college park
The first plat in College Park was recorded in 1907 making it the oldest neighborhood included in the boundaries of the University Park Neighborhood Association (a voluntary 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to protect and improve its neighborhoods www.upnagnv.org). It is bounded on the east by NW 13th Street, on the south by West University Avenue, and on the west by NW 19th Street from 5th Avenue to 4th Avenue, NW 20th Street from 4th Avenue to University Avenue. It also includes the UF Foundation Building, Emerson Alumni Hall and the Hillel Foundation Building along University Avenue. On the north it is bounded by NW 7th Avenue from 13th Street to 15th Street and by NW 5th Avenue from 15th Street to 19th Street.
It was originally comprised of single-family homes, two-story apartments and commercial buildings that faced University Avenue and NW 13th Street. After World War II several fraternities were built along University Avenue west of NW 18th Street. Other University-oriented buildings are found along University Avenue including the Institutes for Black Culture and Hispanic-Latino Cultures.
A zoning change in the early 2000s resulted in the demolition of many single-family homes and two-story apartment buildings for the new construction of 3, 4, and 5 story apartments geared to student living. The Standard, that occupies the northwest corner of the intersection of NW 13th Street and University Avenue was completed in 2018 and was permitted at 10 stories. Some small apartments and single-family homes remain, but the great majority of those are now rentals.
Rezoning also resulted in the loss of many iconic locally-owned businesses that include the College Inn, the Florida Bookstore, Goering’s Bookstore, Burrito Brothers, Café Gardens, Chaucer’s and The Swamp.
To propose changes to your neighborhood’s page please contact neighbor@gainesvilleneighborhoodsunited.org