Gainesville unveils newly renovated City Hall Plaza
By Logan McBride | May 8Cheers echoed through Gainesville’s City Hall Plaza as Mayor Harvey Ward welcomed residents to the newly renovated, more open public space.
Metro General Assignment Reporter Logan McBride is a fourth-year journalism student and this summer's general assignment reporter. He previously served as a reporter for the city/county commission, K-12 education and track & field. Logan enjoys watching sports, going to the movies and playing basketball. When he's not working, you can find him on adventures with his friends, cuddling with his cat Max, or with his girlfriend.
Cheers echoed through Gainesville’s City Hall Plaza as Mayor Harvey Ward welcomed residents to the newly renovated, more open public space.
Layla Haynes’ record-breaking 1500-meter run stole the spotlight as Florida track and field compiled an impressive slate of wins, personal bests and podium finishes in the East Coast Relays.
With just a few weeks to go until the start of the SEC Outdoor Championships, Gators track and field athletes rewrote program record books at two different meets this weekend, setting marks in Gainesville and North Carolina.
Early, the No. 36 Arkansas Razorbacks were able to seize momentum, capturing the doubles point to begin competition. But the Gators bounced back, crushing the Razorbacks in singles play en route to a 4-1 victory.
On a weekend that featured senior spotlights, weather delays and outdoor debuts, several Gators found ways to shine at the UF’s Pepsi Relays.
Behind distance wins and a banner day for Gator throwers, Florida delivered on a successful two day stretch in Tallahassee and Raleigh.
On a windy day in Lexington, Kentucky, the Gators completed their sweep of the Kentucky Wildcats behind a surge of runs.
Behind blistering runs from Justin Braun and Wanya McCoy, Florida’s sprint squad delivered one of its strongest showings of the season.
With four minutes left in the second quarter, Florida briefly found momentum. Guard Emilija Dakic hit back-to-back threes, and a Laila Reynolds steal led to an Alexia Dizeko basket, tying the game at 23 with Georgia.
Multiple podium finishes in the distance events kept Florida competitive at the men’s SEC Indoor Championships, but the Gators’ efforts were only enough for fourth in the final team standings.
Mayor Harvey Ward is among those at the ribbon cutting for the renovated Gainesville City Hall Plaza Friday, May 8, 2026.
A man sits on a scooter protesting against the creation of Wildflowers Music Park in Melrose, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
Attendees gather at a public workshop about the Citizens Field Revitalization project on May 29, 2025.