Downtown Advisory Board

1 City of Gainesville Downtown Advisory Board MINUTES March 4, 2025, 9:00 a.m. City Hall, Roberta Lisle Kline Conference Room (Room 16) 200 East University Ave Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Chair Linda McGurn, Teresa Callen, Timothy Hutchens, Anthony Lyons Members Absent: Vice-Chair Richard Allen, Jacob Ihde, Sara Puyana _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Timothy Hutchens Seconded by Anthony Lyons Approved D. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Moved by Timothy Hutchens Seconded by Anthony Lyons Approved E. CONSENT None F. REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

2 The GCRA Director introduced the first Downtown Ambassadors Report and introduced representatives from Block by Block to answer questions from DAB members. Rick went on to say that they will provide quarterly reports to be presented at the JCC meetings Member McGurn asked that any future updates be included as part of the agenda. Member Callen asked questions relevant to the efforts made by Block by Block with the houseless population. Mr. Davis provided specific success stories. Member Callen asked staff what would be the best way to obtain the names of landlords that may be willing to work in this effort. Director Smith stated that the questions could be routed to the GCRA. G. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2025-174 Point Awards for Business Improvement Grant Program applicants February 3, 2025 Cycle (B) Daniel presented the BIG applications to be considered by the Board for approval. He provided a review of the program and the funding amount available by tier. The applications received are: 1. Camellia Rose Inn T2 - Susanna Peddie 2. City Church T2- (Video) $50K application. Project in excess of $140K. Mr. Daniel Holtzhouse spoke on behalf of City Church. and answered questions from the Board. 3. Matheson Museum T2 - $7,500 application The Building is listed in the local historic registry. The funds will be used to replace two windows on the front side of the building. No representatives were present. Daniel reviewed the staff scoring sheet in response to a member's question. 4. Tekton Architecture T2 - Received 19 pts. in the objective review Mr. Todd 5. Old Mt. Carmel Church/Pleasant Hill Baptist Church T2 or T3 (Heritage Trail applicant) Received 17 pts. in the objective review. Planned improvements will cost in excess of $200K

3 6. Laurel Oak Inn T1 7. Florida Theater T3 - A funding request for the rehabilitation of their sign. Moved by Teresa Callen Seconded by Timothy Hutchens Recommendation: The Downtown Advisory Board follows the Business Improvement Grant program guidelines and awards points to applicants, which determines their rankings and award of grant funds through the Program. Final Results Tier Two Applications - Downtown 1. Camellia Rose - 19.167 $1,291.37 2. City Church - 13.75 3. Matheson Museum - 16.75 4. Tekton Architecture - 27.5 $37,965 Tier Two - Pleasant St. 1. Old Mt. Carmel Church/Pleasant Hill Baptist Church - 24.5 $50,000 Tier Three 1. Florida Theater T3 - Julie DeCarmine - $55,000 - While this will not open the doors, the project will be a jumpstart to a larger endeavor. Member Callen wants to make sure that the use of the facility is preserved because the building is actively available for lease. Member Lyons argued that the applicant's listing as a historic building should not be considered as it was not a designated a historic building when the application was submitted as stated in the program guidelines. Hence, we need to revisit the guidelines in order to make it easier for applicants that may be in the midst of the review process. 27.607 pts. $55,000.00 Approved

4 H. PUBLIC COMMENT Kali Blount - Expressed relief that the Downtown Ambassador Program is working so well. Ms. Jenna Horner - provided a proposal for a public arts curator for Downtown. Member Callen presented on her behalf. Rick Smith - In response to Ms. Horner's idea, stated that the Downtown Event Program may be a route to achieving this effort. Parks and Recreation should also be brought into the conversation. I. COMMUNICATIONS Rick Smith - Provided an update the DAB on pending items: 1. Reopening of SW 1st Ave. 2. Downtown St. Parking and Valet 3. Sidewalk Cafe Ordinance 4. Streatery - Included in all recommendations to the City Commission, including the presentation on 2/20 J. BOARD MEMBER COMMENT Member Lyons asked about the results of the City Commission meeting on the Streatery. Member McGurn stated that the Commission went with its own recommendation, which was totally different from DAB's. Although the Commission went with the current engineering firm, the firm will need to consider what transpired during the discussion. K. NEXT MEETING DATE Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. L. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 11:33 a.m. _________________________ Rick Smith, Director of Community Reinvestment Area