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ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua City Commission on March 11, 2024, unanimously approved the Kirkland Farms Phase 1 Final Plat. Kirkland Farms, owned by Garden Street Communities Southeast, LLC, is a proposed 36.58-acre subdivision consisting of 70 lots, common areas and road right-of-way. The property is located south of Peggy Road and Legacy Park, east of I-75 and north of the CSX rail line right-of-way.

The Preliminary Plat was approved by the City Commission on Feb. 27, 2023. The Kirkland Farms subdivision is comprised of two phases and will consist of lots ranging in size from some 6,000 square feet to approximately 9,335 square feet, with the majority of lots being roughly 6,000 square feet. The approved preliminary plat included 150 single-family residential lots.

Garden Street Communities Southeast, LLC provided a Common Law Performance Bond of $5.8 million as surety for infrastructure improvements, other than the house sidewalks, and an additional Common Law Performance Bond of $205,560 as surety for house sidewalks.

In response to Commission questions, it was clarified that there will be a pedestrian path from the Hal Brady Recreation Complex to the neighborhood that will connect to existing sidewalks. Claudia Vega, P.E. of eda consultants, inc., said the company is working with Alachua County regarding a formal crosswalk with intentions of a flashing light activated by a push button.

Commissioner Ed Potts offered a motion to approve the Phase 1 Final Plat with Commissioner Jennifer Blalock providing the second. The matter was approved by a 4-0 vote.

In other City business, the City Commission took action through a roadway agreement to move forward plans for construction and operation of a new Alachua County Fire and Rescue (ACFR) station to serve the eastern part of the City and surrounding Alachua County, including the contiguous developing commercial and residential areas.

The Commission approved a roadway agreement Between IIP-FL 3, LLC and the City of Alachua, clearing the way for the construction of a permanent fire and rescue station to replace the temporary facility currently operating off U.S. Highway 441. Commissioner Blalock offered the motion to approve with Commissioner Shirley Green Brown providing the second. The measure passed 4-0.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ This past weekend was a good time to be an art lover in High Springs as artists set up shop for the 2^nd Annual Art Fair on the Green. Set against the iconic backdrop of the historic High Springs downtown area, sparkling white canopied vendor tents sprung up along the green space where railroad tracks once guided trains carrying goods to points east and west.

But on Saturday and Sunday, the area along Northwest 185^th Road was transformed into an open-air gallery, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the diverse range of artwork on display at the 2^nd Annual Art Fair on the Green. The art fair showcased the talents of both local and nonlocal artists, each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of the exhibit.

The free, family-friendly event featured artists in various mediums, from jewelry and paintings to ceramics and glass. Colorful pottery was displayed in booths next to displays of dazzling handmade jewelry and still others displaying acrylic and watercolor paintings. The outdoor gallery offered a visual feast that reflected the diversity and creativity of the artistic community that calls High Springs and North Central Florida home.

Scattered rain showers passed here and there through the area but did little to dampen the art enthusiasts who came out to see what this year’s two-day event had to offer until an approaching storm with gusty winds passed through. Reports of toppled tents, but no injuries were reported.

Gainesville artist Alfred Phillips took center stage at the exhibit with his creativity and vision, incorporating bold colors into this year’s Art Fair on the Green poster. Phillips specializes in acrylic painting, and according to his website, he has a four-year studio arts degree and enjoyed a successful career in commercial art. Phillips has received a number of awards and relocated to Gainesville in 2013. If you missed his exhibit at the Art Fair on the Green, you have another chance to see his works at the 52^nd Annual Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival in Gainesville on April 13 and 14, 2024.

Additional art events are planned in High Springs with ArtWalks scheduled the third Saturday of March, April, May, October, November and December. The next ArtWalk is on tap March 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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ALACHUA ‒ On Tuesday, March 19, at 9 a.m., the Alachua County Commission is holding a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of the construction of the new Alachua County Fire Station #21, located at 16121 N.W. 173^rd Street, off CR 235A in Alachua. The ceremony is open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman is the master of ceremonies. The event includes comments from Alachua County Fire Chief Harold Theus, County Commission Chair Mary Alford and County Public Works Director Ramon Gaverette.

“We have planned for the relocation of station 21 for many years and we are so happy to see it become a reality,” Lieberman said.

Station 21 will be the second fire station of the new Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) prototype design. The single-story concrete masonry facility features energy-efficient equipment and sustainable design features, with 100 percent backup generated power. It is an 11,500-square-foot state-of-the-art building that will last 50+ years. The Lunz Group, from Lakeland, provided architectural and engineering services for the project and the D.E. Scorpio Corporation is the construction management firm “At Risk.”

This new fire station provides adequate space for the existing fire rescue crew and will enhance the service delivered to this growing area of unincorporated Alachua County. Building and opening this facility provides critical space for staff and equipment.

Once the construction is complete, Station 21 will move from its current location at 15040 N.W. U.S. Highway 441, Alachua.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Annual Alachua County Youth Fair and Livestock Show not only showcases the hard work, dedication, and skills of youth involved in the event, it also celebrates the area’s agricultural heritage. This year’s show ran Feb. 29 – March 5 at the Alachua County Fairgrounds in Newberry.

The Youth Fair and Livestock Show is an exciting affair that brings together families, farmers and ranchers, and the wider community to witness the culmination of months, and sometimes years, of effort put in by the youthful participants.

The fair boasts a diverse array of livestock exhibits, featuring a variety of animals such as cattle, goats, pigs, and more. From sponsors contributing to prizes and scholarships to local vendors showcasing farm products, the event creates a sense of unity and support within the community. The Youth Fair and Livestock Show thrives on the support of the local community. Businesses, families, and agricultural organizations come together to sponsor events, provide resources, and offer mentorship to the participants.

Each year, the fair brings together 4-H and FFA youth in the community, allowing them an opportunity to demonstrate the dedication they put into raising their animals. Each youth is required to keep a record book on his or her animal. The book tracks the weight of the animal, the amount of feed it is given and time the youth spends with his or her animal.

And while the event lasts only a few days, long before the fair, participating youth are deeply involved in the care and raising of their livestock projects. Whether it's raising a steer, goat, chicken or pig, these youngsters learn the ropes of raising and caring for their animals from nutrition, health, and responsible animal husbandry practices to overall farm management.

Leading up to the final days of the fair, the spotlight shifts to the show ring where students showcase their animals for judging. While the competition is fierce, the emphasis is not only on winning. Youngsters also experience the values of sportsmanship, cooperation, and respect for fellow participants. And judges evaluate not only the animals but also the participants' knowledge, showmanship, and overall commitment to their projects.

The Alachua County Youth Fair and Livestock Show is more than just a showcase of animals; it's a celebration of youth, agriculture, and community.

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GAINESVILLE – March is Women’s History Month, and P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School student Kristen Cooper of Gainesville was just awarded the Notorious RBG Women of Tomorrow Scholarship by National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), a national scholarship organization committed to advancing high achieving students and educators.

Cooper is an avid reader and advocate for banned books. As the President of the Alachua County NAACP Youth Council in Gainesville, she was the only youth panelist who spoke at the NAACP Florida State Conference Spring Quarterly Meeting in Orlando for the Freedom Libraries Project Town Hall meeting to address banned books by the Florida Legislature in March 2023.

Cooper also spoke at the NAACP Youth Council Banned Books Press Conference and held a book giveaway during the 5th Avenue Arts Festival last April. Her Youth Council handed out free books to families in her community and educated them on the recent laws passed. She encouraged people in the community to read the books, pass them onward, and vote. 

“I am constantly reminding my peers and others that reading is fundamental, and books provide insight into our future. Cooper,” said Cooper. “It’s important also to know that all races should be valued and all history, including Black History, is American History. So we all must stay in the fight to make our voices heard.”

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) honors and scholarship program was co-founded by Claes Nobel and James Lewis. It offers a lifetime of benefits, pairing the highest performing students worldwide with high school and college scholarships, events, connections, internships, and career opportunities. For more information, visit www.nshss.org.

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GAINESVILLE/ALACHUA ‒ The Rembert family, a local family with six generations of history in Alachua and Gainesville, recently expanded their legacy of commitment to the area by partnering with Alachua County to better protect water quality in the Santa Fe River. Alachua County Forever, the county’s environmental land acquisition program, closed on purchasing a conservation easement on Jan. 18, 2024 from Davis Rembert and his family, protecting 614 acres of land.

The Rembert property is located in Alachua, within the Springs Priority Focus Area for Columbia, Hornsby and Treehouse Springs. This special property protects almost 3 miles of Bad Dog Branch, part of the creek system that feeds into Mill Creek Sink. Dye trace studies have confirmed the hydrologic connection between Mill Creek Sink and Hornsby Spring, a designated Outstanding Florida Spring on the Santa Fe River. Protection of the Santa Fe River is one of the highest priorities for the Alachua County Forever Program.

The sale of this conservation easement is the latest in a long history of investments in the local community's future on the part of Davis Rembert. Through this easement, the property has been protected from future development while providing for the continuation of agricultural activities, including hay, row crops, and timber production. In addition, over 200 acres of the property have been designated as “preservation zones,” providing even greater protection for the rare habitats, plants, and wildlife that utilize the land and waters. 

When asked why he chose to protect his land this way, Davis shared this vision by saying, “Our family was fortunate to purchase this beautiful property, and we are excited to protect it in perpetuity with the Alachua County Forever program. This agreement protects this special place's beauty, hydrology, and diversity. This brings great joy to our family, knowing future generations will enjoy the land and its many attributes.”

Protection of the property was made possible through the commitment of the Rembert family, support from county citizens and leadership, and partnership with the Suwannee River Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Funding for this conservation land purchase was provided by the voter-approved Wild Spaces and Public Places sales tax and a $1-million grant from the Suwannee River Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection through the Springs Protection Program. 

The Rembert conservation easement is the first Alachua County Forever conservation land acquisition of 2024, following county voters' re-authorization of the Wild Spaces and Public Places initiative in November 2022. Through ongoing citizen support and partnerships, the program has worked with willing landowners to protect 34,277 acres since its inception in 2000.

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