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ALACHUA ‒ A new mixed-use research community within the City of Alachua is on the drawing board. San Felasco Research Ventures has announced the 420-acre development. Anchored by Momentum Labs, the project, which is adjacent to the established and thriving Progress Park, will be home to a major research community for science and technology companies. The strategic location neighboring the globally renowned Sid Martin Biotech will include research and development facilities, commercial space, advanced manufacturing and residential.  

Designed for a mix of diverse companies and much-needed housing opportunities in the City of Alachua market, the project will create a place where the best science, research, and technology can co-exist and thrive as a true mixed-use development. The project aims to create a holistic community to support existing City of Alachua residents and provide future residents with the opportunity to live within the community where they work, enjoy miles of adjacent nature trails, numerous sports facilities and adjacent community recreation amenities throughout Alachua.

“The addition of this project within Alachua will strengthen research and business activity in our biotechnology sector,” said City of Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper. “With the combination of this new project and existing assets, our region is poised to become the epicenter of science, research and technology in Florida.”

Concept Companies will act as master-developer for the research community in close collaboration with The Roberts Companies. The two companies have been leaders throughout the region as strategic development partners for facilities utilized by the biotech community and, through this monumental collaboration, are building expanded momentum for science and technology incubation and growth in the region.

Concept Companies, a full-service real estate investment and development firm headquartered in Gainesville, both on its own and as part of San Felasco Research Ventures, is developing the key infrastructure to serve these important economic sectors that ultimately help people live better lives while expanding the employment opportunities in the community.

“It's been a pleasure and an honor working with the City of Alachua on several critical projects in the region, including Copeland Park and Foundation Park,” said Brian Crawford, founder, owner and CEO, Concept Companies and Co-Manager, San Felasco Research Ventures.

“Together with Concept Companies, we are proud to have created a tremendous partnership with Alachua that will continue to generate exceptional results for the city's residents and the region,” said Austen Roberts, President, The Roberts Companies and Co-Manager, San Felasco Research Ventures.

Other recently announced Alachua projects supporting science and technology include Momentum Labs, a state-of-the-art facility providing turnkey and tailored services to best fit recent incubator graduates moving toward commercialization.

Additionally, the new laboratory facility for Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) will include quality control labs and a manufacturing suite, expanding AGTC's existing footprint in Alachua and signaling further growth in the life sciences arena. Concept Companies, is coordinating with the City of Alachua on both developments.

The Roberts Companies, founded by Avery C. Roberts, has been in the real estate development, horizontal construction, and timber industries since 1980 and currently owns and operates a diverse portfolio of large land holdings throughout 12 counties across North Florida. They were instrumental in the creation of Copeland Park in Alachua, Florida, bringing tremendous and much needed economic growth and positive impact to the region by successfully completing the land sale to Nanotherapeutics, Inc. (now known as Ology Bioservices, Inc.) in late 2013.

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ALACHUA ‒ On June 7 members of the Turkey Creek Lions Club joined together at the Turkey Creek playground to receive and assemble items collected in support of the Ronald McDonald House. Coloring books for children and adults, stickers, activity books, crossword puzzles and Sudoku books, sketch pads and much more were collected to help support families battling childhood cancer.

Ronald McDonald House provides temporary housing, basic amenities and support to families with children receiving treatment at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.

Parents and family members, as well as children dealing with cancer, spend a great deal of time at the hospital waiting for test results, procedures and meetings with doctors. Having crayons, pencils, markers and books helps pass the time and keeps up their spirits.

Turkey Creek Lions Club members are thankful to area residents who donated to help out these families as they deal with one of the worst issues a family can face.

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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua and Alachua County discussed the proposed purchase of the Fellowship Baptist Church at its June 14 joint meeting held at Alachua City Hall. Located in High Springs, the church property had been suggested as a location for a satellite county office to provide resources closer to residents in that area of the county. Proposed uses include office space for the tax collector, property appraiser, Department of Motor Vehicles and social services.

Although the County is interested in creating a satellite office for the Alachua/High Springs area, County Commissioners decided not to purchase the property, which was listed for $3.3 million and appraised at some $2.2 million. In considering other locations, it was suggested that some of the cost could be absorbed by renting out part of the property to other social service organizations.

Several organizations such as The Partnership for Strong Families, Peaceful Paths, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare and the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County have all expressed interest in using part of the space. Currently plans are on hold to see if the church property owner will sell for the appraised value.

In other business, both bodies discussed the creation of an Infrastructure Surtax Ballot Initiative in 2022. The County is suggesting adding a one-half to one-cent tax for general infrastructure such as road repair and construction. No action was taken on the issue Monday night, and the tax will be discussed with other towns in the county before a decision is made to include it on the 2022 ballot.

The County Commission also discussed a renter’s rights initiative to provide funds for repairs and new construction for low-income affordable housing, primarily in Gainesville. The City of Alachua already has received grants to invest in renovations and street repair in neighborhoods within the city and has already invested in multiple projects. City of Alachua Commissioners suggested that the County hold off until Gainesville provides plans in order to reduce duplicate work and expenses, especially since the City of Alachua has already done much of the work in their community.

The final item discussed during the two-hour joint meeting was the status of the Trunked Radio System, which provides a combined radio system to all the county first responder services. The City of Alachua joined the system this year and made monthly payments of $10,000 a month for three months.

Recently, Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), who provides the system, announced increasing and changing payments to a full year’s cost to be paid now by each municipality. The City of Alachua expressed that the amount was too much at one time and that they had already signed a monthly contract. Additionally, Alachua City Commissioners suggested that the County should pay the extra cost since it covers all municipalities. The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners indicated they would consider the proposal.

“Although the meeting was long and at times spirited, it was productive,” said City of Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper. “It was good to see the Alachua County Commission wanting to work with the outlying cities to address important local issues and establish better communications between the towns.”

Following the combined County-City meeting, the City of Alachua Commission convened to consider several budgetary issues. The Commission approved acceptance of funds for the summer programs to be held at Legacy Park and Santa Fe High School. In March 2021, The Children's Trust of Alachua County approved $100,060 for the summer programs. Additional funding of $29,600 is projected to be received from enrollment fees for a total of $129,660 to cover the programs.

The other budget agenda item involved the transfer of funds from the General Fund Budget to the City Attorney and Facilities Maintenance Budget of $110,000. The City Attorney office will receive $35,000 primarily for anticipated litigation expenses related to the 2020 Alachua County Charter Amendment lawsuit in addition to the current fiscal year contractual increase. The additional $75,000 to Facilities Maintenance will provide for additional current fiscal year costs related to the City Hall buildout and Hal Brady Recreation Center maintenance shed projects.

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GAINESVILLE – St. Patrick Catholic Church (500 NE 16^th Ave., Gainesville) is encouraging Catholics and non-Catholics alike to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by hosting a vaccination event on Saturday, June 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in partnership with the University of Florida Health and Catholic Charities Gainesville.

The event will offer the Pfizer vaccine to anyone ages 12 years old and up. Participants are encouraged to sign up by calling the St. Patrick Catholic Church office at (352) 372-4641. The first 50 people to sign up to receive the vaccine will receive a $25 Wal-Mart gift card from Catholic Charities.

Although registration is encouraged, walk-ins are welcomed. The second dose will be given on Saturday, July 17. For details, call (352) 372-4641.

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NEWBERRY ‒ June 10 was a time for a community to honor one of its own. Over 75 friends, family members and elected officials, both current and past, gathered at Freddie Warmack Park to celebrate the life and legacy of the first black mayor of Newberry. The park is named in honor of that mayor, Freddie Warmack, for his long years of service and achievements in the community.

Warmack was born and raised in Newberry. He died in 2019 at the age of 87 but left a lasting legacy for his dedication to improving the city’s infrastructure and living conditions of its citizens.

As a young man, Warmack joined the Army and served in the Korean War before receiving a medical discharge due to Malaria, which would continue to affect him for years, according to his daughter, Cynthia Loretta Warmack.

Warmack was heavily involved in community issues and was always open to hearing from others. He served on several committees in local government and then became a city commissioner from October 1974 through October 1984. That year, he was elected as the first African American mayor in Newberry, serving for 10 years until 1994. At the time, the mayor also held the position of city manager. In addition to these duties, he was also a member of the Central Florida Community Action Agency, helping low-income people become self-sufficient.

During his tenure as mayor, he is credited with establishing the Newberry Fire Department in 1981, creating the Newberry Historic District, purchasing and installing the veteran's memorial monument in 1988, and presiding over the construction of Newberry City Hall in 1992. His accomplishments to improving Newberry had a lasting effect and Freddie Warmack Park was named in his honor in 2009.

The park's location is significant as it sits on the site of the first African American school in Newberry. The school was built during segregation, a time when African Americans had to purchase land and build the school themselves if they wanted their children to attend school. The school was also located across the street from a field called Lynch Hammock where several lynchings took place.

Today, the old school is gone, and Warmack Park is a place for children to play in happier times. The only building left is the old cafeteria, and that is where everyone gathered to honor the memory and achievements of Warmack. The event was sponsored by the City of Newberry and the 100 Black Men of Greater Florida GNV Chapter.

The Chapter is part of a nationwide organization with106 Chapters with approximately 10,000 African American men committed to the organization’s founding mission- to enhance the quality of life in African American communities by improving the educational, economic and social status of African-Americans. The organization now serves more than 125,000 youth annually through its mentoring, training and development programs. Chapter members attended the event to honor Warmack with their first-ever posthumous membership award for his dedication to community, youth and education.

Pastor Lewis King delivering the invocation and Cynthia Warmack spoke about her father, praising his accomplishments, compassion and caring for others. Her focus was his life beyond politics and his relationship with people.

“He loved Newberry and in return the city embraced him," she said, recalling that on the day the Newberry Fire Department officially opened, her father “Cut the ribbon with a smile that would brighten the sky. He was always willing to listen to the concerns of others.”

King, who is Warmack's son-in-law, spoke about Warmack's life in politics and said he lived out Luke 12:28: “To whom much is given, much is required.”

"One thing I can say about Freddie Warmack as an elected official is he took care of the needs of the city, the needs of the people,” said King, who served at the same time as Warmack on the Newberry Planning and Zoning Board. “He would apply for grants to have houses remodeled along with other grants to supplement the city budget. It was those types of actions that the community appreciated. He always put the community first,” King said

After Warmack retired from serving the City, he still stayed involved. King recalled how he shared with Warmack that the City Commission was considering giving away the fire department to the county.

“They ain't giving my fire department,” Warmack responded. Warmack then showed up at the next Commission meeting to vehemently oppose any attempt to give away the fire department he built. King said the fire department might not have stayed in the City's control without Warmack's persistent efforts, even after he was no longer mayor.

Warmack's grandson, James Mayberry, came to the podium and invited family members and former City officials who worked with Warmack to join him on stage. “It takes a village,” he said as family and former officials flanked him on each side, with his grandmother standing next to him.

“Everywhere we look in this town, you see part of his legacy,” said current Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe. “The old school and that park have a long history and a long legacy in our community and I hope that it goes on for a long time,” Marlowe said. “There isn't a place that you can go in our community and not see his impact.”

Marlowe proclaimed June 10 to be “Freddie Warmack Sr. Day to recognize and thank him for his years of dedicated service to the residents of this city and as a patriarch of this community.” Marlowe said that because the Newberry Fire Department moved into its building on June 10, 1981, he read the proclamation on that same date in honor of Warmack.

Once the three spoke and the family returned to their seats it was time for the city's proclamation and The 100 Black Men induction.

Gator 100 President Jamar Herbert asked his fellow members to come to the stage as he presented grandson James Mayberry with the posthumous membership induction of Warmack into the 100 Black Men Chapter. “This has never been done before,” Hebert said about the posthumous induction. “We felt that based on his lifetime of dedication to his community, especially improving the opportunities for low-income youth, that he deserved membership” Herbert said.

After the ceremony, another of Warmack's grandsons, artist Alpatrick McCleary, took the stage to unveil a portrait Marlowe commissioned him to paint for Newberry's Freddie Warmack Center. The portrait was revealed as attendees applauded and family members expressed how much it portrayed his character. “I got a picture from my auntie and I decided to capture him the best I could,” McCleary said.

As the ceremony ended, McCleary reflected on the event “I think my grandfather would be proud to see that all the good he did is still remembered by the citizens of Newberry.”

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ALACHUA ‒ As the country begins to open up as COVID-19 cases drop and summer is around the corner, traditional summer activities are returning. The City of Alachua is offering two summer camps that serve both younger and older children.

The City of Alachua's Recreation and Culture Department is bringing back its summer camp program for children ages 5-13, and in partnership with Santa Fe College and the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, ages up to 18 can participate in a separate academically oriented program.

Starting Monday, June 22 and running through Friday, July 31, the City will host the program for younger children at Legacy Park five days a week, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The summer camp is designed to help children learn new skills, build self-confidence, make new friends, and feel a sense of achievement. There are a variety of camp activities including art, music, swimming, character development, games, sports, and outdoor activities to do over the summer while school is out. It also provides a safe, informative and organized day care for parents during the work week. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will also be provided each day.

The daily camp schedule starts at 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. for breakfast and drop-off; 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. for character session; 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. for various activities and classes; lunch from 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., followed by more activities and classes from 1 p.m. -3 p.m. From 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., kids can enjoy free play time until they are picked up by a parent or guardian. There will be no camp on Friday July 3 due to the holiday weekend.

Despite the improving conditions of the pandemic, summer camp will look different this year. All programming will be in small groups. Campers will be with the same group of 10 or less all week, with no mixing with other groups. Activities that increase the likelihood of community transmission have been eliminated. These include, but are not limited to: Splash Park, large groups, high contact physical activity and off-site travel (although possible if they can guarantee social distancing guidelines). All meals will be served in to-go boxes to limit contact with surfaces. Campers will be separated from one another to avoid large groups. This includes, but is not limited to: meal times, music time, arts and crafts, and all-camp games.

The City will administer daily health screenings to monitor for any evidence of symptomatic cases. Signup for the camp includes a signed assurance from families that they can promptly pick up if a camper exhibits symptoms or if staff suspects a camper may have been exposed. Other safety measures include new check-in and check-out procedures, cleaning protocols, and staff training in accordance with recommendations from the CDC and the Alachua County Health Department.

The cost for the camp, including all meals is $400. However, the city is offering 100 percent covered scholarships through applications available at the City website, so that no one who wants to enroll is denied due to funding.

The summer camp at Legacy Park may be limited to children 13 and under, but the City has not forgotten older students either. Working with Santa Fe College and the Children's Trust of Alachua County, they have created a more academically orientated program for students up to 18 years of age.

Running during the same timeframe as the Legacy Park camp, this camp will offer a variety of programs in art, technology and science. Classes include visual arts, performing arts, digital design, engineering, biotechnology and crime scene investigation. The cost for the program is $240, but there are also scholarships available.

Applications for both camps, as well as scholarship requests, can be found at the City of Alachua Recreation and Culture website at https://www.cityofalachua.com/government/recreation-culture/sports-activities. Additional information is available by calling the department at 386-462-1610.

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