Dear Supporters of UVS and Maguire Village,

Thank you for signing our petition to protect the beautiful trees and historic homes of UVS and Maguire Village at UF, and for all of you who already sent in comments to local officials, thanks!  Your input with the Alachua County Commission last week successfully got them to postpone their decision to approve UF's CDA until December 14th, which is great news!  It gives us more time to gather signatures, raise awareness, and collect data as to why these villages should be saved.

But today, we are asking you again to comment to the other governing agency involved in approving UF's CDA, the City of Gainesville.  We are asking that you request for them NOT TO SIGN OFF on the proposed Campus Development Agreement (CDA) until UF removes the demolition of Maguire/UVS from its Campus Master Plan (CMP).  Once again, the CDA approval by Alachua and Gainesville is really the only chance for outside oversight on the University, so if Gainesville joins with Alachua on this very public rebuke, it will go a long way in our efforts.

Tomorrow afternoon on Thursday, November 18th, the Gainesville City Commission will potentially hold their second and final vote on the CDA, and we need as many people as possible to ask them not to approve it "as is."  It is Item BD-6 (which was a late addition to the Agenda, only being added less than 24 hours ago, which we think is inadequate notice), and the agenda link is here.  You can provide public comment by either: clicking the "eComment" link to the right of the agenda page, calling in, showing up, or emailing the commission ahead of time (citycomm@cityofgainesville.org).  The ask is simple -- that the Commission NOT APPROVE the CDA with UF unless either: 1) the Commission amends the motion on the CDA with the requirement to save Maguire/UVS, or 2) UF removes the demolition plans from their CMP.  If they need more time, then simply postponing the final vote until this is worked out is the best option (as Alachua did, and because they still have until March until they are required to decide).  But if the CDA is approved with only vague assurances from UF, then UF will have no reason to change course.

Remember, there is no harm to anyone if these decisions are simply delayed, but there is harm if they proceed and the irreversible destruction takes place.  Please do all you can to continue to speak out and spread our Petition, and hopefully we can save this treasured, beautiful, and culturally-important area together.  Push back whenever UF staff lies about these apartments' structural quality -- all buildings require upkeep, but that is no reason to destroy this wonderful community or ecosystem. 

Thank you again for your support!