Title
GTEC Area Redevelopment Update (B)
Explanation
The largest undertakings of the Eastside Redevelopment District include the redevelopment of the Gainesville Technology Entrepreneurship Center (GTEC) area and the former Kennedy Homes site. The sites are located within a quarter mile of each other, about one mile from downtown Gainesville and two miles from the University of Florida.
In May 2015, the CRA Board approved the 100% master plan for the 13.6 acre GTEC site. The master plan is a blueprint for a mixed-use site with up to ten new commercial buildings, which will provide opportunities to retain GTEC graduates on site as well as attract new economic activity to the area. The fully permitted construction documents and approved master plan set is anticipated by June 2016. Staff has been working to foster full development of the site, combining tenant recruitment, marketing and physical improvements for a cohesive economic development strategy. Staff has been in communication with a viable tenant with a strong desire to locate to the GTEC site. In addition, Staff has reignited communications with the respondents of the 2014 RFP and they have a renewed interest in the project.
In 2015, staff hosted two naming and branding community workshops for the GTEC Redevelopment Area. The inspirations from those community meetings were used to create a Style Guide including a name and logo for the project. Staff will present a full update to include information on the design, construction, tenant/developer recruitment, and marketing efforts.
Fiscal Note
None
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to the CRA Board: Hear Presentation