This fall, community members can escape the honks and horns of Gainesville traffic and wander around a pedestrian-only portion of downtown.
Gainesville’s The Streatery project began construction April 13. The $4.5 million project will transform Southwest First Avenue downtown into a two-block pedestrian-friendly site for hosting festivals and events. The project will include “outdoor lighting, seating, landscaping and electrical outlets,” according to a press release.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the city converted Southwest First Avenue — from South Main Street to Southwest First Street — into a pedestrian-only area. The Streatery project extends the area from South Main Street to Southwest Second Street, expanding it from one block to two…