ALACHUA ‒ Crews used a towering crane last week to hoist massive steel beams into place at Theatre Park, marking one of the most significant steps yet in the park’s ongoing transformation. The large steel structure, which now spans the entire width of the park, has been welded into position and will serve as the framework for the new stage area.

The installation signals that the long-awaited renovation of the downtown landmark is entering a visible new phase. For residents and visitors walking along Main Street, the structure is a striking sign of progress toward revitalizing one of Alachua’s most photographed gathering spaces.

Theatre Park, located at 14900 Main Street, has a storied history. Once the site of a drycleaner and later a movie house, the property was converted into an open-air park decades ago. Its historic brick walls and archways have long made it a popular backdrop for community events and casual photos.

But years of overgrowth, a failing arbor, and flooding concerns left the park in poor condition. In 2011, structural instability prompted the City of Alachua to close the park for several months while contractors reinforced the east wall, constructed new columns, and removed the upper portions of the front and side walls to reduce wind load. The emergency work, which cost more than $40,000, was paid for by the Downtown Redevelopment Trust Board, the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) at the time.

In May 2024, the Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board reviewed design proposals from Monarch Design Group. Concepts included new entryway façades, interior seating, brick pavers, lighting, and a stage. The board ultimately favored a black wrought-iron aesthetic, clay-fired brick accents, Florida-friendly landscaping, and a modest stage with handicap access.

By March 2025, momentum grew when the City secured a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant — one of just 25 awarded nationwide. CRA Coordinator Susan King had been applying for the grant for three years. The award provided a critical boost to the project, supplementing the CRA’s limited budget of $150,000.

Interim City Manager and Professional Engineer Rodolfo Valladares has emphasized from the outset that the project would have to address deep structural challenges first. Water intrusion, vine overgrowth, and failing infrastructure required “ground up” solutions, making a multiphase renovation unavoidable.

With the steel stage structure now in place, those solutions are taking tangible shape. The framework not only provides the backbone for live performances but also ensures the park can be used more safely and consistently for community events.

Future phases are expected to add lighting, seating, landscaping, and other amenities to make the park a more welcoming space for lunch breaks, study sessions, and cultural gatherings.

What once seemed a distant vision is steadily becoming reality. And for longtime Alachua residents, seeing the steel beams rise above the historic brick walls is proof that Theatre Park’s best days may still lie ahead. The addition of the stage will serve as a convenient and quaint location for a variety of events, including live bands.

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