Ward lists Gainesville’s top 10 achievements of 2024

Dec 31, 2024 10:24 am
Mayor Harvey Ward said the city cares about its public places and doesn't just patch up old sections.
Mayor Harvey Ward's top 10 achievements in Gainesville for 2024 included reduced gun murders and the inclusionary zoning ordinance.
Photo by Seth Johnson

As everyone ponders 2024 and speculates to 2025, Mayor Harvey Ward released his list of Gainesville’s top 10 achievements for the year.  

The following is his list along with Mainstreet stories that covered them or related issues. 

  1. Reduced gun murders by 50%, with none since May 12 
  1. Reduced pedestrian and cyclist deaths by 42% (from 7 in 2023 to 4 in 2024) 
  1. Opened UF Health Urgent Care Center/ Clinic Eastside on Hawthorne Road 
  1. Invested more than $3.2 million in affordable housing 
  1. Approved more than $75 million in private investment for downtown 
  1. Opened Downtown Ambassador Program 
  1. Opened SW 62nd Boulevard connector 
  1. Increased annual funding to GRACE Marketplace by more than 1/3 and invested more than $700,000 in new shelter space 
  1. Received a $26.4 million federal transit grant to buy more energy-efficient RTS buses 
  1. Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance and achieved community agreement on collapsing single-family zoning into one category 

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  • Seth Johnson

    Seth Johnson is a Mainstreet Daily News reporter based in Gainesville. He earned a degree in journalism and mass communication and served as editor-in-chief of his school newspaper. Seth is a bookworm and chess nerd, but he tempers these activities by playing sports and biking.

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Janice Garry

I am really proud of the work our city leaders are doing and continue to be proud and happy to call Gainesville home. I just watched the spectacular fireworks at Depot Park along with what looked like thousands of our community members. The open arms and open heart of Gainesville came shining through. Thank you!

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Dennis

The REAL accomplishments:
1. RAISED Property taxes again for the 100th consecutive year.
2. Raised FEES.
3. Tried to destroy our single family neighborhoods.
4. SPENT money that they called “investment” and in many cases WASTED our tax dollars.
5. Took credit for what UF and other organizations did.
6. Got federal tax dollars which their fellow Democrats in Washington approved without funding creating more INFLATION.

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Real Gainesville Citizen and Voter

You’re fired.

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Real Gainesville Citizen and Voter

That’s pretty darned good! Keep it up.

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Ricki Dee

City of Gainesville, FL Zero Waste Initiative?

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infinity306

yeah a big contradiction. 😉 🙁

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