The Thelma A. Boltin Center consists of a one-story, 4,500 SF auditorium (including stage and back of house), and a two-story 3,500 SF multipurpose wing with 1,120 SF storage mezzanine.

The building reflects characteristics typical of mid-20th century military construction, including material scarcity due to wartime demand for cement, steel and lumber.

The exterior walls are 4” and 8” painted and unreinforced concrete masonry unit (CMU) blocks supported on shallow strip and spread foundations.

The gable roof structure consists of heavy timber roof trusses spaced at approximately 12 feet on center, spanning 49 feet, and supporting wood purlins and wood decking. The roof trusses bear on larger CMU pilasters built integral with the exterior walls.

The Thelma A. Boltin Center is not listed on the national or local register of historic places; however, the building is considered a contributing structure in Gainesville's Northeast Historic District.

In 2008, the Alachua County Historical Society nominated the property as a Florida Heritage Site.

Structural Conditions

Foundation Settlement
The relative floor elevation in the multipurpose wing varies by about 4 inches, with a downward slope from the northwest to the southeast.

Truss Failure 
The roof over the auditorium stage is in collapse and currently supported by shoring. The exterior walls are leaning outward and bowing at the two pilasters.

Building Systems

HVAC
All units are at or beyond their useful life. The units do not provide mechanical ventilation for the stage area, which is recommended based on occupancy and for positive pressurization. The restrooms are not heated or cooled. Refrigerant was removed from the system in accordance with code requirements after the building was deemed hazardous. Full replacement of all HVAC systems is required.

Plumbing
The existing sanitary waste and vent system is a cast-iron hub and spigot system that will need to be replaced with any new renovation to the building. The piping material will fail in select areas and is unlikely to be suited for a new configuration.

Electrical
A new panelboard is needed for additional branch circuits. However, existing electrical panels and wiring devices are in good condition.

Site Context

Flood Plain
A portion of the site is located within the 100-year FEMA Flood Plain (Zone A). Sweetwater Branch Creek runs through the eastern portion of the property.

Soil
Soil samples from the site indicate the tested soil consists of poorly graded sand with silt, some of which contains wood and organic material, silty sand with organics, clayey sand and peat.

Groundwater table
The groundwater table at the time of the geotechnical investigation was measured at depths of 1 foot, 8 inches to 4 feet below the surface.

• 90% Construction Documents(PDF, 2MB)
• Existing Conditions and Remediation Report(PDF, 2MB)
• Phase I Cost Estimate(PDF, 7MB)
• Recent Photos

August

Current Status and Funding Limitations

The construction phase of the project currently has a budget of $3 million, funded equally by the City and County with $1.5 million each. Scorpio’s recent budget estimate, based on 50% completed construction documents, is $2,931,192. This estimate covers key improvements including site drainage, structural repairs to the building and preservation efforts.

Major structural work includes replacing the auditorium’s roof and roof trusses, masonry repairs, and foundation stabilization using helical piles on the south wing. A significant focus is on preserving the building’s historic windows, which will be carefully removed, abated, restored, refinished and reinstalled.

Key budget allocations include:

• 70% for stabilizing the auditorium, including the new roof and roof trusses
• 25% for work on the service wing addition
• 5% for site drainage improvements

Please note:

• The current construction budget fully utilizes the Phase I structural stabilization funds.
• This budget covers only essential structural repairs and does not include upgrades necessary to reopen the building for public use.

Additional work required to reopen the facility includes:

• Mechanical system upgrades and replacements
• Installation of new flooring and lighting
• Code-compliant modifications

The combined estimated cost for Phase I (structural repairs) and Phase II (interior and systems upgrades) is $6,645,690.

To support final cost estimates for the Phase I design, the City recently completed microbial testing—used to detect and quantify potential biological contaminants—and conducted ground-penetrating radar (GPR) analysis to determine whether structural reinforcements were previously added to the auditorium’s exterior walls. Final pricing for structural repairs, along with a preliminary estimate for the full scope of work required to reopen the facility, is anticipated by the end of the year.

Projected Timeline

Design and permitting for the Phase 1 structural repairs are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Construction could begin in early 2026 and is anticipated to take approximately 12 months. It is important to note that the current project budget covers only Phase 1, which includes structural stabilization. As such, the building will not be operational or have power restored upon completion of this phase.

March–May

Design progresses from 50% to 100% Construction Documents (CDs).

February 21

WJA began work on the Existing Conditions & Remediation Report.

February 6

WSPP, WJA, and Scorpio conducted an on-site walkthrough to identify minimum repairs needed to reopen the Center.

Dec. 7

At a regular City Commission meeting, staff requested approval of a design task amendment with WJA to finalize design and permitting for the partial restoration of the center pursuant to the April 2023 direction, and also requested approval to award a CMAR solicitation to D.E Scorpio Corporation for the construction phase of the project. The commission adopted the following motions: (1) Rescind earlier (funding) allocation, allocate $1.5 million in city funding for structural repairs, pursue historic preservation funding options and send a letter to the Alachua County Board of Commission requesting matching funds, and (2) Approved the request of proposal award to D.E. Scorpio Corporation and authorized the city manager to execute a contract (for the construction phase) subject to approval by the city attorney.

Oct. 17

Staff hosted a community engagement session.

Sept. 21

At a regular City Commission meeting, staff requested approval of a design task assignment amendment with WJA to finalize design and permitting for the partial restoration of the center pursuant to the April 2023 direction. The commission adopted the following motions: (1) Table the current recommendation, hold a community engagement meeting and return to the city commission on Nov. 2, and (2) Mitigate further deterioration of the building, request county participation in the community meeting, and identify supplemental funding sources.

Fall

A construction manager at risk (CMAR) solicitation was issued.

August 

A building material salvage assessment was conducted by Resource Management Group, Inc.

Summer

Staff worked with WJA to develop a design services proposal for the partial restoration.

April 27

At a GPC meeting, the City Commission was presented four options: (1) complete replacement, (2) partial restoration, (3) complete restoration, and (4) repair existing facility. 

The commission adopted a motion approving staff's recommendation to proceed with Option 2, a partial restoration, at an estimated cost of $5.6 million.

Spring

Staff worked with a consultant to prepare detailed cost estimates for four scenarios.

Dec. 6

The Historic Preservation Board approved the certificate of appropriateness (COA) for demolition of the east wing and restoration of the historic auditorium.

Nov. 8

Staff submitted a COA application for partial demolition.

Nov. 1

REG Architects presented a full restoration option to the Historic Preservation Board.

Oct. 18

Staff provided an additional project update to the Historic Preservation Board.

Sept. 27

Florida Concrete Recycling, Inc. removed the fluorescent lamps and recovered the refrigerant from the HVAC systems in the building under their continuing services agreement.

Sept. 6

City staff and WJA presented new facility reconstruction options to the Historic Preservation Board.

August

Code Enforcement designated the center as a “dangerous building,” and disconnected utilities.

Aug. 8

Staff met with Rick Gonzalez of REG Architects, Inc. to discuss a feasibility study for full restoration.

Spring–Summer

Staff provided monthly updates at Historic Preservation Board meetings (May 3, July 5, Aug. 8) and collected stakeholder input.

April 14

The City Commission adopted a motion at a General Policy Committee meeting directing staff to place the project on a Historic Preservation Board meeting agenda for feedback and to engage the Duckpond neighborhood. Staff were also directed to work with Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc. (WJA) on a building replacement plan that incorporates multi-use trail improvements and key architectural elements from the old structure while determining the best use for the facility.

December

The project was placed on hold following the departure of the city manager.

November

The engineering firm identified significant structural damage and recommended either the demolition and reconstruction of the auditorium, or demolition of the entire building.

June

Hazardous material testing was performed and asbestos tile was removed.

December

City staff discovered a partial collapse of the auditorium roof and hired a structural engineering firm to assess and secure the structure.

Nov. 5

City Commission meeting authorization to enter into a design services agreement with Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc. (WJA).

May 21

City Commission meeting approving the Thelma Boltin Design Services RFQ Evaluation Team’s recommendation to award the project to WJA, and 2) authorize the city manager or designee to negotiate with WJA for design and engineering services for the development of construction documents for the Thelma Boltin Center renovation.

March

The center closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 22

The City Commission adopted a motion at the General Policy Committee (GPC) meeting directing staff to proceed with Design Option 2: a renovation and minor addition.