Newsroom

The Gainesville Fire Rescue Department (GFR) is soliciting feedback from our neighbors, city staff and other stakeholders to include in its application for four eligible activities that fit within the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) strategic priorities under the Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Program (GIP) from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDEO). Funding through this program has been identified to support long term mitigation efforts following the destruction of Hurricanes Hermine, Matthew and Irma.

City of Gainesville Housing and Community Development (HCD) staff is soliciting feedback from area neighbors and realtors about local affordable housing needs during a virtual meeting this week. The aim is to review recommendations on its draft Housing Action Plan.

City Commissioner David Arreola is hosting a one-hour telephone town hall Thursday, July 30 at 7:15 p.m. for District 3 residents and all Gainesville neighbors. He’ll be joined by several of the city’s charter officers to answer questions from callers about renters’ rights, equity matters and other topics including the COVID-19 pandemic.

A staffing shortage may delay the collection of yard waste from residential customers in the City of Gainesville the week of July 27. The city is working closely with our collection contractor, WCA, to provide the best possible service during these difficult times. Stay tuned for updates!

The City of Gainesville, the Community Foundation of North Central Florida and the Walmart Foundation again have partnered to deliver free drive-thru testing this summer.

The Public Works Department is soliciting feedback from neighbors to include in its application for $500,000 under the Rebuild Florida General Planning Support (GPS) Program from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDEO). The source of the funding is the Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation fund. The FDEO has allocated $20 million in rarely accessible funds to the GPS program to create regional plans that will enable the state of Florida to withstand future disasters.

With nearly four in 10 U.S. households yet to complete the 2020 Census, the City of Gainesville, Alachua County and the School Board of Alachua County are working to raise awareness about the national population count during a virtual three-day Community Census-A-Thon.  

In advance of the July 4th weekend, the City of Gainesville, Alachua County, the University of Florida and Santa Fe College leaders advise everyone to wear masks in public settings and to be vigilant in their hygiene and social distancing practices.

In observance of the July 4th holiday, city offices (which are now working remotely) will be closed Friday, July 3.

The City of Gainesville Office of Equity & Inclusion has scheduled a series of free virtual workshops to support the development of small and diverse local businesses. The hour-long, lunch-and-learn events begin in July and continue through November on the third Wednesday of the month:

• July 15: Having a Crisis Management Plan
• Aug. 19: Finance Basics for Small Business Owners
• Sept. 16: Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Resources to Help Your Small Business
• Oct. 21: Perfecting Your Presentation Skills
• Nov. 18: Building Strategic Partnerships