WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
A new fire station will replace the site that houses three Gainesville businesses near the 500 block of South Main Street in the growing downtown art district.
The Gainesville City Commission approved the approximately $1 million purchase of the land to use as the new site for Fire Station No. 1.
The Repurpose Project, Everyman Sound Company and The Church of Holy Colors will have until December 2014 to move.
Mike Myers, one of the owners of the Repurpose Project, said he is sad to go because his nonprofit has had a lot of business since it opened, and it probably will not be able to return to the downtown area.
“For a year and a half, we’ve been in the right place but at the wrong time,” Myers said.
Peter Theoktisto, owner of Everyman Sound Company, said he does not mind moving.
Theoktisto said he will break even on costs and will get a better location that does not need repairs like the current building does.
The purchase is not final until the city gets results of environmental testing on the property.
Morgan Falcon and Chip Skambis contributed reporting.
