Title
Proposed Cade Museum (B)
Explanation
The family of the late Dr. Robert Cade is interested in creating a museum in Gainesville that will in part celebrate his work and ideas and the spirit of innovation. The museum could potentially generate exciting benefits for the Gainesville community. A site has not been selected as of yet, but several alternatives are under review. One of the candidate locations being considered is the Depot Park site.
The City of Gainesville is in the process of developing the Depot Park site, located at the corner of Depot Avenue and South Main Street. The park has convenient access to downtown, the University of Florida, and surrounding neighborhoods. In 2002, a community design charrette enthusiastically attended by local residents led to the creation of a conceptual park design consisting of a variety of recreational and cultural amenities. GRU is planning the cleanup of environmental contamination on the site to allow the redevelopment to proceed. In addition, transportation enhancements planned for South Main Street and Depot Avenue will improve public safety and aesthetics in the vicinity of the park. For these reasons and more, the Depot Park site would be an excellent choice for locating the museum. The combined features of these two projects can potentially create significant possibilities and benefits. The East Gainesville SPROUT Project Task Force has met with the Cade Museum organizers and expressed support for the project.
Fiscal Note
None
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) Authorize the Mayor and City Manager to sign a letter of interest to the Cade family and museum organizers extending an invitation to work with staff and community representatives to explore the possibilities of joining the Cade museum with the Depot Park project; and 2) Request the CRA to work with the Cade Museum organizers.
NOTE: It is anticipated that the City Commission will waive the Rules and h...
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