Has there ever been any discussion at the city level about utilizing this space? It's such a waste right now, could be something amazing.

Yes, the City has been actively exploring this option for some time. The C. R. Layton United States Army Reserve Center is located at 1125 NE 8th Avenue and includes approximately 6.8 acres of land improved with four structures: an administrative building, two petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) storage buildings and a closed wash pad. Military equipment parking (MEP) area and a privately owned vehicle (POV) parking area are also located on the property.

The property was transferred to the Department of the Army in 1950 from the City of Gainesville and developed in 1951 to be utilized as a United States Army Reserve Center. The deed transferring the property to the federal government included a reverter clause indicating that the property would revert back to the City of Gainesville if no longer needed by the federal government. The City has been notified by the Army Corps of Engineers that the property is no longer needed and the City has been provided with a draft reverter agreement and a copy of an environmental report prepared for the property.

On June 21st, City staff requested and received approval from the City Commission to move forward with a limited Phase II Environmental Assessment of the property. The Assessment can be performed for $6,860; funds are available in the FY12 operating budget. Once the City acquires the property, there will be recurring maintenance costs. A future use for the property will need to be identified which may have capital and recurring operating and maintenance costs. Commissioner Randy Wells has been engaged on this issue with local residents who have been interested in seeing the City acquire the property.

Wow, thanks for that very thorough answer. I live in the neighborhood and would love to have some input on the future of the site. Will there be any public meetings concerning this site any time soon?

There are normally advertised neighborhood meetings for this type of project, but I believe the City has to acquire the property first which may take some time working with the Army Reserve folks, so nothing has been scheduled yet as far as I am aware.

The City will be hosting a Visioning Session & Tour on the Reuse of the U.S. Army Reserve Center, as the ownership of the Center is expected to revert back to the city in the near future. The facilitated visioning session will be held at the GFR Training Room and will identify opportunities, concerns and visions for the reuse of the C.R. Layton U.S. Army Reserve Center. Residents interested in visiting the property before the visioning session will be able to tour the facility on Oct.16 (no children please). Please contact Asst. City Manager Paul Folkers at folkerspe@cityofgainesville.org or 334-5010 with questions.

Tour Date: Tues., Oct. 16
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Army Reserve Center, 1125 NE 8th Ave.

Visioning Session Date: Tues., Oct. 23
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: GFR Training Room, 1026 NE 14th St.

A flyer on the event can be viewed at http://www.cityofgainesville.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Ce5TW4Gge2E%3d&tabid=82&mid=403

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