Gainesville Commissioners gave
Gainesville Regional Airport the ability to add solar panels, gas
stations and other additions, and approved a plan for a $665,000
bike path at a meeting Thursday.
Now, private companies can rent airport space to do business, which
will help fund the airport. Some options include pet boarding,
office space and post offices.
Commissioner Lauren Poe said he thinks this will open the door to
economic opportunity for the airport.
“I think it’s excellent how this worked out,” he said.
Clay Sweger, a consultant for the airport, said the airport is
mainly looking to attract businesses. It doesn’t have plans to
expand as well.
The bike path the Commission approved will be made in the bed of an
old railroad along Northwest Sixth Street.
It will stretch from Southwest Second Avenue to Northwest 10th
Avenue, and it will fill the gap between two bike paths north and
south of the planned path.
It will be funded through a Florida Department of Transportation
grant. Construction should begin over the summer.
