The city of Gainesville will close multiple downtown roads on Monday night for the NCAA Tournament men’s basketball championship game.
The Florida Gators will be playing the Houston Cougars for the Division I men’s basketball title with tipoff at 8:50 p.m. UF’s Stephen O’Connell Center will host a National Championship Watch Party with doors opening at 7 p.m. in Exactech Arena (250 Gale Lemerand Dr.).
Gainesville Police Chief announced the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) will place a heavy emphasis on driving under the influence (DU) detection throughout Monday night and Tuesday morning.
“The energy in Gainesville is electric, and we couldn’t be prouder of our Gators,” said Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward in a press release. “This is a time to come together as a community, cheer on our team and create lasting memories. Let’s make sure our celebrations reflect the pride and spirit of Gator Nation by keeping our city safe and enjoyable for everyone.”
Road closures start at 9 p.m. West University Avenue will be closed to traffic from NW 13th Street to Gale Lemerand Drive and will remain closed until early Tuesday morning. Other road closures around the UF campus will be in effect, as needed.
Starting at noon, parking along West University Avenue will be restricted.
The city will conduct bar and nightclub inspections throughout the evening as managers are required to have an accurate count of patrons. The maximum occupancy limits will be enforced, and all exits must be maintained and unobstructed.
The city is hosting a Championship Watch Party at Bo Diddley Plaza (weather permitting) on a big screen at 111 E. University Ave. The free event is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs.
Starting at 8 p.m., the following streets will remain closed through early Tuesday morning:
- SE First Street, from University Avenue south to SE First Avenue
- SE First Avenue, from SE First Street to SE Third Street
Starting at 7 p.m., parking on the above roads will be restricted.
GPD and Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) are emphasizing the importance of following the law and making good decisions and offer the following safety tips: \
- Drink Legally and Responsibly: Only individuals 21 and older may legally consume alcohol. Drinking can impair judgment and lead to dangerous situations. Be aware of your surroundings. Use the buddy system to stay safe, keep an eye on friends and make sure everyone gets home securely. Never drink and drive—designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service or take public transportation.
- Do Not Drive Under the Influence: Driving under the influence of alcohol or any substance that impairs judgment and reaction time is extremely dangerous, puts lives at risk and carries severe legal consequences. Always plan ahead. Use a designated driver, rideshare or public transportation. Never drive impaired. This also applies to those who have a medical marijuana license. While the card may be legal, driving under the influence remains illegal.
- Fire Safety: Please be aware of two critical safety guidelines to ensure our community’s well-being. First, the City of Gainesville prohibits outdoor and open burning. Second, pulling a fire alarm without an actual emergency is illegal and dangerous. These actions endanger lives by diverting emergency services from where they are actually needed and will result in legal consequences up to a first-degree misdemeanor for the first offense and felony charges for subsequent offenses.
- Respect Personal and Public Property: Vandalism, such as damaging streetlights, overturning vehicles or defacing buildings, is illegal and undermines the spirit of our community. Violators will be prosecuted.
Anyone who observes unsafe behavior or needs assistance is encouraged to call GPD at 352-393-7500. In case of emergency, dial 911.