CITY BEAUTIFICATION BOARD 2017 AWARDS Gainesville, | April 26, 2017

OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD: Depot Park and Share-the-Road Memorial

OUTSTANDING INSTITUTION AWARD: Joseph Hernandez Hall Chemistry/Chemical Biology Building OUTSTANDING INSTITUTION AWARD: Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center

CITY BEAUTIFICATION BOARD 2017 AWARDS

The Thomas Center Spanish Court and Long Gallery

April 26, 2017

302 Northeast 6th Avenue Gainesville, Florida COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE Lauren Poe, Mayor Harvey Budd Craig Carter Todd Chase Charles Goston Adrian Hayes-Santos Helen Warren

CITY OF GAINESVILLE Anthony Lyons, City Manager Fredrick Murry, Assistant City Manager Paul Folkers, Assistant City Manager Wendy Thomas, Department of Doing Director Ralph Hilliard, Planning Manager Earline Luhrman, Urban Forestry Inspector, City Beautification Board Liaison Jessica Gonzalez, Intern

Assisting with the program: Bedez Massey, Planner Ella Bernhardt Brooks, Staff Assistant Sally Wazny, Program Coordinator Denese Wethy, Staff Assistant Erica Chatman, Facilities Coordinator Lacy Holtzworth, City Horticulturist Mark Siburt, City Arborist

2 | City Beautification Board 2017 Awards CITY BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, 2017 Tricia Hood, Chair Fletcher Crowe Adam Boudreaux, Vice Chair John Paul Fiore Karla Shopoff, Secretary Kathryn Horter Jessica Gonzalez, Intern Selena Patterson Earline Luhrman, Liaison Jackie Smith Kimberly Buchholz Anita Spring Lissa Campbell

CITY BEAUTIFICATION BOARD PROJECTS EVENTS Florida Arbor Day Beautification Awards Urban Forestry Workshop DESIGN GUIDELINES AND WORKSHOPS Comprehensive Civic Design Program Gateway Corridor Study Roadway Lighting Standards Median Guidelines Study

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Music: Vic Donnell Presenting of the Awards: Tricia Hood Wine donated by: Gaston’s Tree Service Award Narratives: Fletcher Crowe (editor) Catering: Publix Cover Photos: Jackie Smith, Jessica Gonzalez Plants: Park, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and Awardees Printed Program: Renaissance Printers Layout and Design: Tracy Bryant Floral Design: The Four Seasons Garden Club

City Beautification Board 2017 Awards | 3 CITY BEAUTIFICATION BOARD PLANTINGS ARBOR DAY PARKS & PLANTINGS 2017: Evergreen Cemetery and the A. Quinn Jones Museum (66 trees) 2016: Matheson History Museum and Sweetwater Branch Creek (64 trees) Dedication of a 100 year old Date Palm to Earline Luhrman, Urban Forestry Inspector 2015: Gainesville Police Department and Fred Cone Park (62 trees)

2014: 30th Year of Gainesville as Tree City, USA Arbor Day (60 trees planted at Depot Park and South Main Street (63 trees)

2013: City of Gainesville / Alachua County Senior Recreation Center (58 trees) 2012: Thomas Center, University Avenue & Evergreen Cemetery (56 trees) 2011: Ironwood Golf Course (54 trees) 2010: Kirby Smith Center and City Hall (52 trees) 2009: 25th year of Gainesville as Tree City, USA (total: 61 trees: A.N.N.E. Park (13 trees); Gainesville Technology Enterprise Center (25 trees); Girl Scout Park (Kiwanis Park) (10 trees); Matheson Center (1 Liberty American elm); SE 7th Street (10 trees); Thomas Center (2 trees) 2008: Green Tree Park: Kiwanis Challenge Playground (48 trees) 2007: Evergreen Cemetery (46 trees) 2006: Roper Park, Thomas Center, Sweetwater Creek (44 trees) 2005: Westside Park (42 trees) 2004: Eastside Recreation Center at Cone Park (40 trees) 2003: Cedar Grove Park (38 trees) 2002: Westside Park (36 trees) 2001: Sun Center Elms (downtown, 8 trees) 2000: Waldo Road Beautification Grant (206 trees) 1999: Northwest 13th Street Streetscape (live oaks in tree wells) 1998: West University “Oaks on the Avenue” (6th-12th Streets) (20 trees) 1997: “Anti-Arbor Day” to remove invasive tallow trees 1996: East University “Oaks on the Avenue” (3rd-9th Streets) (20 trees) 1995: East University “Oaks on the Avenue” (9th Street- Waldo Road)(20 trees) 1984 to 1994: Downtown Plaza Ceremonies

4 | City Beautification Board 2017 Awards THE AWARDS The annual City Beautification Awards recognize must result in the improvement of the area, property excellence in a variety of design categories. The awards or neighborhood. highlight projects of outstanding aesthetic and artistic Award-winning projects reflect the commitment of appeal. Projects are evaluated for originality, innova- many individuals to excellence in design. Owners, tion, and creativity, as well as for their sustainability, managers, architects, landscape architects, engineers, maintenance and use of serviceable materials. An designers and others have contributed to these prize- award-winning site must exhibit appropriate land uti- winning projects. The City Beautification Board lization, effective planning, compatibility with the area salutes those who have made a significant contribu- and screening of unsightly views. All projects must tion to our community through each outstanding meet applicable building and landscaping codes. Each project.

THE PROGRAM

Convocation: Earline Luhrman, Urban Forestry Inspector Welcome: Tricia Hood, City Beautification Board Chair Presentation of Awards by City Beautification Board Members: Outstanding Individual Outstanding Group Restoration & Adaptive Reuse Institutional Facilities Apartments Commercial & Retail Businesses Environmental Enhancement Public Spaces Gainesville Heritage Outstanding Institutional Outstanding Environmental Closing Remarks: Tricia Hood

City Beautification Board 2017 Awards | 5 OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Anita Spring

This year the City As chair of the CBB, she modernized the annual awards Beautification ceremony, redesigned the logo, brochures, and plaques, Board salutes Dr. and moved the board toward Urban Civic Design. Under Anita Spring for her leadership, the board carried out workshops and her outstanding commissioned studies that were approved by both the City contribution to the and County Commissions, including the “Comprehensive beautification of Civic Design,” “the Gateway Corridor Study,” and “the our city over many Median Guidelines Study.” Starting in 2012, she and Earline decades. Dr. Spring is Luhrman, urban forester and staff liaison to the CBB, Professor Emeritus of configured the now annual Urban Forestry Workshop for Anthropology at the landscapers and the general public. . She has chaired or supervised many Arbor Days since She has chaired and 1993, and started the idea of planting twice the number co-chaired the City of trees as the number of years Gainesville was a Tree City Beautification Board USA. 2017 was the 33rd year, and 66 trees were planted for many years. at Evergreen Cemetery and the A. Quinn Jones Museum, After serving as Associate Dean of the College of Liberal as well as a commemorative tree for CBB member Abigail Arts and Sciences at UF and Director of Women in Dougherty, a UF student killed near campus, planted at Agriculture, she served as Chief of the Women and the Matheson History Museum. The 25th and 30th years, Agriculture and Rural Development unit for the Food and in particular, generated gala ceremonies at the Thomas Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Based at Center, Matheson, and Depot Park Building. FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, Anita had worldwide Dr. Spring is the current president of the Matheson History responsibility for policy and projects of that program. Not Museum, a former president of the Retired Faculty of the surprisingly, when she returned to Gainesville, she had the University of Florida, and the vice president of the United perspective to “Think Globally and Act Locally.” She joined Nations Association–Gainesville. She is the author of 11 several boards, but quickly became enamored with the City books and 65 articles. Beautification Board and served as Chair of the CBB for many years.

6 | City Beautification Board 2017 Awards OUTSTANDING GROUP AWARD

Gainesville Camellia Society

camellia blooms. Flower arrangement displays featuring camellias were provided by the Gainesville Garden Club and attracted much attention. A short introductory course on camellia culture, including a walk through the camellia garden was also popular during the show. In 2012 the GCS, with the help of MG volunteers, began a project to revitalize the Camellia/ Azalea Garden. After much work, the KBG Camellia/Azalea garden has become a well admired showcase. A Camellia Species area has been added and a section of the garden includes camellia varieties registered The Gainesville Camellia Society (GCS) is a voluntary, by members of the GCS. GCS monthly meetings are open not for profit organization of camellia enthusiasts with to non-members and provide educational programs and purposes to promote camellia growing, provide education other activities focusing on correct planting technique, about camellias, and encourage civic beautification, care of camellias, cloning plants by air-layering, grafting, especially camellia plantings. GCS has membership in pest control, pruning and fertilization. Experienced the Atlantic Coast, American Camellia, and International growers willingly share their knowledge with all. GCS also Camellia Societies. The GCS has two major projects maintains a liaison and provides volunteer help to Wilmot throughout the year. It sponsors an Annual Camellia Gardens on the UF Campus to maintain the camellias in Show at, and with the support of Kanapaha Botanical the garden. The camellia garden to the East side of the Gardens(KBG) in early January of each year. It works North Florida Regional Hospital was an earlier project of at KBG throughout the year, with the assistance of the the GCS and is popular locally. During the Spring Garden Alachua Master Gardener(MG) program and GCS member Festival at KBG the GCS booth provides visitors with volunteers to maintain and improve the Camellia/Azalea information on camellia care and culture. A more recent Garden. The Annual Show in January, 2017 brought nearly addition to GCS educational activities is the “Gainesville 1400 outstanding blooms by 36 exhibitors from Florida Camellia Society” Facebook page that displays photos of and to the Gainesville area. Even with the cold blooms locally grown and offers tips and advice on caring weather, visitors attended the two day show to admire the for camellias.

City Beautification Board 2017 Awards | 7 RESTORATION AND ADAPTIVE REUSE

Comfort Temp Company | 4301 NW 6th Street Comfort Temp is not just a heating, ventilation, and air environment, and stands as a model for other local conditioning company; it is an example of what a true businesses to follow. The outside restoration of the property community based business is all about. Comfort Temp includes an improved façade facing the street, new roof and Company began in 1985 as a small growing team of windows, and native trees lining the landscape between HVAC experts. Within the last 33 years, Comfort Temp the building and the sidewalk. The result is a building has developed into a full-service mechanical/HVAC that takes advantage of an existing structure, improves it, company specializing in heating and air conditioning and seamlessly compliments the surrounding businesses services and providing excellent service at a good value to in the area. the community’s residential, commercial and industrial As a company with deep ties the Gainesville community, customers. Today, Comfort Temp proudly services Comfort Temp understands that its responsibility to our Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Marion Counties as residents goes beyond providing quality services. well as Lake City and Palatka. The architect for the project is Juris Luzins, and the Its location at 4301 NW 6th Street underwent restoration engineer is Jim Meehan. that greatly improved the attractiveness of our urban

Felipe’s Taqueria | 1209 W University Avenue At the corner of W. University and NW 12th St formerly a relaxing and casual space for having fun with friends occupied by End Zone, Mellow Mushroom, and Miami and family. Subs etc. Felipe’s Taqueria owner and architect Rob Stumm The Felipe’s Taqueria concept is a family-owned and used a natural palette of jasmine, rough cut bald cypress operated fast casual Mexican restaurant and cocktail and white paint for the exterior styling and completed bar. At Felipe’s their philosophy for food and drink is the interior with horizontal finished bald cypress and that ingredients should always be fresh and the recipes handmade artisan tiles, planters, light fixtures, tables, authentic. The open kitchen and made-in-Mexico décor chairs, and glassware from Tlaquepaque, Mexico. elements in the W. University Avenue restaurant mirror Large roll up garage doors facing University Avenue this philosophy for fresh ingredients and authentic recipes. invite Felipe’s guests into the relaxed dining and bar For over 10 years Felipe’s has been bringing fresh and areas. The restaurant kitchen is an open design with full authentic Mexican food to New Orleans, and now recently visibility from the dining room giving guests an inviting into Florida as well. With 4 locations in New Orleans, one look into the action. On the eastern side of the dining in Naples, FL, and now in Gainesville, each one of the six area a large, covered multi-use patio extends the dining locations have been custom built with close attention to area to the exterior. The patio space boasts bald cypress each restaurant’s unique surroundings and neighborhood. privacy fencing, an authentic Mexican street taco cart, warm lighting, and a full outdoor bar, which add to the The architect for the project was Ralph Long of New open and comfortable design elements of the interior. Orleans; General Contractor JVM of Naples, Landscaping The combination of all elements blends together to create by Skyfrog Landscape, LLC; and Bald Cypress supplied by Griffis Lumber.

Matheson History Museum Library & Archives | 418 E University Avenue For more than 80 years a landmark at 418 East University the Barrow Family Antique Store and most recently The Avenue in Gainesville, the Matheson Library & Archive Melting Pot restaurant. was originally dedicated as the Gospel Tabernacle in 1933. Prior to the Matheson History Museum’s purchase of the Built brick-by-brick by the congregants over a period of property in 2014, it had sat vacant for several years, sadly years, it later served as a church, a job-training center, becoming an eyesore. Guided by Dr. Mark V. Barrow’s vision, with the assistance of a State of Florida Historic

8 | City Beautification Board 2017 Awards Preservation Special Category Grant (SC631) and private Landscape designer Tricia Hood of Florida Green Keepers donors, the Matheson History Museum has restored the LLC and the members of the Gainesville Garden Club’s building to its original simple, yet striking appearance. Jasmine Circle donated their time, and the Frontrunners Like the many congregants who originally constructed the Chapter of the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscapers building, many in the Gainesville community have worked Association donated plants to landscape the grounds. All to restore it and to make its grounds beautiful once again: have worked together to preserve the Matheson Library & Architect Jay Reeves and Associates, Inc., Ryland Wagner Archive for the use and enjoyment of future generations. and T.J. Salmons of Joyner Construction, Inc.

INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES

Holy Faith Parish Life Center | 747 NW 43rd Street Holy Faith Catholic Parish of the St. Augustine Diocese Parish Hall and a Parish Learning Center. The parishioners was established in 1973 on NW 43 St., which was then enthusiastically raised the funds needed for construction. the outskirts of Gainesville. It is now in the center of The new Holy Faith Catholic Church Parish Life Center Gainesville and the church has a thriving membership of building is 18,000 square feet and located opposite the 2100 families. The two original buildings of the parish — a church building. A matching plaza was constructed in front Parish Hall where Mass was celebrated and a Religious of the church, new parking lots built, and an attractive Education Building — were built in 1976. retention pond with a nature walk completed. Though In 1982, the Founding Pastor Fr. Flannan Walsh, with some trees were cut down for the project, the overall the parishioners, built a new Church and a Rectory. campus retains its “park-like” character with an abundance The late Architect Bill Eppes designed the Church, a of trees and landscaping. The Florida Green Keepers were modern structure, in some ways reminiscent of prairie the landscape designers. Also, three of the four parish style architecture. The building materials used in the buildings are of the same style and material, which gives church, which are brown brick, a lofty interior ceiling and the campus a unified feel. terracotta tile, would be important for future buildings at The new building, dedicated in September 2016 by Bishop Holy Faith. Felipe J. Estévez, Bishop of Saint Augustine, has already By 2013 the 1976 buildings, built for a much smaller served the parishioners well in faith education activities congregation, were aging and too small for the parish. and the social life of the parish. Architects Billy Brame with Consequently, in that year Fr. John Phillips, the current Mick Richmond of Brame Heck Architects of Gainesville pastor, proposed that the parishioners build a new Parish designed the parish hall. Parrish-McCall Constructors, Life Center to replace the two original buildings with a new with its owner Mike Walsh and his team, constructed the building.

Sigma Kappa Sorority House - Beta Tau Chapter | 1108 E Panhellenic Drive, University of Florida he University of Florida began admitting full-time female The size of the UF chapter ballooned from an original students in the fall of 1947, and by 1949 there were 10-25 members to about 250-275 women, and by 2014 it eleven sororities on campus. The University of Florida was obvious that an entirely new chapter house would be platted lands for Sorority Row and in early 1955 the Beta needed. In October 2015, the original Sigma Kappa house Tau Chapter of Sigma Kappa moved into a Monterey- was demolished and rebuilding began. style home. The new Kappa Sigma house for the Beta Tau chapter is a $7 million Greek-revival style red brick house with cast stone accents. The chapter house compliments the traditional UF collegiate gothic style while giving a nod to

City Beautification Board 2017 Awards | 9 the iconic southern plantation-style Greek mansions. The courtyard is capable of holding large parties, yoga classes, house, which is surrounded by busy streets on three sides, sunbathers, and relaxing evenings on rocking chairs with allows members and guests to arrive on each side. The friends. Although parking facilities for bikes, scooters and a south-facing main entry welcomes members and guests few cars, surrounds the courtyard it is carefully landscaped with a two-story porch with a Juliette balcony and a pair of to minimize the visual impact of these necessities. classic porch swings. Additionally, several of the main rooms of the house look The stately building is balanced with femininity through onto this attractive space. curvy designs in both the hardscape and the landscape. The project was designed by Hug and Associates Architects Swooping brick sidewalks lead up the paver path to the of Alpharetta, GA; eda engineers-surveyors-planners; front door. Carefully considered plants that are always in Buford Davis and Associates Landscape Architects; and bloom tantalize the eye and offer the nose sweet smells Sarah Cain Interiors, all of Gainesville, contributed. D.E. from plants like the citrusy Tea Olive. Scorpio Corporation was the General Contractor and Creating inviting, functional outdoor space was a top oversaw many local contractors in the construction of the priority for the new Kappa Sigma house. The north new chapter house.

The Healing Garden at the Gainesville VA Honor Center | 1604 SE 3rd Avenue The VA HONOR Center (providing Hope, Opportunities, with a plan drawn up by Leah Diehl, a master gardener Networking, Outreach and Recovery) is a state-of-the-art and landscape architect. Members of the Master Gardener residential facility providing comprehensive programs for class of 2010 planned, obtained donations of materials, and veterans who are homeless, disabled, or need a place to built the curving paved walkways that make the garden recuperate from a health care crisis or serious illness. Up accessible to the veterans. to 45 veterans live at the center for 3-6 months. Among the Over the ensuing years, the garden has grown and many recreational opportunities offered at the Center is the prospered with countless gifts of plants, soil, tools and Healing Garden, a therapeutic outdoor space that includes building materials donated by several Gainesville garden an outdoor dining/recreation area, raised beds for organic clubs, Home Depot, Soil Enrichment Products, and other vegetable gardening, and a sanctuary garden. partners. Vegetables grown in eight raised beds are used The garden is a brilliant example of the art of networking. in a “Kitchen Smarts” program and are included in many Envisioned by Alee Karpf, a VA recreational and of the cafeteria’s meals. A vine-covered trellis separates horticultural therapist who moved from south Florida the garden from the employee parking area and provides to Gainesville, the garden was laid out on a portion of a a sense of tranquility. The lushly landscaped sanctuary paved parking lot behind the residential building. The garden includes a gazebo and a fountain. center includes an outdoor dining and recreational therapy Residents are encouraged to participate in every phase area with raised beds for organic gardening, and a lushly of gardening, from determining when and what to plant, landscaped sanctuary garden that includes a gazebo and how to assess plant health, and the importance of weeding, fountain. The residents use the garden for horticulture pruning and maintaining a garden. Veterans grow plants to therapy, and life skills training. brighten up their rooms, sell produce, donate to food bank The center includes an outdoor dining and recreational programs, or give away as gifts. therapy area with raised beds for organic gardening, and a In 2012 the garden was awarded the “Therapeutic Garden lushly landscaped sanctuary garden that includes a gazebo Design Award” presented by the American Horticultural and fountain. The residents use the garden for horticulture Therapy Association. therapy and life skills training. Curved paved walkways make the garden handicap accessible to the veterans. Beginning, in 2009, with beds and materials provided by FOG (Florida Organic Growers), the garden took form

10 | City Beautification Board 2017 Awards UF Health Shands Emergency Center – Kanapaha | 7405 SW Archer Road, Gainesville UF Health Emergency Center – Kanapaha is the second allowing for exam rooms and patient/family spaces to freestanding emergency center to be opened by UF Health have considerable access to natural light and views to within the past four years. The 10,881-square-foot, single- the outside. story building features 10 exam rooms, three fast-track A ribbon clerestory window high above has also been stations, one trauma room, diagnostic imaging, and lab provided to allow light to penetrate down into the building services to treat emergency and trauma patients. Located from above, offering a well-lit space for staff. The interior on Archer Road in southwest Gainesville, the building “racetrack design,” with patient care spaces wrapping the serves a densely populated area and provides easy access exterior of the building and shared support services inside for individuals living in adjacent areas. the building’s center core, allows for the easy flow of staff The building is located on a Greenfield site and takes traffic. This configuration also affords patient care spaces to advantage of the existing landscape vernacular. While benefit from landscaping views and natural lighting. the building is modern and high tech, the steel-frame The design team and clinical staff worked diligently construction allows for horizontal lines and building to create an efficient building for patient care, while extensions to emphasize the relationship with the terrain. also providing modern amenities to provide a positive The building envelope is comprised of EIFS (an Exterior experience for patients and their families. Insulation and Finish System) and curtain wall glazing,

APARTMENTS

The Retreat at Gainesville | 1111 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville The Retreat at Gainesville is a new student-oriented to the kind of durability that will ensure freedom from the apartment complex on Southwest 16th featuring individual necessity of frequent repairs. “cottage-style” units that strives to bring the comforts of To foster a sense of community, parking has been moved home to the college campus. For the Retreat Development, to striped areas along the street in front of the “houses,” a an Arts and Crafts architectural theme shapes each feature that allows for more interaction among residents as cottage from the welcoming entry porch down to interior they walk from their cars up the sidewalk to their “house.” woodworking details. It also allows the backs of “houses” to have uninterrupted The scale of each “cottage” and the resulting streetscapes access to the green space. Courtyard spaces encircle a large are reminiscent of an early twentieth-century area of green space suitable for picnics, sports, and general neighborhood street. The development features historic socializing. planning and design elements that foster a sense of A large clubhouse located at the entrance to the property community for residents. In order to pave the way for the draws residents to this hub of activity where there are development, two old and dilapidated apartment buildings a multitude of indoor and outdoor amenities geared had to be demolished, and the city of Gainesville welcomed specifically towards college students. Amenities include The Retreat for its revitalization of the area. a pool area with a tanning ledge, a water volleyball net, The exteriors of the individual “cottages” utilize Craftsman a hammock garden, private cabanas, and an outdoor materials including shake siding, board and batten and lap kitchen with grilling stations. There is even a pavilion with siding with artisanal color palettes. The choice of materials a drop-down movie screen for “dive-in” movie nights, an and color varieties create “cottages” that have their own expansive green space throughout the community, and a identity and distinguish themselves from their neighbors. sand volleyball court. At the same time, the exteriors are designed with regard

City Beautification Board 2017 Awards | 11 COMMERCIAL & RETAIL BUSINESSES

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Newberry | 6612 W Newberry Road Founded in Central Florida in 1936, ABC Fine Wine & like diamonds cover the floor. The newly improved store Spirits is the state’s oldest and largest independent retailer features an even larger abundance of wine, craft beer, of wine and spirits. Its 130 stores located throughout and spirits as well as a walk-in humidor with a variety of Florida welcome guests with a sophisticated and modern cigar selections. Guests are invited to explore and sample design aimed at enhancing guests’ shopping experience. wines from eight taps, and browse a wide variety of locally The brand’s newest Gainesville location on West Newberry sourced offerings that include Island Grove wines, Swamp Road offers a vibrant destination for residents and visitors Head Beer and First Magnitude Beer. to find the items they need, and discover new favorites, for Senior Architectural Designer Steven Rivera led a design all their celebrations. team that included architects of Design Construction The store has a rustic, earth-tone exterior that combines a International, civil engineer KPM Franklin and Jay Brown mixture of stone and stucco as well as lush landscaping. Landscape Architecture to open the new store location. The inviting exterior continues into the interior. Rich, dark wood shelves line the aisles, and warm tiles shaped

Bass Pro Shop at Celebration Pointe | 2650 Bass Pro Shops Boulevard The new Bass Pro Shop in Celebration Point is an with floor-to-ceiling panels of glass bring the outdoors in, impressive sporting goods shop that sits as the anchor with the tallest point of the building being an American store for Celebration Pointe with more than 100 acres of flag flying over the entryway. As visitors approach the front permanent conservation area along the western portion door, they see beautiful magnolia trees, palm trees, and of the property. When combined with the nearby 460- large logs of driftwood lining the walkways. Animal tracks acre Lake Kanapaha Conservation area and the 240-acre are engraved in the walkways. The number 3, in honor of Split Rock Conservation area, a total of 800 acres of scenic the late Dale Earnhardt, lies at the front doors, and stained nature preserve surrounds the store. glass light fixtures are seen. While clearing the land in preparation for the new store to In addition there is a beautifully lined pond that is in be built, the Bass Pro Shops imagery crew from Springfield, the process of being stocked, a pond that will be used Missouri explored our region’s conservation areas, for future youth events, such as a catch-and-release preserves, and springs, and tried to keep the store’s design program. Included in the store’s future plans are benches as true to the region’s natural beauty as possible. and picnic tables to encourage local residents to come Customers arriving at the new Bass Pro Shop drive down out and appreciate the surrounding conservation areas. rows of palm trees before seeing the store’s beach-style Furthermore, the property is projected to serve as the exterior. White-washed walls and a sea foam green roof Trailhead for the upcoming phase of the Archer Braid Trail.

Nimbus Building | 550 SW Second Avenue Gainesville was literally put on the map thanks to the At only 55 feet wide, the site demanded a unique railways. It was on September 6, 1853 that Gainesville was architectural solution. The result was a two-story, 15,000 established along a Florida Railroad Company rail line. In square foot office building measuring 42 feet across and 1895, the Gainesville & Gulf Railroad opened a route to 190 feet long. The steel, concrete and masonry building is Micanopy along 6th Street. clad in a mix of masonry, metal wall panels, and “smart Support facilities popped up along rail lines, including one glass.” The “smart glass” on the building’s south and west at the intersection of SW 6th Street and SW 2nd Avenue. elevations is “electrochromic”. When a current is applied More than a century later, this would become the site of a to the glass, ions move through layers of a metal oxide very unique redevelopment project - Nimbus. ceramic coating, tinting the glass. This dynamic glazing

12 | City Beautification Board 2017 Awards can be tinted on demand, or it can “learn” from its Natchez’ Crape Myrtles to be planted, allowing the trees surroundings and tint automatically in response. and utilities to coexist. Given the lot’s narrow footprint and the location of The result is a building that takes advantage of a unique underground utilities, there was no room for street trees. site and compliments the redevelopment activity along this Thanks to the collective efforts of the City’s Planning corridor and throughout Innovation Square. The Project Department, Public Works and GRU, an outside-the- Architects were Jeffrey Raasch, AIA, and CHW, Inc. Buford box solution was devised: Custom precast planters were O. Davis served as Landscape Architect. fabricated and placed on the sidewalk, enabling 65-gallon

Darden Restaurants at Butler North | Olive Garden, 2711 Clark Butler Boulevard LongHorn Steakhouse, 2933 Clark Butler Boulevard Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse are two new and blooming groundcovers accent the front entrance. The restaurants in the Butler North shopping center owned by exterior décor emulates the look of a Tuscan villa while Darden Restaurants. These buildings provide abundant utilizing vegetation that thrives in the Florida climate. landscaping that softens their architectural elements and The architect for Olive Garden was CRHO from California breaks up the vista of the large nearby asphalt parking lot. and the landscape architect was CHW of Gainesville. Their landscaping covers 360 degrees--all around their Interior design was provided by Anna Schmidt Interiors of property, and both front and back are landscaped; they Jupiter, Florida. exceeded the landscaping requirements of the City of Gainesville. LongHorn Steakhouse: The rugged design of the new LongHorn Steakhouse in Butler North celebrates the Attractive exteriors use materials and design that reflect the natural beauty of the American West and is comprised themes of the establishments. Exterior gathering areas are of natural materials like wood and stone. Groundcovers, attractive, with well-lit seating, and even a bicycle rack at grasses and shrubs crawl over smooth, brown river rock to LongHorn Steakhouse that promotes Gainesville’s bicycle- create the setting of a comfortable, western ranch house. friendly environment. The restaurant’s warm exterior colors are highlighted by Olive Garden: The new Olive Garden displays the colorful plants and trees that accentuate the building’s company’s latest restaurant design, featuring new artwork, architecture. fabrics and materials, lighting, seating, countertops and In addition to western-themed décor, the restaurant flooring, as well as a display of the new “Olive Garden features actual historical photographs of Gainesville’s Italian Kitchen” logo sign. past, emphasizing that LongHorn views itself as a positive The building’s Italian-style architecture is complemented force in the community. The restaurant features bike by lush landscaping to remind guests of Northern Italy. friendly grounds. Rich evergreen plants and a variety of flowering shrubs The architecture and interior design was provided by surround the building, punctuated by decorative rock for FRCH of Cincinnati, Ohio. The landscape architect was neutral contrast. Italian cypress trees frame the restaurant, CHW of Gainesville.

City Beautification Board 2017 Awards | 13 ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENTS

Butler North Retention Basin Beautification | 964 Plaza Boulevard Butler North is the first expansion of Butler Plaza’s 1 An innovative drainage system allows native plant life million square feet of retail directly facing Archer Road, habitat to grow on a moist basin floor, providing sanctuary extending back into a previously unused 140-plus acres and food to nearby wildlife. Cranes and other birds can of the property. This expansion allows not only over often be seen in the basins or on the banks basking in 750,000 additional square feet of dining and shopping the sun or foraging for a meal. Shoppers, visitors and establishments, but also the opportunity for appealing and nearby residents enjoy watching the wildlife outside on convenient walking and biking trails. one of the many park-style benches that line the footpaths As part of the Butler North development are three surrounding the basins. Retention Basins, designed to catch water run-off. The Joggers enjoy three miles of soft gravel trails circling three basins quickly and effectively recharge the Florida aquifer separate basins; and pet owners enjoy the convenience of with naturally filtered rainwater. The basins are not referred pet waste pick-up dispensaries stationed along the route to to as “ponds” because they are not meant to hold water continue to keep the area clean and beautiful for all. permanently.

PUBLIC SPACES

Rails-to-Trails Landscaping | NW 6th Street (University to NW 16th Avenues) and Depot Avenue (South Main to SW 11th Streets) The recent enhancements to Gainesville’s Rails-to-Trails In addition to landscaping, non-functional rails and ties network consist of beautification landscaping and other were installed to pay homage to the historical use of the aesthetic elements along two multi-use trails: one on Rails to Trails corridor as a railroad. This continues the NW 6th Street between University Avenue and NW 16th thematic element established at the rehabilitated Depot Avenue; and the other at Depot Avenue between South Station at Depot Park. Main Street and SW 11th Street. Two storm water retention ponds were also planted Hundreds of trees, shrubs, and groundcover were planted with water-tolerant species such as River Birch, Bald within the public right of way that provide an aesthetic Cypress, and Cordgrass, elevating what would have been improvement to already heavily-utilized multimodal standard storm water ponds to outstanding aesthetic and transportation facilities. These trails provide critical environmental features. connectivity via an east-west corridor between Downtown The CBB salutes the Rails-to-Trails program for making and the University of Florida, as well as a north-south Gainesville a truly beautiful and bike-friendly place to live. corridor between Downtown and several residential areas.

14 | City Beautification Board 2017 Awards GAINESVILLE HERITAGE

Babyland at Evergreen Cemetery | 401 SE 21st Avenue Founded in 1856, the 53-acre Evergreen Cemetery is prominently identify Babyland, and give each individual recognized for its evolving history and stately tributes lot a smaller monument and corner markers. A budget to lives now gone. Beneath the grandeur of spreading of $16,500 for the Initiative was outlined and a successful oaks and among the memorials in Evergreen is an area private fund-raising effort was launched among Evergreen known as Babyland. Comprising three lots, Babyland is Cemetery friends and the community; in-kind assistance the graves of 211 infants and young children who were was received from O.T. Davis Monuments and the local buried there between 1939 and 1960. Identifying markers public media. placed by the families note the location of 46 interments, This Babyland project has sparked additional interest in while 165 spaces are marked by simple cylinders of identifying the unmarked graves of the babies and young nondescript concrete. children buried elsewhere in Evergreen. When the 211 Led by President Burton “Jimi” Brown, the Evergreen spaces of Babyland were filled by 1960, a nearby area in the Cemetery Association of Gainesville, Inc., is a non-profit cemetery, known as Babyland II, was set aside in 1961. The support group to the municipally-owned Evergreen family of twins buried in Babyland II in 1970 has graciously Cemetery managed by the city’s Department of donated funds to provide granite stones for the nearly 100 Cultural Affairs. additional remaining unmarked graves in Babyland II and In 2015 the group commenced the Babyland Renewal other Evergreen locations. Initiative to replace the nameless memorials with properly- The Babyland Renewal Initiative was completed in 2016 engraved granite markers. Extensive research of cemetery and there are now plans to install a bench in memory of records resulted in determining the names and dates of the Gary Smith, the City of Gainesville’s former Evergreen children buried in each space. A kneeling angel monument Cemetery Coordinator, to overlook Babyland. was added to enhance the area. The Evergeen Cemetery Association planned to install a kneeling angel monument with appropriate wording to

Historic Depot Building Rehabilitation and Adaptive Reuse | 201 SE Depot Avenue In 2009, CRA (the Gainesville Community Redevelopment During the rehabilitation and remediation process, the Agency) began a project to rehabilitate the Historic building was moved temporarily from its original site to Depot Building on SE Depot Avenue. The objectives of allow environmental site cleanup under and around the the rehabilitation project were to preserve the rich and building. The historic structure was then returned to within unique cultural heritage of the building, to implement an 20 ft of its original location. adaptive reuse plan that fosters social interaction of visitors In the summer of 2016, the depot building was leased to to the park, and to catalyze economic development in the tenants who have since transformed the edifice into the surrounding neighborhoods. ‘Pop-A-Top General Store’—a one stop shop that provides The rehabilitation and adaptive use plan for the historic fresh-made sandwiches, salads, baked goods, refreshing station recognizes the significance of the depot building’s beverages, and frozen treats, all the essentials for park spaces, finishes and architectural features. Consisting of visitors. The western end of the building holds ‘The Boxcar’, a passenger terminal and freight area, the 10,000 square a seating area with live music and beverages. The open air foot wood frame structure was a principal stop along space in the middle of the building hosts events, including the Cross Florida railroad that once connected the cities monthly local flea markets. of Fernandina Beach and Cedar Key. The building’s As the namesake for Depot Park, the Depot Building is significance and a renovation plan that honored the both a destination itself and a welcoming gateway into the integrity of the original design earned it a listing in the beautiful new park. National Register of Historic Places.

City Beautification Board 2017 Awards | 15 OUTSTANDING INSTITUTION AWARD

Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center | 250 Gale Lemerand Drive, University of Florida A new era arrived this year for the Stephen C. O’Connell corners of the arena. The new interior concourse features Center. The 300,000-square foot building was totally renovated restrooms, concessions and merchandise areas. renovated to include the newly named Exactech Arena at In support of the University’s sustainability initiatives, the Stephen C O’Connell Center. The arena hosts sports, this project is seeking LEED v4 Gold certification, one of community and regional events. The O’Connell Center has the first multi-purpose athletic venues to do so nationally. been the home of Gator athletics, since 1981, and has held LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a diverse history of performing artists as well as national a standard for green buildings. championships. These years are showcased along walls of the interior concourse by a montage of photos. The University Athletic Association at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, along with the Planning, Design The primary goal of the renovation was to construct a and Construction Division of the University of Florida permanent bowl structure creating a new two-story front developed the project. Construction management entrance with an inviting entry plaza. Within the arena was provided by Brasfield & Gorrie, along with Davis new padded seating was added on all levels, plus two Architects. The design team also included TLC Engineers, specialty fan areas, the George Brand Center Court Club Walter P. Moore, Buford Davis Associates, Jay Brown and the Court Side Club. New sound, lighting and cable Professional Group, WJHW sound and video designers, systems were installed, along with a new center-hung court AEI, and the Bigelow Companies. scoreboard, and four vision boards in each of the upper

Joseph Hernandez Hall Chemistry/Chemical Biology Building | Corner of West University Avenue and Buckman Drive, University of Florida Joseph Hernandez Hall (the new UF Chemistry/Chemical (featuring a custom light fixture symbolic of Chemistry) Biology Building) provides approximately 110,000 delineates the “front door.” It acts as a transitional element GSF (gross sq. ft.) for modern undergraduate teaching in scale between the academic buildings to the east and laboratories, auditorium, teaching support, graduate the student housing units on the west, across Buckman research laboratories, learning centers and offices. The Drive. The portico leads to a two-story atrium that building provides a centralized home for lower-level encloses stacked, glass-enclosed teaching laboratories undergraduate chemistry instruction. It also provides within a procession of tall windows set in brick arches state-of-the-art research facilities for faculty and graduate along Buckman. students working in the areas of chemical biology and This project was managed from initial conception to final chemical synthesis. This building is the Chemistry completion by the Planning, Design and Construction Department’s “front door”, through which the Department Division at the University of Florida in close coordination is seen by students, the University, and the community. with the department chair, faculty, and staff members of The building is LEED Gold certified and has been designed the Department of Chemistry of the College of Liberal Arts to harmonize with its Historic District neighbors, while and Sciences (CLAS). Stantec Architecture (Pittsburgh, expressing dual functions as the primary facility of the PA) provided the building design for architecture Chemistry Department and a gateway structure to the and landscaping. TLC Engineering for Architecture University campus. The basic concept is the enclosure of (Jacksonville) was the engineer of records for the four floors of modern teaching and research laboratories mechanical, controls, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, within a historically-sensitive Collegiate Gothic envelope. structural, technology, and security systems. George F. The north façade of the building respects the established Young, Inc. (Gainesville) was the Civil Engineer. Moses & setback from University Avenue of the buildings to the east, Associates (Gainesville) was the commissioning agent, and and fronts a small, paved pedestrian plaza that transitions Skanska Building Group was the construction manager for into a traditional academic lawn. An arched entry portico this project. Total project cost was $66.6M.

16 | City Beautification Board 2017 Awards OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

Depot Park and Share-the-Road Memorial | 200 SE Depot Avenue Located on South Main St., seven blocks south of East a stroll, bird watch, or enjoy one of the many programs University Avenue — Depot Park is more than just a offered in Depot Park, including capoeira (Brazilian park. The vision for Depot Park recognized its potential martial arts), pilates, yoga, and more. The southern half to improve environmental quality, increase access to of the 32-acre park is a conservation area with a series of recreational space, provide greater opportunities for trails running through the wetland and upland plantings. community and social interaction, encourage regional The Share the Road Memorial anchors the northeast corner economic development, and to become a premier landmark of the new Depot Park facing SE Depot Avenue. It serves destination in Gainesville. Depot Park was a team effort, as a reminder of the tragic fatal bike accident that took multi decade project of the City of Gainesville and state two Gainesville cyclist’s lives in 1996, and also as a call to and federal agencies. This once decrepit brownfield site is action to increase education about bike safety in Florida. now the jewel of all our city parks. Designed by artist, Eric Amundson, 6 rammed-earth Depot Park derives its name from one of its former lives, structures contain parts of the smashed and ruined bicycles when it served as the original Gainesville train depot from retrieved from the crash scene. The sculpture structures are 1860 to 1948. Some subtle nods to Gainesville’s history arranged to represent a bicycle pace line. and character are peppered into its landscape, which can make for a fun and educational experience for visitors of Through tragedy, the Gainesville community united to all ages. A custom-made replica of the Kelly Power Plant’s lead a campaign to raise money to promote education smoke stack that stood for decades across the street is now about bicycle safety throughout the state of Florida and a climbable feature within the children’s 1.3 acre play a monument was designed. Originally the monument area. Play sculptures are shaped like trains, native trees, was erected along the rails-to-trails line. However, after Native American mud hut dwellings, and cement storm a recent two-year $16,000 fund-raising effort by Bike culverts. Real fossils are embedded in the Florida caverns- Florida, the sculptures were refurbished, moved to Depot inspired splash pad, and fossil replicas can be found in the Park, formally dedicated and renamed the Share the Road children’s sand pit. Memorial. Interpretive 3-panel signage was added. One panel tells the story of the tragic crash; another panel The park’s ponds and flow-through marsh system were explains the sculptures; and the third panel is a “call to created to treat storm water runoff from the downtown action” asking all road users — motorists, cyclists, and area before it flows downstream towards Paynes Prairie. pedestrians alike — to take the Share the Road Pledge to Wrapping around the north side of the main pond is a use public roadways safely and responsibly. 20’ wide waters-edge promenade — a great place to take

City Beautification Board 2017 Awards | 17 2017 City Beautification Board Award Winners

Gainesville Camellia Society Comfort Temp Company Felipe’s Taqueria Matheson History Museum Library & Archives

Holy Faith Parish Life Center SIGMA KAPPA Sorority House Beta Tau Chapter The Healing Garden at the Gainesville VA Honor Center UF Health Shands Emergency Center – Kanapaha

The Retreat at Gainesville ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Newberry Bass Pro Shop at Celebration Pointe

Nimbus Building Olive Garden LongHorn Steakhouse Butler North Retention Basin

Rails-to-Trails Landscaping Babyland at Evergreen Cemetery Historic Depot Building Share-the-Road Memorial