Commission approves local historic designation for Florida Theater to aid restoration

The Gainesville City Commission voted unanimously on first reading to add the Florida Theater, 233 West University Avenue, to the city's local register of historic places, approving ordinance 2024-879 and placing a historic preservation conservation overlay on the property.

The designation was presented to the commission by Kathleen Kaufman, the city's historic preservation officer, who described the theater's origins in 1928, its later life as the Great Southern Music Hall, and decades of alteration and deterioration. Kaufman told commissioners the local designation would preserve surviving historic fabric and enable access to preservation grants and incentives.

The vote follows a short presentation, questions from commissioners and public comment from neighborhood and preservation stakeholders. Julie Carmine, speaking for owner Bill Bryson, said the full renovation to return the building to an operational live-music venue would likely require about "$3 to $5,000,000." Carmine said the local designation is required for certain matching and tiered grant programs and noted an available $150,000 matching grant through the GCRA that would be easier to access with the local listing; she also said a National Register application has been submitted to strengthen federal grant applications.

Why it matters: The overlay gives the owner access to a capital stack that includes local matching grants, federal preservation funds and private donations or discounted construction services while establishing a review process for exterior alterations to ensure historic accuracy. Commissioners and preservation supporters said the designation is intended to spur broader downtown revitalization around a restored cultural venue.

During the presentation Kaufman emphasized the building's historical and architectural features and a local preservation board endorsement. She described the theater as a "grand old dame" with neoclassical and Adamesque detailing that remains largely intact above the altered ground floor, and reviewed the building's uses over time, including its popularity in the 1970s and 1980s as a concert venue and later deterioration.

Commissioners asked how designation would affect zoning, demolition and building code requirements. Kaufman and staff clarified that the designation does not change the zoning or permitted uses; rather, exterior alterations and demolition requests for a locally designated property must come before the Historic Preservation Board for review under the city's historic preservation ordinance. Kaufman also said designation can provide some flexibility on building-code requirements for historic structures and that designation is commonly used to unlock grant eligibility.

Public comment included preservation board members and long-time downtown neighbors who supported the designation. Bill Warner said he was "highly supportive of this designation." Michelle Hazen (Historic Preservation Board) called the project "exciting" and said the theater had been an important mid-size venue for the community. Trey Asner (Historic Preservation Board) urged preserving "the past for the future." Donnie Favers (Pleasant Street Historic District resident) said he considered the theater a neighborhood landmark.

The motion to adopt ordinance 2024-879 on first reading was moved by Commissioner Michelle Nuffin Walker and seconded (second not specified in the record). The commission conducted a roll-call vote and commissioners present voted aye: Willits, Engel, Chestnut, Duncan Walker, Book and Mayor Pro Tem Eastman. Mayor Harvey Ward was absent. The mayor pro tem announced the motion passed unanimously.

What happens next: The local designation requires a second reading before final adoption; it also enables the owner and community partners to apply for matching grants, federal preservation funds and pursue private fundraising. Owner representatives said substantial fundraising and discounted professional services will be required to complete an estimated $3'$5 million renovation to restore the marquee, repair structural and exterior fabric, and refit the interior for live performance.

Proponents said they expect the designation to act as a catalyst for additional downtown investment; staff and commissioners said any future exterior changes will be reviewed under the city's preservation criteria and that demolition would require a separate review process.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2024-879, an ordinance of the City of Gainesville approving nomination to the local register of historic places and imposing a historic preservation conservation overlay on the property commonly called the Florida Theater at 233 W. University Ave. Motion: adopt ordinance on first reading. Mover: Commissioner Michelle Nuffin Walker. Second: not specified. Roll-call: Willits ' Aye; Engel ' Aye; Chestnut ' Aye; Duncan Walker ' Aye; Book ' Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Eastman ' Aye; Mayor Harvey Ward ' Absent. Outcome: approved (unanimous of members present).