Gainesville is for People and Gainesville Citizens for Active Transportation (GCAT) will jointly host a Gainesville City Commission candidate forum on Wednesday.
The forum is slated to start at 6:30 p.m. at the LifeSouth Community Blood Center (1221 NW 13th St.) and is open to the public.
The forum will focus on various transportation issues that impact transit, bicycling, pedestrian and disability access, along with housing issues such as high home prices and rent, displaced residents and the development of housing near educational and job opportunities.
The two contested City Commission seats are District 1 and At-Large A District. Both will be on the primary election Aug. 20 ballots.
Following the forum GCAT and Gainesville is for People will consider which candidates to endorse.
According to the press release, GCAT “is a nonprofit social welfare organization formed to advocate for complete streets practices that promote cycling, walking, disability access, and transit through education and advocacy for a safe and convenient network of multi-use trails and streets. Active travel strengthens connections in neighborhoods, and enhances our community’s quality of life, health, environment, and economy. GCAT envisions a community in which active transportation is a viable and attractive option for all.”
The Gainesville is for People group consists of volunteer housing advocates in Gainesville who, according to the release, are “fighting to end the housing shortage in our community. The group focuses on issues of tenant displacement, segregation, high rents and home prices, and long commutes that result from a lack of housing close to jobs, schools, and other community resources. Gainesville is for People is a chapter of YIMBY Action, a national network of people who advocate for abundant, affordable housing and inclusive, sustainable communities across the United States.”