Pilot housing program for homeless
The County Commission approved a new permanent housing pilot program that will convert shipping containers into homes for unhoused residents.
The idea to build container housing was first initiated by Commission Chair Mary Alford and draft plans call for up to 29 units to be placed along Southwest 13th Street in Gainesville (on the north end of the Scottish Inn property).
The containers will provide permanent housing in addition to the 67 apartments planned at the recently purchased Scottish and Budget Inns that the county is renovating for permanent housing. The new units are expected to be completed in 2025 and will also serve the community’s most vulnerable population.
The county received about $9.5 million in grant funding to pay for the housing containers, the motel renovations, engineering, architecture and infrastructure work. Each unit will include a kitchenette and bathroom.
Last year, the county also provided $150,000 to fund the Grace Marketplace shelter and $350,000 for the Homeless Street Outreach Team to better serve those in need.
As part of the motion, commissioners also directed staff to work with Grace Marketplace, the City of Gainesville and other stakeholders to develop a master housing plan onsite of the Grace campus.
Jail calls
The County Commission approved a $750,000 contract with Securus Technologies to continue as the service provider for calls at the Alachua County Jail. Last year, the commission directed the sheriff to begin offering free calls for inmates.
Sheriff Emery Gainey told the commission that fights at the jail related to phone usage have decreased since December and that the jail has converted video phones to regular phones to allallow more inmates more accessibility.
In the new contract, the county asked to remove a voice identification tool used by Securus to identify inmates before use. Gainey also shared that the jail does not listen to calls. Rather they attempt to ensure inmates are not violating court orders or committing other crimes from the jail.
Wild Spaces in Newberry
Two applications were approved for a municipal partnership program with the City of Newberry. The projects will use up to $533,3333 from the Wild Places Public Places and infrastructure surtax. Newberry will match the funding for the projects.
One project, which can’t exceed $200,000, will create 36 parking spaces at Jimmy Durden Park in a grass lot next to the volleyball court. Currently, the park has no designated parking.
The other project will be used for roadway improvements along Southwest 15th Street in front of Newberry Elementary School. The project is estimated over $1 million but will include a $333,333 contribution from the county.
The widening of the road calls for a turning lane and two travel lanes, allowing traffic to flow more smoothly during the pick-up and drop-off times, which are frequently congested. The plan will also add 103 new adjacent parking spaces along the road to better accommodate local football games and parents dropping kids off.
Jonesville development
The commission deferred the approval of a preliminary plan for Phase 2, Unit 2C, of the Southpointe development near Jonesville.
The 32-acre, low-density residential development is positioned around Northwest 122nd Street, along the 1700 block of Northwest 118th Drive and the 12100 block of Northwest 17th Avenue.
Earlier in the meeting, the commission agreed to a $1 million purchase of a right-of-way to provide an extension on Northwest 122nd Street that leads to the development.
Earlier in the meeting, the commission also agreed to an approximately $1 million purchase of right-of-way and stormwater treatment areas to provide an extension of Northwest 122nd Street. The extension will help provide new roadway capacity and complete the roadway grid in the western urban area.
