City of Gainesville - File #: 210812.

• File #: 210812.
• Version: 3
• Type: Staff Recommendation
• Status: Passed
• File created: 1/10/2022
• In control: Utility Advisory Board
• On agenda: 4/14/2022
• Final action: 4/14/2022
• Title: Transferring Management of the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) Boulware Springs Historic Water Works Facility to General Government (GG) (B) **This item was presented to the UAB on 4/15/22.**

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
4/21/2022	3	City Commission	Approved as Recommended	Pass
4/14/2022	2	Utility Advisory Board	Approved as Recommended
1/13/2022	1	Utility Advisory Board	Striken From the Agenda

Title
Transferring Management of the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) Boulware Springs Historic Water Works Facility to General Government (GG) (B)

**This item was presented to the UAB on 4/15/22.**

Explanation
The Boulware Springs Historic Water Works facility, a pump house and spring, began supplying drinking water to the City of Gainesville in 1898. In 1905, Gainesville’s plentiful water supply was used to entice the University of Florida to locate here. The spring was abandoned in 1948 upon completion of a water treatment plant. The building was added to the US National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and was last renovated in 1990. Boulware Springs, Gainesville’s only artesian spring, produces approximately 194,000 gallons of water a day, which flows into Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. The building was available to the public as an event rental space for many years, but has fallen into a state of disrepair and the boardwalk and building have been closed for public safety since 2020. The Boulware Springs Historic Water Works is located within Boulware Springs Nature Park at 3300 SE 15th Street, parcel ID 16244-000-000.

Wild Spaces & Public Places, a program funded by a half cent sales tax being collected from 2017 through 2024, received direction from the City Commission on March 4, 2021 to begin a renovation project encompassing both Boulware Springs Nature Park and the Boulware Springs Historic Water Works.

The City has agreed to take over the maintenance and operation of the Water Works building, spring and associated grounds. Upon completion of the renovation project, the City will provide public access to Boulware Springs Historic Water Works facility as a rentable space for meetings, retreats, weddings, etc. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been prepared and approved by GRU and GG that details the terms of the transfer.

Existing site improvements include a masonry spring house (the “Water Works” building) and a covere...