Proposed extension of SW 24th Avenue through NATL


This web site is maintained by the Natural Area Advisory Committee to provide information about a proposed extension of SW 24th Avenue through NATL to Archer Road. We attempt to post all relevant documents--including those that favor the road. We ask users of our site to send us suggestions, corrections, and relevant documents that we have missed.
     

T. J. Walker, NAAC Chair, March 2004. natl@ufl.edu


How to Use this Site
The best way to get an overview of the issues and their development is to start with History, which begins with a semester-by-semester synopsis and continues with a detailed chronology of important events. After the synopsis of the events of each semester is a link to the corresponding part of the chronology. To become more familiar with the portion of NATL that may become a roadway, go to Images, where you will find photographs and maps. In Documents, you will find what has been written for and against the proposed donation of right-of-way and items that describe the context of the controversy. To learn what is scheduled for the future, click on Up-coming.

Documents menu
2004 Spring Semester documents
2003 Fall Semester documents
2003 Spring Semester and Summer Terms documents
Background documents

Spring Semester 2004 documents
Documents for the 15 Apr 2004 meeting of the Faculty Senate
Action item for 15 April meeting (introduced at 18 March meeting)
Senate votes on Thursday (12 April e-mail from NAAC)
Value of NATL to the University (13 April e-mail from NAAC)
How the roadway would impact NATL (14 April e-mail from NAAC)
NAAC handout for Faculty Senate (15 April)
NATL and SW 24th Avenue (PowerPoint presentation prepared for 15 April meeting but not used)

Focus Group documents
Final Report of Focus Group (25 Feb 04)
Material appended to Final Report
   Draft of proposed amendment to the UF Master Plan
   Minutes of 26 Sep 2003 FG meeting (development of work plan)
   Minutes of 27 Oct 2003 FG meeting (testimony from Chair of NAAC)
   Minutes of 14 Nov 2003 FG meeting (testimony from local traffic experts)
   Minutes of 15 Jan 2004 FG meeting (testimony from impacted faculty)
   Minutes of 5 Feb 2004 FG meeting (final meeting)

Fall Semester 2003 documents
Student Senate document
Resolution passed unanimously by the Student Senate at its 9 Dec 2003 meeting

Documents for the 20 Nov 2003 meeting of the Faculty Senate
Key facts relative to UF's endorsement of the donation of right-of-way
A chronology of events relevant to the proposed SW 24th Avenue extension
Original Focus Group: appointment letter and roster (26 Mar 2003)
Current Focus Group (or "Task Force"): roster, issue, and charge (27 Oct 2003)
Focus Group: President Young's remarks to the Faculty Senate (16 Oct 2003)

Four early October emails to members of the Faculty Senate
1. Senate action on proposed donation of right-of-way for SW 24th Avenue (3 Oct 2003)
2. Genesis of the four-lane extension of SW 24th Avenue (6 Oct 2003)
3. Why the Faculty Senate should act at its October meeting (7 Oct 2003)
4. How senators can facilitate action at the October Faculty Senate meeting (8 Oct 2003)

Other Fall Semester 2003 documents
How the Natural Area Advisory Committee views SW 24th Avenue (27 Oct 2003)
The best plan for Gainesville, Gainesville Sun opinion piece, by County Commissioner Mike Byerly (26 Oct 2003)
Get your thumb up, boy., Gainesville Sun political cartoon, by Jake Fuller (26 Oct 2003)
Is the Focus Group largely faculty? (27 Oct 2003)
Action item for Faculty Senate meeting (16 Oct 2003)
NATL and SW 24th Avenue, PowerPoint presentation for Focus Group, T. J. Walker (27 Oct 2003)
    [If you download this file, you can read the notes as well as view the slides.]
Partners with the community: "Speaking Out" piece in Gainesville Sun by President Young (12 Oct 2003)
This is UF Administration's first public document defending its proposed donation of right-of-way for the extension of SW 24th Avenue since 25 Mar 2003. For the other two documents that UF administrators have written to explain the proposed donation of right-of-way, see Older Documents.

Objections to procedures
During Spring Semester 2003, UF administrators thwarted all attempts to establish venues for the University community to have open, reasoned discussion of the pros and cons of the proposed right-of-way donation. Therefore, the Natural Area Advisory Committee is now concentrating on procedural issues (see below) and is especially concerned that elected officials have begun to spend road funds on the assumption that the right-of-way will be donated.

Three planning procedures evaded: Statement to Alachus County Commission. (6 Oct 2003)
Down the Road: Gaineville Sun editorial suggesting that President Young withdraw his 25 Mar 2003 commitment. (6 Oct 2003)
Traffic studies needed before land should be donated: Letter in Gainesville Sun. (5 Oct 2003)
Action item for Student and Faculty Senates (1 Oct 2003)
Letter to President Young suggesting three options for resolving the current untenable situation (25 Sep 2003)
Details of procedural flaws (24 Sep 2003)
SW 24th Avenue myths (26 Sep 2003)
Review and update of UF's commitment to donate right-of-way for a four-lane road through NATL (18 Sep 2003)
Petition requesting that the Administration begin amendment procedures (27 Aug 2003)
     by 19 Sep, the petition had been signed by 124 faculty, in 9 departments and schools, in 4 colleges
How UF caused MTPO to change its 20-year transportation plan (while ignoring UF land-use procedures) (8 Aug 2003)
President Young's Focus Group/Task Force (5 months and still no chair and no work plan) (5 Sep 2003)

Documents from Spring Semester and Summer Terms 2003
Documents supporting the donation
Documents opposing the donation
Comments on documents supporting the donation
Comments on documents opposing the donation

Documents supporting the donation
Letter from Vice-President Poppell to Thomas Walker, Chair, Natural Area Advisory Committee. (24 Mar 2003)
Letter from President Young to Rodney Long, Chair, Alachua County Commission. (25 Mar 2003)

Note: These are the only documents that the NAAC is aware of that describe benefits that may accrue to the University of Florida should the proposed donation of right-of-way occur. NAAC would welcome further information on predicted benefits and/or rebuttals of NAAC's Comments on Suggested Benefits.

Documents opposing the donation
Key documents
NATL & 24th Avenue (PowerPoint) (9 May 2003)
Pictorial guide to four key documents. (23 Apr 2003)
Information for the Transportation and Parking Committee, from the Natural Area Advisory Committee. (7 Apr 2003)
Procedures used by Alachua County and Univeristy of Florida to make important decisions. (28 Mar 2003)
County Commissioner Mike Byerly speaks out on the proposed changes to the plan for SW 24th Avenue. (22 Mar 2003)

Other documents
Memo to MTPO on the status of UF's commitment to provide ROW (4 Aug 2003)
UF changes MTPO's 20-year plan (14 May 2003)
More information for Focus Group (14 May 2003)
Information for President Young's Focus Group (2 May 2003)
Information for UF's LVL Committee (14 Apr 2003)
Water quantity and quality considerations (PowerPoint), by Mark Brown, Prof. Environmental Engineering. (25 Mar 2003)
Maps and aerial photographs showing route of extension through NATL
Representative uses of NATL's academic area, by Natural Area Advisory Committee (20 Mar 2003)
COSTS to UF of donating the right-of-way, by Natural Area Advisory Committee. (19 Mar 2003)
Fragmentation effects of SW 24th Avenue extension, by Doug Levey, Zoology Department (14 Mar 2003)
Entomology and Nematology Student Organization: unsolicited letter (8 Mar 2003)
Water quantity and quality considerations (PDF), by Mark Clark of Soil and Water Science (5 Mar 2003)
Road's impact on NATL evaluated by Botany professors Putz, Judd, and Kitajima (3 Mar 2003)
Commercial and traffic aspects of a four-lane SW 24th Avenue (3 Mar 2003)
Effect of traffic noise on bird surveys by Tom Contreras (28 Feb 2003)
Letter to President Young from Natural Area Advisory Committee (5 Feb 2003)
Aerial photograph showing wild areas currently contiguous to NATL (5 Feb 2003)

Comments on documents supporting the donation
Comments on benefits proposed by UF administrators (7 Apr 2003)

Comments on documents opposing the donation
This section begun 10 Apr 2003, when e-mail was sent to key administrators offering to post their comments.
[No comments were ever offered.]

Background documents
Letter from Department of Community Affairs specifying the relation of two tracts identified as "the Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics Expansion" (16.8 acres) and "the Butler Plaza Expansion" (125 acres). The letter states that Clark Butler currently owns the 16.8-acre tract but that he intends for the University of Florida Foundation to evenually become the sole owner. (22 July 2003) (Map showing approximate location of 16.8-acre parcel.)
Excerpts from minutes of Faculty Senate and Senate Steering Committee, Spring Semester 2003
Draft of letter to Cliff Stearns asking for $12.5 million (7 Oct 2003)
Memos from Clark Butler's meetings with Cliff Stearns and Rod Smith
     in quest of federal and state funds for SW 24th Ave. (26 Sep 2003)
Proposed amendments to Alachua Co. Master Plan: see CPA-08-03 (23 Sep 2003)
Email from Michael Fay (17 Sep 2003)
Letter to MTPO from Vice President Poppell (5 Sep 2003)
Email from Michael Fay (7 Aug 2003)
NAAC meeting minutes and annual reports
NAAC operating policies
NATL improvements funded by UF
Long-term management plan for NATL
Letter from NAAC to North Central Florida Regional Planning Council with copy to Administrative Affairs (16 Oct 2000)
NATL usage survey (March 2000)
"Campus Wilderness," seven-page article on NATL in UF Today (September 1999)
How NATL got its name
Survey of potential uses (November 1993)

Images
Go to the Advisory Committee's Image Gallery to see what the University of Florida proposes to give away. You may wish to start with a walk along the southern 10 feet of the road right-of-way.

History
Jump to Events prior to 2003.
Jump to Spring Semester 2003.
Jump of Summer Terms 2003.
Jump to Fall Semester 2003
Jump to Spring Semester 2004
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Synopsis
Prior to Spring Semester 2003
Development of the Natural Area Teaching Laboratory [NATL] begins (1994), and a two-lane eastward extension of SW 24th Avenue goes in and out of the traffic plan devised by the SW 20th Avenue Charrette (1997). The Charrette plan, as adopted by the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO), includes the two-lane extension (2000). The 2000-2010 update of UF's Comprehensive Master Plan makes no provision for any part of an extension being on University property.
Detailed chronology of early events

Spring Semester 2003
On January 31, Vice-President Ed Poppell announces to the Alachua County Commission that UF supports a four-lane SW 24th Avenue and its extension eastward to Archer Road on UF property. On February 20, he tells the MTPO that the University is committed to recommending to its Board of Trustees that right-of-way be provided for a SW 24th Avenue extension that will be a segment of a proposed east-west traffic corridor. As a consequence of UF's commitment (and against the recommendation of its staff), the MTPO amends its long range transportation plan. On March 25, by letter, President Charles Young notifies the Alachua County Commission that UF will recommend through its Master Plan amendment process that right-of-way be given for a SW 24th Avenue extension, and the County shifts from designing SW 24th Avenue as a two-lane divided roadway to designing it with four lanes.

The Natural Area Advisory Committee [NAAC] is dismayed by these unexpected commitments for a four-lane road through NATL and attempts to get the Administration to explain its actions and to establish a venue for the open discussion of the pros and cons of the proposed donation. The Administration's only written reasons for its endorsement of the extension are in two letters: one of March 24 from VP Poppell to the NAAC Chair and one of March 25 from President Young to the County Commission Chair. On March 26, President Young appoints a Focus Group to advise on the academic impact of the proposed extension and how it might be mitigated. (The Group is not asked to advise on whether the benefits of the extension are greater than its costs.)
Detailed chronology of Spring 2003 events

Summer Terms 2003
The Focus Group meets twice in May but develops no work plan and keeps no minutes. The MTPO inquires as to when UF will act on its promise to initiate the Master Plan amendment process. Detailed chronology of Summer 2003 events

Fall Semester 2003
On September 3, VP Poppell sends the MTPO a tentative schedule that has the Focus Group submitting its report in January 2004, UF's land-use committees reaching a decision by May 2004, and the final recommendation being in June 2004.

Seeing no reason for the Administration to delay the land-use committees' consideration of the merits of its proposed donation of NATL land until the following semester, the Natural Area Advisory Committee circulates a petition among the faculty of the most affected departments. On September 25, NAAC sends President Young a letter that includes petitions signed by 124 faculty in nine department and four colleges requesting that UF begin the Master Plan Amendment process without further delay. President Young does not reply, and NAAC shifts its efforts to getting the Faculty Senate to ask that UF Administration "withdraw its 20 Feb 2003 and 25 March 2003 endorsements of the donation of right-of-way for a four-lane extension of SW 24th Avenue through the Natural Area Teaching Laboratory and Preservation Area 1." The Senate discusses the request at its October meeting and votes 52 to 21 in favor of the request at its November meeting.

Meanwhile, in September, the Lakes, Vegetation and Landscaping Committee votes to "oppose the 24th Avenue extension through NATL," and the Focus Group develops a work plan. In October, the Focus Group hears from the NAAC chair, and in November, from traffic planners. Also in November, the Alachua County Commission votes to return to a two-lane design for SW 24th Avenue. On December 9, through the efforts of the Environmental Action Group, the Student Senate votes unanimously for a resolution that says (in part), "we urge UF Administration to withdraw its commitment, made to the Alachua County Commission and to the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization, to recommend an amendment to the University of Florida's Master Plan to provide right-of-way for an extension of SW 24th Avenue to Archer Road."
Detailed chronology of Fall Semester 2003 events

Spring Semester 2004
On January 15, the Focus Group concluded its fact finding by hearing, for the first time, from faculty members who would be impacted by the proposed road through NATL. [This is more than 9 months after President Young appointed the Focus Group to evaluate the road's impact on academic programs.] On February 25, the Focus Group issues its Final Report, which ends with these conclusions:

"The SW 24th Avenue Focus Group concludes that the proposed road between SW 34th Street and Archer Road would create significant and detrimental academic impacts that cannot be fully mitigated. Even with mitigation, there would be a substantial and permanent net loss. The Focus Group was not able to obtain enough reliable information to assess benefits of the proposed road, nor was it charged with that task."

At its March 18 meeting, the Faculty Senate receives the Final Report of the Focus Group and agrees to vote on the following action at its April 15 meeting: "Based on the SW 24th Avenue Focus Group Final Report dated February 25, 2004, the Faculty Senate requests the Administration to formally drop consideration of a proposed amendment to the UF Campus Master Plan to accommodate transfer and/or dedication of an 80 ft right-of-way to Alachua County for the stated purpose of a 2-lane extension of SW 24th Avenue from 34th Street to Archer Road."

On May 3, President Machen announces that he cannot support the proposal to extend SW 24th Avenue through University property.
Detailed chronology of Spring Semester 2004 events

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Events prior to 2003
(synopsis)

May 23, 1993. UF's Land Use and Facilities Planning Committee endorses a proposal to establish a Campus Natural Area and Outdoor Teaching Laboratory in the southwest corner of campus between SW 34th Street and the Surge Area.

Oct. 27, 1994. Natural Area Advisory Committee holds its first meeting and the development of the Natural Area Teaching Laboratory [NATL] begins.

Nov. to Dec. 1997. Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization [MTPO] sponsors a series of meetings with the principal stakeholders (developers/landowners, University officials, retail/business owners, and neighborhood/environmental groups) to consider how best to improve traffic conditions immediately west of the UF campus. This SW 20th Avenue Charrette, discussed many proposals. The final Charrette plan included a two-lane extension of SW 24th Avenue to Archer Road. John Maruniak, who was UF's planner at the time, reports that the extension was removed and reappeared several times during the final meeting of the Charrette and once afterwards.

Oct. 10, 2000. The Natural Area Advisory Committee learns that the MTPO proposes that SW 24th Avenue be extended to Archer Road. The alignment of the two-lane extension is not specified but, if built, the road will severely impact NATL even if its right-of-way comes entirely from private property immediately south of NATL.

Oct. 16, 2000. The Natural Area Advisory Committee sends a two-page letter to MTPO's Marlie Sanderson describing the detrimental effects an extension of SW 24th Avenue eastward to Archer Road would have on NATL. The letter concludes, "In summary, the Committee opposes the proposed extension of 24th Avenue east of 34the Street because its adverse effects on NATL's value to the University of Florida are unacceptable." A copy of the letter goes to Fred Cantrell in Administrative Affairs.

June 30, 2001 The 2000-2010 update of UF's Comprehensive Master Plan makes no provision for an extension of SW 24th Avenue through campus from SW 34th Street to Archer Road.

On or before Dec. 12, 2002. UF Administration tells some members of the MTPO that UF intends to support an east-west traffic corridor that includes a four-lane segment through the southern edge of campus. [The minutes of the 12 Dec 2002 MTPO meeting and an account describing what UF did to influence local transportation planning support this conclusion.] (

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Spring Semester 2003
(synopsis)

Jan. 7, 2003. The Natural Area Advisory Committee learns that (1) the MTPO is once more addressing the extension of SW 24th Avenue, (2) that for the extension to be fiscally feasible all or most of the right-of-way must come from NATL, and (3) that the right-of-way can come from NATL only if UF approves.

Jan. 9, 2003. The Natural Area Advisory Committee approves sending a letter opposing the extension to Vice President Ed Poppell. The letter is to be based on the Committee's earlier letter to Marley Sanderson.

Jan. 31, 2003. At a special meeting of the Alachua County Commission, UF Administration makes its first public disclosure of its decision to donate NATL land for the right-of-way for a four-lane extension of SW 24th Avenue. These three quotes are from the official minutes of the meeting:
"Mr. Ed Poppell, University of Florida, discussed why the University of Florida is involved with S.W. 24 Avenue; the University's new vision and presented a proposal for accelerating the construction of S.W. 24 Avenue as a 4-lane road."
"Mr. Clark Butler presented his proposed S.W. 24 Avenue estimated project costs and stated that if he builds the 4-lane road it would be a $2.1 million savings to the county."
"Chair Long requested that the University of Florida make a commitment on the 4-lane east/west corridor, specifically that piece of UF property necessary to connect SW 34 Street with Archer Road."
 A map used with the presentations at this meeting shows how the road could be viewed as a connector between east and west Gainesville. An enlargement of a portion of the map shows its relationship to a proposed Butler Plaza North. Poppell's notes, attached to the official minutes, reveal more of what he told the Commission.

Feb. 1, 2003. In an article in the Gainesville Sun, entitled "County, developer may join on project," Ed Poppell is quoted, relative to extending a four-lane 24th Avenue from SW 34th Street to Archer Road, as saying, "We need to go out and see what's there."

Feb. 3, 2003. Because NATL is "what's there," the Natural Area Advisory Committee changes the primary recipient of the letter it is drafting from Vice-President Poppell to President Charles Young.

Feb. 5, 2003. The Natural Area Advisory Committee sends a unanimously approved letter to President Young, with copies to Vice-Presidents Poppell and Colburn, explaining the negative impact that the extension of SW 24th will have on NATL. It concludes, "In summary, the proposed road will unacceptably degrade an irreplaceable asset to many of UF's academic programs. For environmental science programs NATL is the equivalent of essential indoor laboratories for other disciplines. The Natural Area Advisory Committee fervently recommends that the University prevent this loss by refusing to donate the needed right-of-way." Included with the letter were a map showing the path of the road through NATL, an aerial photograph showing how the area available to NATL's wildlife would be fragmented, a usage report, and a September 1999 article from UF Today [13.4MB]. [President Young did not reply to this letter nor acknowledge its receipt.]

Feb. 10, 2003. The Natural Area Advisory Committee delivers a packet of materials to each County Commissioner explaining why UF should refuse to donate land for 24th Avenue. Included is a copy of the letter to President Young.

Feb. 11, 2003. The Alachua County Commission votes 3 to 2 against the four-laning of SW 24th Avenue west of SW 34th Street and votes 3 to 2 in favor of continuing with the original two-lane plan for SW 24th Avenue west of SW 34th Street.

Feb. 12, 2003. Reporter Janine Sikes states in an article in the Gaineville Sun that County Commission Chair Rodney Long told her that, relative to UF donating the right-of-way, "Young had called him Monday [Feb. 10] explaining that UF had internal conflicts."

Feb. 20, 2003. At a meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization [MTPO], UF Vice-President of Finance and Administration Poppell states that the University of Florida is committed to recommending to the State of Florida Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund that right-of-way be provided for an extension of SW 24th Avenue to Archer Road. This extension is to be a segment of a proposed east-west traffic corridor. As a consequence of this commitment, the MTPO amends its long range transportation plan to include a four-lane SW 24th Avenue from SW 62nd Blvd. to Archer Road. The motion to amend is approved by three Alachua County Commissioners and three Gainesville Commissioners, the minimum number from each body required for the amendment to pass. [minutes]

Feb 25, 2003. The Alachua County Commission votes to delay approving a four-lane 24th Avenue until it holds a public hearing.

Feb 26, 2003. NAAC chair Walker sends e-mail to University Senate President Larson asking that the Senate consider the "pros and cons" of UF right-of-way donation for a four-lane 24th Avenue through NATL.

March 4, 2003. In response to the NAAC chair's February 26 request for a University Senate hearing on the proposed right-of-way donation, Senate President Larson reports, "I brought your concern to the Steering Committee last week and it recommends looking at the the proposed eastward extension of SW 24th Avenue in some venue other than the Faculty Senate, at least initially."

March 5, 2003. NAAC sends e-mail to President Young requesting that he describe how a 4-lane road through NATL will benefit the University. [This was followed up to make sure the e-mail had been received, but no reply was forthcoming.]

March 10, 2003. NAAC requests that the proposed donation be considered by UF's Ecology, Conservation and Stewardship Committee (ECOS). According to its website, the focus of ECOS "has expanded to encompass broad goals for managing environmentally sensitive lands on campus."

March 17, 2003. Paula Fussell, Assoc. V-P of Finance and Administration, writes NAAC Chair Tom Walker that she understands that a "plan to look into this issue [UF's proposed donation of right-of-way]" is under consideration and it "will not involve the ECOS committee."

March 20, 2003. UF Faculty Senate meets and unanimously asks that the Administration present the SW 24th Avenue issue to its Lakes, Vegetation and Landscaping Committee and its Transportation and Planning Committee at their April meetings.

March 25, 2003. Alachua County Commission holds a public hearing on making 24th Avenue four lanes rather than two. A letter from UF President Young is read into the record in which he states, "The University of Florida believes its contribution of a right-of-way to extend SW 24th Avenue to Archer Road will support the sustainable growth of Gaineville and Alachua County." NAAC members Tom Walker, Jack Putz, and Mark Brown present written material and PowerPoint images in an effort to convince the Commissioners that UF is unlikely to contribute right-of-way through NATL and UF Preservation Area 1. The Commission votes 3 to 2 in favor of a four-lane 24th Avenue. This action signals Alachua County Public Works to begin spending substantial sums to design a four-lane segment of SW 24th Avenue west of SW 34th Street that shifts northward at its eastern end to align with the proposed right-of-way through NATL.

March 26, 2003. President Young appoints a Focus Group to consider the academic impact of the SW 24th Avenue extension and "possible mitigation of [academic] impact and/or transfer of these programs to other locations." The Focus Group consists of six members, five of whom have administrative appointments. No chair is designated. [Five months later the Focus Group still lacked a chair and a work plan.]

March 28, 2003. NAAC posts a synopsis of the procedures used by Alachua County and the University of Florida to decide that SW 24th should have four lanes instead of two and that UF should donate the right-of-way for the section east of SW 34th Street.

April 1, 2003 The proposed extension of SW 24th Avenue is presented as an informational item at a meeting of the Land Use and Facilities Planning Committee. Frank Maturo states that he has concerns about the procedures used by the University of Florida and Alachua County to decide that SW 24th Avenue should be developed as a four-lane road and about the procedures used by the University of Florida to decide to offer campus land for a portion of the right-of-way. Dr. Maturo further states that he is shocked at the VP and President’s decision because the UF committees should have been asked for their advice prior to any decision. Paula V. Fussell, Assoc. VP of Finance and Administration, states that there has been miscommunication of this issue and that the administration fully intends to follow the UF committees and the Master Plan amendment process.

April 7, 2003 NAAC completes an information page to help the Transportation and Parking Committee in its consideration of SW 24th Avenue at its April 8 meeting. This page has eleven "information items" with links and documents to support them. From these items, it draws these two conclusions:
(1) The University is promoting a change in the 20th Avenue Charrette and the MTPO's long range transportation plan that is not based on sound evidence and is counter to the recommendations of professional transportation planners.
(2) This change was initiated by Butler Enterprises in connection with a proposed commercial development that will more than double the retail space in the Butler Plaza area.
It sends e-mail to all T & P member requesting that they review the information items and ask Linda Dixon if the items are correct and if the conclusions from them are warranted.

April 8, 2003 Traffic and Parking Committee meets and hears information from UF Planning Manager Linda Dixon on its agenda item on "24th Avenue Extension." No one asks her if the information items in the NAAC information page are correct or whether the conclusions are warranted. No action is taken on what to report to the Faculty Senate.

April 8, 2003 NAAC member Mark Clark presents information to the 34th Street Committee on "Proposed extension of SW 24th Avenue and its effect on the NATL."

April 14, 2003 Lakes, Vegetation, and Landscaping Committee meets and hears information from UF Planning Manager Linda Dixon on an information agenda item on "SW 24th Avenue Proposed Extension." The committee's concerns about the road, later reported to the Faculty Senate, include: (1) the impact of the road to NATL will be greater than the loss of 3.1 acres, (2) the MTPO's 20 Feb 2003 amendment to its long range transportation plan was not consistent with the results of community input and the conclusions of planning studies, (3) the UF decision to recommend donation of the ROW was apparently made without input from the relevant University Committees and community, (4) the Focus Group is being asked to make decisions about impacts and mitigation without the use of a Complete Cost/Benefit Analysis. The committee approves the following motion relative to its report to the Faculty Senate: "The LVLC supports a process which encompasses the development of a Complete Cost/Benefit Analysis for UF, identifying academic & conservation impacts, potential mitigation and provides opportunities for public input."

April 17, 2003 Faculty Senate meets and hears from Ed Poppell, Gail Sasnett (Transportation and Parking chair), and Tina Gurucharri (Lakes, Vegetation and Landscaping chair) in regards to "Proposed SW 24th Avenue extension." The Senate passes this motion proposed in LVL's report: "The UF Administration should clarify its position on the 24th Avenue extension in order to address procedural concerns and ensure that a process will be implemented that allows for input from the entire University community before any final decisions are made."

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Summer Terms 2003
(synopsis)

May 6, 2003 (After the end of Spring Semester) Vice-President Poppell chairs the first meeting of the Focus Group and gives the Group these two charges: Identify and assess the potential impacts the proposed road may have on the University's academic and research programs, and identify or develop measures or alternatives that could mitigate or minimize any impacts the proposed road may potentially create for the University. Maps of the area of concern and background material on the MTPO's 2020 Transportation Plan were handed out and discussed. No one volunteers to chair the Group. Poppell agrees to convene it again.

May 19, 2003 Focus Group meets for the second time. North Central Florida Regional Planning Council's Transportation Director Marlie Sanderson describes the history and prospects for the proposed SW 24th Avenue extension. The Group adjourns until the Fall Semester (still with no chair and no work plan).

Aug. 14, 2003 MTPO meets to decide how transportation funds will be spent for the coming year. In the members' packets for the meeting is a memo describing the status of UF's commitment to donate ROW and suggesting that the MPTO should ask UF to expedite its Master Plan amendment process relative to its proposed donation. Commissioner Byerly moves that UF Administration give the MTPO a time line for completing the amendment process. His motion is tabled after VP Poppell assures the MPTO that UF will be forthcoming without such a motion being passed.

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Fall Semester 2003
(synopsis)

Aug. 27, 2003 By unanimous vote, NAAC members agree to have the faculties of their departments and schools sign a petition requesting the Administration to "initiate the protocol for a major amendment to the Master Plan no later than September 30, 2003, thereby allowing the University community adequate input into the decision making process regarding this important proposed change in the use of campus land."

Sep. 2, 2003 UF's Environmental Action Group meets, hears a talk on environmental and procedural issues relative to the proposed donation of right-of-way for SW 24th Avenue through NATL, and discusses how to prompt the University administration to have hearings on the costs and benefits of such a donation.

Sep. 3, 2003 VP Poppell sends MTPO members a letter with an estimated timeline for UF amending the Master Plan to allow SW 24th Avenue to be extended eastward on UF property. The Focus Group (or "Task Force") is to report in January 2004, the four land-use committees are to report in May 2004, and the "final recommendation" [of the Administration?] is to be made in June 2004. The letter concludes, "While we are hopeful these timelines will be adhered to, we cannot assure you of such."

Sep. 8, 2003 NAAC Chair Tom Walker updates the Lakes, Vegetation and Landscaping Committee [LVL] on the status of NATL. The Committee votes to "oppose the 24th Avenue extension through NATL." This opposition will be conveyed to the Faculty Senate.

Sep. 11, 2003 NAAC Chair Tom Walker informs the Faculty Senate Steering Committee of some of the procedural issues relative to SW 24th Avenue. The Committee declines to put on the agenda of the September Senate meeting a request that "UF Administration begin the amendment process for its proposed donation of right-of-way for a four-lane extension of SW 24th Avenue east of SW 34th Street and that it use procedures commensurate with the potential impacts of the extension...." This request would have been a follow up to actions of the Senate on March 20 and April 17.

Sep. 25, 2003 The Natural Area Advisory Committee sends a unanimously approved letter to President Young, with a copy to Vice-President Poppell, suggesting three ways that Young might end the confusing situation in which the University seems to be delaying the start of the Master Plan amendment process, which is needed to effect the donation, while allowing Alachua County to spend its road money to design a road that depends on the donation occurring. With the letter were petitions signed by 124 faculty in nine department and four colleges requesting that UF begin the Master Plan Amendment process without further delay. [This letter received no acknowldgement or reply.]

Sep. 25, 2003 Senate Steering Committee hears briefly from President Charles Young and NAAC Chair Tom Walker relative to the wisdom of the proposed donation of right-of-way.

Sep. 26, 2003 The 24th Avenue Focus Group (or "Task Force") meets for third time and agrees that it should hear from representatives of the Natural Area Teaching Laboratory, the MTPO, University of Florida, and IFAS. Because he will be out of the country on sabbatical, member Tom Crisman resigns and recommends Mark Brown (Environmental Engineering Science) or Mark Clark (Soil and Water Science) as qualified to fill his position on the Focus Group. Minutes of meeting

Oct. 3, 6, 7, and 8, 2003 NAAC Chair Tom Walker sends four emails to the 150 members of the Faculty Senate explaining why the proposed donation of right-of-way for a four-lane extension of SW 24th Ave should be an action item on the agenda of the 16 Oct Senate meeting.

Oct. 7, 2003 Alachua County Commission votes 3 to 2 to send a letter to U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns asking for $12.5 million in federal transportation funds for the design and construction of a four-lane SW 62nd Blvd/SW 24th Ave from SW 20th Ave to Archer Road. The letter states that "This project is supported by ...the University of Florida." A statement entered into the record of the meeting points out that the road in question has thus far evaded three planning procedures that are intended to insure that public funds are spent in ways that advance the public good: (1) professional traffic planning, (2) the Development of Regional Impact review process, and (3) UF's Master Plan amendment process. [memos of meetings at which letter was conceived]

Oct. 9, 2003 Senate Steering Committee makes "SW 24th Avenue Extension" a Part One action item on the agenda for the 16 Oct meeting of the Faculty Senate. [Part One action items are normally informational but become Part Two items at the next meeting allowing a vote to be taken.]

Oct. 11, 2003 Gainesville Sun publishes an article regarding an ethics complaint against County Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut alleging that she should not have accepted two expensive tickets to UF's 150th anniversity gala from Clark Butler. The article noted that, in March, Chestnut cast the majority vote to overturn a previous commission's vote to build SW 24th Avenue as a two-lane road and that Butler has been pushing for the four-lane road to further his plans to build a shopping center on about 100 acres. On Oct. 14 (see below), the Commission is scheduled to consider whether to enter into a $2.7 million contract with Butler to fast-track the construction of the segment of SW 24th Avenue between SW 34th Street and SW 43rd Street.

Oct. 12, 2003 In a Speaking Out piece in the Gainesville Sun, President Young reminds the public that he only promised to recommend that UF amend its Master Plan to provide right-of-way for the extension of SW 24th Avenue. He also states that he will “in no way hurry the process” [that might lead to the right-of-way donation]. The time line provided by VP Poppell places the recommendation to amend the Master Plan no sooner than February 2004, at which time Bernie Machen will be President. .

Oct. 14, 2003 Alachua County Commission votes 3 to 2 to enter into an agreement with Clark Butler to expedite the construction of SW 24th Avenue west of SW 34th Street as a four-lane road that aligns with the proposed right-of-way donation through NATL.

Oct. 16, 2003 Faculty Senate takes up "SW 24th Avenue Extension." as a Part One action item and hears President Young defend the procedures and the delay in reaching a decision on the proposed right-of-way donation [excerpts from Young's remarks].

Oct. 26, 2003 In a "Talking Back" piece in the Gainesville Sun, Alachua County Commissioner Mike Byerly responds to President Young's Oct. 12 "Speaking Out" piece. Byerly states that the plan for SW 24th Avenue that President Young is championing is not the charrette plan but "an alternative plan recently proposed by developer and UF benefactor Clark Butler, which conflicts with the intent of the original plan."

Oct. 27, 2003 T. J. Walker, Chair, Natural Area Advisory Committee gives a PowerPoint presentation on "NATL and SW 24th Avenue" to the Focus Group (also known as the SW 24th Avenue Task Force). Minutes of meeting

Oct. 31, 2003 Closing day for initial comments on Application CPA-08-03, a proposed amendment to Alachua County's Comprehensive Plan that makes SW 24th Avenue a four-lane roadway on four maps of the Transportation Mobility Element. (30 Oct 2003 comments on Application CPA-08-03)

Nov. 4, 2003 Alachua County Commission votes 3 to 2 to return to the two-lane plan for the construction of SW 24th Avenue from SW 34th Street to SW 43rd Street. (Sun article.)

Nov. 14, 2003 Focus Group hears local traffic experts as to status and possible futures of an extension of SW 24th Avenue through NATL. Minutes of meeting

Nov. 20, 2003 By a vote of 52 to 21, the Faculty Senate approves a resolution requesting that the UF Administration "withdraw its 20 Feb 2003 and 25 March 2003 endorsements of the donation of right-of-way for a four-lane extension of SW 24th Avenue through the Natural Area Teaching Laboratory and Preservation Area 1." (Sun article.)

Dec. 1, 2003 NAAC sends a letter to incoming UF President Bernie Machen informing him of the main issues involved in the SW 24th Avenue controversy and enclosing a sampling of web-posted materials.

Dec. 9, 2003 Following presentations by UF Vice-President Ed Poppell and NAAC Chair Tom Walker, the UF Student Senate votes unanimously for a resolution that states (in part), "the student body does not believe an extension of SW 24th Avenue from SW 34th Street to Archer Road through NATL to be in our best interest or in the long-term best interest of the University of Florida" and "we urge UF Administration to withdraw its commitment, made to the Alachua County Commission and to the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization, to recommend an amendment to the University of Florida's Master Plan to provide right-of-way for an extension of SW 24th Avenue to Archer Road." The authors of the resolution were EAG Vice President Dave Chermak and Senator Kelly Gleaton. The sponsors were Senators Kelly Gleaton, Laura Ruhl, Diane Kassim, and Jon Clouser. Minutes of meeting

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Spring Semester 2004
(synopsis)

Jan. 5, 2004 Bernie Machen becomes UF President and must soon decide whether to endorse the donation of right-of-way through NATL for an extension of SW 24th Avenue.

Jan. 15, 2004 SW 24th Avenue Focus Group hears from faculty as to the impact of an extension of SW 24th Avenue through NATL. (Alligator article (pdf version)) (Alligator article (UF archive)) Minutes of meeting

Feb. 5, 2004 Focus Group meets to review draft of final report. The group is told that the final report will have an appended draft of an amendment to the UF Master Plan to allow an extension of SW 24th Avenue through NATL and that UF's land use committees will be asked to approve or disapprove the amendment during Spring Semester. Minutes of meeting

Feb.25, 2004 Date of Focus Group Final Report, which ends with this statement: "The SW 24th Avenue Focus Group concludes that the proposed road between SW 34th Street and Archer Road would create significant and detrimental academic impacts that cannot be fully mitigated. Even with mitigation, there would be a substantial and permanent net loss. The Focus Group was not able to obtain enough reliable information to assess benefits of the proposed road, nor was it charged with that task." Appended to the report are the minutes of the meetings of the Focus Group and a draft of an amendment to the UF Master Plan to allow an extension of SW 24th Avenue through NATL.

Mar. 18, 2004 Faculty Senate receives the Final Report of the SW 24th Avenue Focus Group as an information item and approves the wording of an action item to appear on the agenda of the April 15 Senate meeting.

Apr. 15, 2004 Faculty Senate votes unanimously for this action item: "Based on the SW 24th Avenue Focus Group Final Report dated February 25, 2004, the Faculty Senate requests the Administration to formally drop consideration of a proposed amendment to the UF Campus Master Plan to accommodate transfer and/or dedication of a right-of-way for the stated purpose of an extension of SW 24th Avenue from 34th Street to Archer Road." (Sun article, Alligator article)

May 3, 2004 President Machen sends letter to MTPO stating that he "cannot support this proposal to extend this road through University property."

Up-coming events
until some time in 2005 Machen's letter indicates that the proposed donation of land from NATL for an extension of SW 24th Avenue is dead. However, in an article in the Gainesville Sun, Machen is quoted as writing in an email, "The university would consider any proposal in the future if it was designed to make a significant difference in the quality of life in Gainesville and the university." This suggests that the upcoming events of greatest importance are the preparation and adoption of the 2005 update of the MTPO's 20-year road plan. If the plan that is adopted shows no future road across NATL, NATL would seem saved for the foreseeable future.


If you find anything in the above that is inaccurate or misleading, please e-mail the details to natl@ufl.edu so that the problem can be corrected.

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