Announcements
Communications Director Mark Sexton reminded residents that Alachua County is set to become the first location in the United States to host the World Masters Indoor Championships in less than two weeks.
The event is free for all attendees and will feature over 3,700 participants from 99 countries. The sports competition will run from March 23-30 and include indoor track and field events, cross country, road race, race walk and outdoor long throws.
For more information and to volunteer, visit www.wmaci2025.com.
Watch the announcements.
Wild Spaces Public Places in Hawthorne
The County Commission approved an application from the City of Hawthorne to partner on a Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) project.
The City of Hawthorne plans to build a community gymnasium, at 6000 SW 205th St. off State Road 20, with funding from the voter-approved WSPP surtax. The total project cost is estimated at $3.75 million, with the county contributing up to $333,333.
The gymnasium is tentatively expected to be completed in July 2026.
Watch the discussion.
Alcoholic beverage production facilities
The commission passed the second of two needed readings regarding small-scale alcoholic beverage production facilities.
The change updates the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) by allowing restaurants and bars within specific zoning districts to produce beverages for on-site production. Tasting or tap rooms and retail sales related to alcoholic drinks will also be allowed.
Watch the discussion.
Land Conservation Board annual report
The commission heard an annual report and workplan from the Land Conservation Board for fiscal year 2024. The board recommends land for conservation to the commission under the county’s Alachua County Forever program.
In 2024, the county acquired eight properties previously recommended by the board, totaling 1,449 acres. Properties purchased include land surrounding Lake Santa Fe, Mill Creek, Watermelon Pond and Lochloosa areas.
Over the course of 25 years, the ACF program has closed on 100 different conservation properties.
If interested in joining one of Alachua County’s other advisory boards, visit tinyurl.com/AdvisoryBoardVacancies.
Watch the discussion.
Land conservation projects
The commission approved the donation of 5 acres near Mill Creek in the northwestern portion of the county, which will be added into the Mill Creek Preserve. Natural resources on the property include blackwater stream, upland hardwood forest, floodplain marsh/swamp and bottomland forest.
The operation costs of the property are estimated around $600 annually.
The commission also approved the purchase of 68.5 acres of land in the Watermelon Pond area, just south of Newberry. County staff are in the process of assembling the parcel and three other adjacent properties to form a 138.5 acre preserve footprint.
The purchase price is $610,000 with closing scheduled for July 2025.
Watch the discussions.
Proclamations
Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler proclaimed April 19, 2025, as the Great American Cleanup Day in Alachua County in partnership with Keep America Beautiful. The Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program, which engages more than 1.5 million volunteers and participants annually.
To learn how to volunteer or participate in the event, visit www.kacb.org.
Read the proclamation.
Commissioner Mary Alford proclaimed March 23-29 as Zero Waste Week in Alachua County. Zero Waste is a system where the community works toward reducing consumption to where nothing is wasted, and resources stay in use.
Learn more about the Zero Waste initiative.
Read the proclamation.
Watch the presentations.
See the full March 11 agenda and video.
