The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida voted March 20 to rent or buy a new space after the closure of the Gainesville Community Counseling Center.
The pride center’s board voted in favor of the motion to offer $525,000, with a down payment of $200,000, on a building for sale at 1204 NW 10th Ave. The board made the decision on the basis that the center would have a 30-day inspection period, during which the board isn’t obligated to purchase the property if the center decides it cannot afford the building.
The Pride Community Center is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering safe environments for LGBTQ+ members, according to its website. The center serves counties near Gainesville at its current location and offers spaces and support for LGBTQ+ groups, ranging from youth groups to senior groups.
The pride center has subleased with GCCC since 2023 and is expected to move out by the end of April.
Commercial inspection costs are estimated at $3,550, according to Zach Bongiovanni, PCCNCF assistant vice president and volunteer coordinator.
An anonymous donation of $50,000 would be allocated toward the building's down payment, Bongiovanni said.
The building's owners offered the pride center a 24-month initial owner-financed loan with a 7% interest rate.
Board members discussed the risks of moving forward with the offer. There were conflicting opinions between the board and community members.
At the meeting, Bongiovanni advocated for moving forward in the vote because he said the building is located in a great location and is spacious. He also said the 30-day inspection period would allow the center to gather quotes for property insurance and utilities, giving the board time to consider all the facts available and explore other options, like leasing.
Dex Lewis, the pride center's vice president, agreed with the convenience of the building's location.
“It would have very high visibility,” they said, “which is something we haven’t had in a really long time, or maybe ever.”
Other board members argued the pride center cannot afford a down payment on the new building before fundraising.
Florida Sun, the pride center’s assistant treasurer, voted against the motion to make an offer. Sun said their decision mostly considered finances.
“I need to see more concrete numbers and actual answers before I can vote yes,” they said.
Aldo Garza, the pride center’s president, expressed concern about the board's infrastructure — and described the members as “very young.” Garza also said he would rather the center take more time in making this decision.
“Why can’t we wait a year and hopefully more real estate will come up, and our infrastructure is correct and we have a capital campaign?” Garza said.
Dozens of community members gathered at the meeting to express their concerns.
Jan Zumbrun, a 74-year-old member of the Pride Community Center Senior Group, said she recommended that the board vote to make an offer on the building. Zumbrun said she understood the board’s hesitation.
“This community is ripe for a permanent home for the pride community center that supports all the many functions it does, and this moves us one step closer,” she said.
Autumn McClellan, a 38-year-old community member and former assistant treasurer for the pride center, voiced her concerns for the pride center’s financial state if it moves forward with purchasing the building.
“Those numbers that have been discussed tonight represent minimums that will be spent, not maximums,” she said. “There’s not enough information delivered by the board tonight to know what the potential ceiling of those numbers could be.”
Moving forward, McClellan said she wants to see an effort of the board members to investigate all of the factors and risks associated with buying a building.
Contact Alabama Weninegar at aweninegar@alligator.org. Follow her on X at @AlabamaW40513.
Alabama Weninegar is a first-year journalism major and The Alligator's Spring 2026 University General Assignment Reporter. She also works a part-time job at Wyatt's Coffee downtown. In her free time, she enjoys watching her favorite shows on a rainy day or re-reading the Twilight series.
