A plan to modernize downtown Gainesville has been mapped out and color-coded.
So far, Brown & Cullen Inc., an engineering consulting company, has laid out a map of downtown that spreads from Sixth Street to 13th Street and University Avenue to Fifth Avenue, outlining what buildings are in the area and which ones could be developed.
Gainesville City Commissioners asked the company Monday to look into marking areas where more parking and trees could be added.
Jay Brown, president and principal engineer of the company, said the current research group hadn’t been asked to look into parking or plants, but a later study could look into both.
“Quite frankly, parking wasn’t a big part of our study,” he said. “But we realized quickly that we can’t ignore it.”
Commissioner Warren Nielsen said a bus shuttle system could be set up to get people to and from downtown.
“The issue of parking is something we need to hit head on,” he said.
Commissioner Randy Wells cautioned not to overestimate the number of people who will drive downtown.
“We are all inclined to think that we’re going to jump in our cars and we’re going to drive there,” he said.
The company’s current research found that out of the 204 building spaces downtown, 141 could be renovated if the owners choose.
Brown said renovations are optional, but the city is looking to have taller buildings, perhaps eight stories high, that can fit more businesses and apartments.
