In a unanimous vote, the Gainesville City Commission named current Chief Operating Officer Andrew Persons as interim city manager.
Interim City Manager
In early August, City Manager Cynthia Curry sent in her letter of resignation with plans to leave the post Nov. 21. At Thursday’s City Commission meeting, Mayor Harvey Ward initiated the search for an interim city manager by suggesting Persons take the job.
“Our COO, Andrew Persons, has done a tremendous job working at the right hand of the city manager,” Ward said. “And I don’t think there is a better candidate for that position.”
Commissioners shared the same sentiment, as did public commenters.
Just before voting, Persons thanked the commissioners, calling the nomination an honor and expressing his excitement to lead.
“I’m up to the challenge,” Persons said. “I have complete confidence in the team on the fourth floor, the leadership team at the city and all of the employees that work for us. I will do you proud. I will work incredibly hard day in, day out for as long as you allow me to.”
While an interim city manager has been named, the Commission plans to begin the search for a permanent city manager in October.
Thelma Boltin Center
In the afternoon session, the City Commission faced the task of determining the fate of the Thelma Boltin Center, a historic two-story building in the Duckpond neighborhood first built in 1942 and used until recently as a multipurpose facility.
A presentation provided by a representative of Wild Space & Public Places recognized the site’s historic value, while also acknowledging the collapse of structure over time, including a structural failure in the building’s roof first identified in 2020.
The City Commission was faced with a vote to either restore the collapsing auditorium or to demolish the building. The latter suggestion brought heavy feedback from the community.
“The community has rallied around this historic building,” Gainesville resident Melanie Barr said. “You cannot consider demolishing a landmark like this. It has cultural, historical, architectural significance.”
Despite testimonies from various Gainesville residents and members of the Friends of Thelma Boltin Center, an organization dedicated to the historic restoration of the building, the commission voted 6-1 to demolish the center. Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker was the lone dissenting vote.
In an effort to recognize the building’s significance, the board agreed to allocate the remaining funds, originally intended for restoration purposes, toward using the site as a trailhead along Streetwater Trail Loop.
Contact Grace Larson at glarson@alligator.org. Follow her on X @graceellarson
Grace is a first year journalism student, serving as city/county commission reporter for the Fall 2025 semester. While she has not previously been on staff, her early journalism experience can be attributed to Devil's Advocate, her high school newspaper. When she is not writing, Grace enjoys staying active by running, weight lifting, hiking and doing yoga. Her other pastimes include thrifting and working on random art projects.
