GAINSVILLE, FL - The City of Gainesville has been presenting beautification awards since before 1993 to recognize the city’s buildings, landscapes, and public places which best showcase innovative redevelopment for the betterment of the community. The 2016 awards took place on the evening of April 27th, where they featured representatives from the community who gave awards and speeches for winners in categories such as Outstanding Group Award, Restoration and Adaptive Reuse, Institutional Facilities, Retail Businesses, Public Spaces, Development of Apartments in Gainesville, Commercial, Uniquely Gainesville, Outstanding Institution Award, and Outstanding Environmental Award. In addition to honoring these special projects, the Outstanding Individual Award, presented to Gainesville natives whose work benefits our community, was presented to John Fleming of Trimark Properties, an industry leader for the renovation and building of state-of-the-art and luxury Gainesville apartments, and Dr. Theresa Beachy of Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network, who contributed to making the community a better place.
This year, twenty-six awards were presented, with a clear indication that Gainesville is committed to the progress of the city. “The awards highlight projects of outstanding aesthetic and artistic appeal. Projects are evaluated for originality, innovation and creativity, as well as for their sustainability, maintenance and use of serviceable materials. An award-winning site must exhibit appropriate land utilization, effective planning, compatibility with the area and screening of unsightly views. All projects must meet applicable building and landscaping codes. Each must result in the improvement of the area, property, or neighborhood.”
Trimark Properties has continued along the path of victories for the past few years. This year taking the new Gainesville apartments category with two wins, for Tuscana Luxury Apartments and Solaria Luxury Apartments, known as some of the most luxurious apartments near Sorority Row UF, along with the achievement of the Outstanding Individual Award. This is the 32nd win for Trimark Properties. Most of the awards that they have won have in the last decade have been awarded within the Gainesville apartments category, mostly for their new construction. Trimark Properties has also won several awards in the last few years for their conversion of historic houses into apartments.
While identifying the contributions of the Gainesville community was seen as the theme of the evening, the larger trends will forecast the future landscape of the Gainesville area. It’s important to observe these future trends and recognize the community efforts in continuing to make Gainesville an innovative, progressive, and cohesive community. Wishing a congratulations to all the winners below.
City Beautification Board 2016 Awards:
Outstanding Individual Award:
• John Fleming, Trimark Properties
• Dr. Theresa Beachy, Peaceful Paths
Outstanding Group Award:
• Gainesville Women’s Club | 2809 W. University Ave Gainesville, FL
Restoration and Adaptive Reuse:
• Social Security Building | 4562 NW 13th St Gainesville, FL
• Gainesville Plaza | 2649 NW 13th St Gainesville, FL
• U14 | 1401 University AveGainesville, FL
Institutional Facilities:
• UF Infinity Hall | 978 SW 2nd Ave Gainesville, FL
• Reitz Union Expansion and Renovation | 686 Museum Rd Gainesville, FL
• UF Health Haile Family Medical Center | 2846 SW 87th Way Gainesville, FL
• Northwood Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses | 3780 NW 16th Blvd Gainesville, FL
Newly Developed Gainesville Apartments:
• Centro Apartments| 1433 NW 3rd Ave Gainesville, FL
• Social 28 | 311 SW 13th St Gainesville, FL
• Solaria Luxury Apartments – Phase II | 1023 SW 6th Avenue Gainesville, FL
• Tuscana Luxury Apartments | 811 SW 8th Street Gainesville, FL
Commercial & Retail Businesses:
• Outback Steakhouse | 3760 SW Archer Road Gainesville, FL
• Sonny’s BBQ |3635 Archer Road Gainesville, FL
• Swamp Head Brewery | 3650 SW 42nd Avenue Gainesville, FL
Environmental Enhancements
• Yelvington Wetlands Restoration Project
• Cofrin Nature Park Renovation and Survivors of Suicide Loss Memory Garden
• Butterfly Hill at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Public Spaces:
• Bo Diddley Plaza Revitalization
• Entrance at Cynthia Moor Chestnut Park and Clark Butler Nature Preserve
• SW 5th Avenue Porters Community Project
Uniquely Gainesville
• One Love Café | 4989 NW 40th Place Gainesville, FL
Outstanding Institution Award
• George T. Harrell M.D. Medical Education Building | 1104 Newell Drive Gainesville, FL
Outstanding Environmental Award
• Sweetwater Wetlands Park |325 SW Williston Road Gainesville, FL