This same occurrence is common to many communities across the United States. In recent years, developers have started making new investments in some of the inner-city areas closest to the University of Florida. However, the once thriving Waldo Road and other east Gainesville business and residential districts are now untapped markets in need of redevelopment. Eastside commercial activities have dwindled and properties have been passed-over by developers who chose other areas of the community for development. Although some economic development benefits have been made available to help retain and attract new businesses, these programs by themselves have not been sufficient to bring about the revitalization needed in the area.
Additional action is necessary if east Gainesville is to experience positive, sustainable growth.
From the beginning, it was determined that although the City of Gainesville would function to facilitate the project, the process and its subsequent work product would be community-led. The intent was not to develop another government study, but rather to engage the community in researching, analyzing, and identifying their own problems and solutions and developing a document whose content would be largely defined by the community. Illustration 1 provides a map that provides the boundaries of the City of Gainesville enterprise zone. Although the City administers and funds the activities of the enterprise zone, the state requires that a citizen advisory board oversee the program. To facilitate this enormous task, the State created within the enterprise zone program, several financial incentives for businesses located in the zone to encourage private investment and increase employment opportunities for area residents.