Siena Duncan

Alligator Staff Writer

Siena Duncan is a sophomore journalism major and the graduate school beat reporter for the Alligator. When she's not out reporting, she's typically bothering her friends about podcasts or listening to Metric on repeat.

Shannon Ahern

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Commission approves zoning for affordable housing units in complex to be built in Innovation District

By Siena Duncan | Feb. 3

The complex will be built beside the intersection of SW 2nd Avenue and SW 10th Street, in an area called the Innovation District between UF campus and downtown Gainesville. The building contract includes a clause requiring 10% of the units to be affordable housing, which will allow for 20 units with the current plan.

A pedestrian jaywalks across West University Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.

Chasity Maynard

METRO

City receives $8 million in federal funds for University Avenue construction

By Siena Duncan | Feb. 1

Gainesville was awarded an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Wednesday. The money will go toward renovating University Avenue.

Craig Lowe speaks to his supporters in his campaign office after losing the mayoral race to Ed Braddy. Lowe finished with about 45 percent of the vote.

Aundre Larrow

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Craig Lowe, Gainesville’s first openly gay mayor, dies at 65

By Siena Duncan | Jan. 23

Lowe died in Gainesville Jan. 14 at 65. He was the District 4 city commissioner for seven years, then the first openly gay mayor from 2010 to 2013. He’s survived by his brother Allan Lowe and a legacy of protecting human rights and the environment alike.

Shannon Ahern

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission grants interim charter officers permanent roles, fails to repeal commissioner salary increases

By Siena Duncan | Jan. 20

Surprising several commissioners, the Gainesville City Commission voted Thursday to start negotiations to make three temporary charter officers permanent after over a year of restructuring.

Courtesy of the Associated Press

METRO

Gainesville Fire Rescue responds to construction site medical emergency

By Siena Duncan | Jan. 13

Gainesville Fire Rescue transported a psychiatric patient from an unfinished building during a medical emergency Thursday afternoon.

Shannon Ahern

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

County Commission halts construction of Dogwood Village affordable housing in East Gainesville

By Siena Duncan | Jan. 11

The commission voted 3-2 Tuesday night to purchase land originally meant for affordable housing, officially stopping construction of the proposed Dogwood Village.

Host Sponsor Dr. Marvin Dunn stands with Rosewood descendent Gregory Doctor during the Rosewood Wreath Laying ceremony Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

Caia Reese

METRO

Hundreds celebrate resiliency through Rosewood wreath laying ceremony

By Siena Duncan and Jack Lemnus | Jan. 9

A wreath of white roses now sits on what once was the railroad used by Black women and children to flee the violence of the Rosewood massacre 100 years ago. The Sunday wreath laying ceremony commemorated the Black residents who lost their homes and lives to the massacre.

Shannon Ahern

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission restores exclusionary zoning, will recruit city manager

By Siena Duncan | Jan. 6

The Gainesville City Commission voted 4-3 to restore exclusionary zoning, which nullified the previous controversial ordinance that eliminated single family zoning.

The UF Levin College of Law located at 309 Village Drive Friday, Nov, 4, 2022.

Lorenzo Vasquez

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

UF law students build back student life after pandemic

By Siena Duncan | Dec. 5

For the tens of thousands of dollars some pay to attend the UFs College of Law, the student experience was an integral part of getting the most out of their education — three years ago. Student life took a massive hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maguire Village is a student housing facility located off of Radio Road.

Rae Riiska

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF coalition bands together to save graduate housing complexes

By Siena Duncan | Nov. 14

There are now about 500 available on-campus student housing units for around 4,000 graduate students, GAU Co-President Bryn Taylor said. UF will remove 348 units in total.