Portable shower-restroom trailer combination rentals in Alachua, Florida.

A $700,000 grant targeted worn Alachua neighborhood streets

Alachua’s annual report described a neighborhood street-repair package backed by a $700,000 Community Development Block Grant. The listed work covered parts of NW 125th Street, NW 148th Avenue, NW 147th Lane and several nearby numbered streets, addressing a cluster of worn local roads rather than one isolated segment.

The city said it was holding back some of its regular roadway funds to supplement the grant. Its forecast placed completion in fiscal year 2023–24. The annual report documents the planned package and funding approach; it does not establish whether every listed street was later resurfaced.

Structural damage leads to Hathcock Center demolition and replacement plans

On March 9, 2026, Alachua commissioners voted 4–1 to authorize demolition of the Cleather H. Hathcock Sr. Community Center at 15818 NW 140th Street. Two professional evaluations found moisture damage beneath the building, deteriorated floor framing, roof-fastener corrosion, and code and accessibility problems. Inspectors also found the restrooms and kitchen did not meet current ADA standards.

The city’s assessment put rehabilitation at roughly $275,000 to $550,000; relocating the structure could add another $180,000 to $350,000, while a new building of similar size was estimated at about $625,000. Replacement construction still depends on funding in the city’s 2026–27 budget. Mainstreet Daily News reported in August that the old center had been demolished in May.

A burglary at One 51 Place causes major flooding

Alachua police said a 17-year-old who did not live at One 51 Place entered its clubhouse and gym through a rear emergency exit shortly after 5 a.m. on May 26, 2026. Police said he pulled a bathroom vanity from the wall, flooding the gym, clubhouse area and basketball court. The department estimated damage at about $60,000.

In a June 20 release, police said an anonymous community tip helped investigators identify the teenager. They obtained an arrest warrant and took him into custody. The listed charges included burglary of a structure causing more than $1,000 in damage and criminal mischief.

Flooding damages Santa Fe High School's softball facilities

Mainstreet Daily News reported on September 18, 2026, that flooding had damaged Santa Fe High School’s softball complex after construction began at Westside Commons across U.S. 441. Players said rainwater filled the field, ruined bathroom and locker-room floors and lockers, washed out the concession stand and visiting bullpen, and left mud in the dugouts and batting cages.

The school district confirmed that runoff from the Westside Commons construction site caused the flooding. Staff cleaned and dried the facilities, removed sediment and began mold testing while working with the Suwannee River Water Management District and FDOT on a lasting fix. FDOT said sandbags could not remain along the field fence.

Turkey Creek gas leak prompts evacuations and utility repairs

A gas leak inside Turkey Creek Golf and Country Club brought emergency responders to the Alachua community on March 27, 2024. Police and Alachua County Fire Rescue evacuated several nearby residences around Turkey Creek Boulevard and NW 109th Place.

Officials said lightning might have caused the leak, but the first report did not establish a confirmed cause or say how many homes were affected. Residents were moved while responders assessed the area and utility crews began working on the damaged line.

By 3 p.m., Gainesville Regional Utilities crews were still repairing the leak. Police and fire-rescue units had left, and traffic and normal activity could resume while GRU worked to restore service. The community association said it had not been told how many customers had lost service.

Firefighters contain a November 2024 Alachua house fire

Alachua County Fire Rescue responded to a single-story house fire in Alachua at about 2 p.m. on November 25, 2024. The initial information said two people might be inside. Firefighters found smoke coming from the eaves and flames near the kitchen, then searched the home.

No one was found inside; the residents were located outside near the street. The department credited the quick response with containing the fire before it caused substantial damage. The cause remained under investigation in the account published the next day. Fire Rescue also reminded households to make an evacuation plan with a family meeting point.

Tara Forest West receives preliminary plat approval

The Alachua City Commission gave preliminary plat approval to Tara Forest West on July 23, 2024, in a 3–1 vote. The proposal covered 198 acres north of U.S. 441 and called for 523 single-family homes in six phases, with common areas, roads and stormwater ponds.

The proposed lots ranged from 7,294 to 19,841 square feet, with most around 7,500 square feet. The review drew objections from nearby Dogwood Acres residents, who raised concerns about traffic, rural character and environmental effects.

The approved plan called for a fence along the Dogwood Acres border and larger lots next to the existing subdivision. The vote was preliminary plat approval for the proposed layout, not a report that homes had been built.

Winn-Dixie opens a renovated Alachua grocery store

Winn-Dixie opened its Alachua store on October 3, 2026, at 15560 NW U.S. Highway 441, Suite 200. The full-service grocery occupied a renovated space, with stocked shelves, new exterior styling and updated interior signs. The High Springs store, meanwhile, was preparing to close before becoming an Aldi after its own renovation.

At the 7:30 a.m. ribbon cutting, Winn-Dixie presented $500 checks to community partners, including Santa Fe High School. The opening-day program also included giveaways, children’s activities and product sampling. Inside, shoppers found fresh-produce, butcher, seafood, deli and bakery departments alongside self-checkout and a customer-service desk.