Help shape the future of Southwest Gainesville

Help shape the future of Southwest Gainesville

Published on September 03, 2026

The City of Gainesville is inviting neighbors to help shape the long-term future of a portion of the city informally known as the "Southwest Study Area." Largely developed between the 1970s and early 2000s, the area is near the University of Florida and Butler Plaza, mainly consists of multifamily housing, and covers approximately 913 acres. Although it represents only about 2% of Gainesville's land area it is home to nearly 12% of the city's population.

What: Southwest Gainesville Study Area Community Meeting

When: 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16

Where: UF/IFAS Beef Teaching Unit South, 3721 SW 23rd Street

Generally bordered by Archer Road to the north, Southwest 34th Street to the west, Williston Road to the south and Southwest 23rd Terrace to the east, the Southwest Study Area has not had a comprehensive land use or zoning review since it was annexed into the city in 2003. A special meeting of the Gainesville City Commission on May 8, 2025 resulted in commissioners unanimously approving a motion to analyze the area with the goal of enhancing economic development opportunities.

The newly launched study will examine existing conditions and longer-term needs, including housing and affordability, transportation and transit, sidewalks and bicycle connections, infrastructure, parks and open space, neighborhood-serving businesses and opportunities for reinvestment. The work also considers whether future land use or zoning changes could support additional housing and more walkable, mixed-use development. An online survey for neighbors to share opinions has already launched.

"This is an important opportunity for people in southwest Gainesville to tell us what they value and what needs improvement," said Gainesville City Commissioner Casey Willits, in whose district the area is located. "We want to hear about the quality of housing, whether people bike or walk, how they use parks and green space, if they rely on RTS bus service-essentially what changes they envision and where we should focus our attention."

The first Southwest Study Area community meeting is scheduled Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Beef Teaching Unit South, 3721 SW 23rd Street. The agenda includes a brief presentation about the study followed by opportunities for questions and community input. The idea is to identify strengths, challenges and priorities by hearing from the neighbors, property owners, operators of businesses and others who are invested in the future of the area.

"Good planning starts with understanding how a place functions today and thinking carefully about how it may need to function 10 or 20 years from now," said Interim City Manager Andrew Persons. "This is an established part of Gainesville with infrastructure, transit and proximity to major employment and activity centers. The study gives us an opportunity to look at how reinvestment can make better use of those assets while improving connections, housing choices and the overall neighborhood environment."

Residents can learn more about the study and complete the survey by visiting the Southwest Study Area project webpage. The city is partnering with eda consultants, inc., to conduct the analysis, and study information will remain available online throughout the planning process with new dates and developments added as the project moves forward.

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