WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Take a walk back through all of the Florida storylines we covered for you this year.
Read More »Historic Preservation Board begins to decide future of Thelma A. Boltin Center
The Gainesville Historic Preservation Board conducted its monthly meeting at City Hall on Tuesday to vote on the future of the Thelma A. Boltin Center. In a 5-1 vote with one abstention, the board decided to preserve the building’s auditorium, while demolishing and renovating the east wing under conditions recommended …
Read More »The future of the Thelma A. Boltin Center: a taxpayer’s burden or historic preservation?
The historic Thelma A. Boltin Center, a once bustling entertainment space for Gainesville residents, now lies silent as the building slowly succumbs to the trials of time. Located at 516 NE 2nd Ave. and built in 1943 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal initiative, the community center has …
Read More »Florida Senate Scales Back Prison Closure Plan
Lawmakers will iron out differences between the two chambers’ budget plans before wrapping up the 2021 legislative session on April 30.
Read More »Rural Leaders Worry About ‘Devastating’ Prison Closures
A plan to shut down up to four Florida state prisons is drawing concern from officials in rural areas, where some rely on correctional facilities for jobs.
Read More »Cedar Key Bridge Construction Meets Mixed Emotions From Residents
On a one-way bridge connecting the largest tourism district in Cedar Key, yellow caution tape hangs from six roadblocks forming a circle around holes separating the sidewalk from the road. A red “Sidewalk Closed” sign warns motorists and people passing through to nearby motels, restaurants and other businesses of one …
Read More »‘Retreat’ Not An Option For A California Beach Town, But It’s Already Happening In Duval County
By Jessica Palombo & Nathan Rott, NPR In Jacksonville Beach, Kimberlee Prescott is selling her home to the county so it can be torn down. The house, built just over two decades ago at 3640 Sanctuary Way S., is located in unfortunate proximity to a Florida Department of Transportation drainage culvert along Butler Boulevard. After Hurricanes Matthew and Irma, rain and storm surges caused “tremendous damage, expense, time loss, and disruption to the homeowner and her family,” according to Jacksonville
Read More »Cost Doubles For Restoration Project At Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park
The original estimated cost to renovate the Hartman House was around $200,000 before J. E. Decker Construction thoroughly analyzed the building.
Read More »St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Torn Down Ahead Of Meeting That Might Have Preserved It
Deconstruction on the building began Wednesday, within hours of the City of Gainesville issuing a demolition permit.
Read More »Gainesville’s Historic Preservation Board Wants To Save St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
Gainesville's Historical Preservation Board nominated St. Michael’s Episcopal Church to be added to the local register, potentially saving it from being torn down. The Episcopal Diocese of Florida would prefer to raze the structure and develop the land.
Read More »