GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Road repair and renovations to SW First Avenue between South Main Street and SW Second Street–known as The Streatery–are underway. Construction is expected to continue through October. The project will transform this designated downtown corridor into a curbless, pedestrian-only street for hosting art and music festivals, farmers markets and other events.

“I’m thrilled that we can get started this week. This will make Downtown more accessible, more usable and more fun for all of us,” said Gainesville Mayor Harvey L. Ward. “The Streatery will be a boost to Gainesville’s overall economic development.”

When complete, the thoroughfare will include outdoor lighting, seating, landscaping, electrical outlets for food trucks and other amenities.

“I am excited about The Streatery construction getting started. It’s gonna be awesome,” said Danny Hughes, owner of Loosey’s Downtown Gainesville. “We want customers to know we’re open and we’ll do our best to make sure everyone knows the best way to get to us while the construction is happening.”

Crews will begin fencing off areas as they prepare to replace underground electrical, water and stormwater infrastructure in two phases beneath The Streatery and two intersecting streets.

During phase one, when SW Second Street will be closed, SW First Street will remain open and serve as a construction detour for traffic exiting Lot 13. During phase two, which is expected to begin in July, SW Second Street will reopen. Southwest First Street will close and Lot 13 traffic will be routed west.

“Along The Streatery, we’ll replace all the curbs and uneven roadway surfaces with brick pavers to create a wide, ADA-accessible space,” said interim Chief Operating Officer Brian Singleton. “To improve pedestrian safety, we’ll also add raised intersections at SW First and Second Streets, incorporating some historic bricks from the project.”

With the phased approach, the Spring Market Series–on hiatus the weekend of April 17–resumes along SW First Avenue for its final two weekends, April 24-26 and May 1-3, 2026. The Streatery is surrounded by more than 2,000 parking spaces in Downtown Gainesville and parking downtown is free on the weekends and city-observed holidays (except in the Southwest Parking Garage at 105 SW Third Street and in designated spaces).

In March 2026, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously approved a $4.5 million construction agreement with D.E. Scorpio Corporation for The Streatery, funded by the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA) and the gas tax fund.

The GCRA is a 10-year program (2019-2029) administered by the City of Gainesville and funded by the city and Alachua County with the goal of enhancing economic development through long-term and place-based projects and programs.

Construction of The Streatery supports the city’s vision for a vibrant, welcoming and thriving downtown as outlined in the Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan.