Youth share vision of city's future

ALACHUA –A group of high school students was asked to present their vision for what the City of Alachua will look like in 100 years.

The workforce will triple, the government will be more automated and Alachua will have a higher quality of life for its citizens, the students said.

The City of Alachua Youth Advisory Council participated in the Florida League of Cities Municipal Youth Council Video Competition and took third place.

The competition was inspired by last year’s Viva Florida campaign, which aimed to educate people about the rich history of Florida’s cities, said Sharon Berrian, associate director for membership in the area for the Florida League of Cities.

The Alachua Youth Advisory Council presented their award-winning four-minute video discussing the future of Alachua at the Alachua City Commission meeting on Monday, Feb. 24. They were then given a trophy and a check for $250 from the Florida League of Cities.

“We will see major increases in the arts and culture realm,” a student said in the video.

In addition to looking forward toward the city’s future, the youngsters also recounted the past. They talked about important events and monuments in Alachua’s history, including the incorporation of the city in 1905 with a population of just over 500.

The video pointed to the Sid Martin Biotech Incubator and Alachua’s sports programs as major drivers of growth, with agriculture still being a central force of the economy. It predicted the proliferation of more museums and public facilities.

Berrian congratulated the students on winning third place.

“It is a wonderful accomplishment for your youth council,” she said.

The Alachua Youth Advisory Council will go to the annual League of Cities convention in Agust where their project will be highlighted again.

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