walkable design and bicycles included with every rental home. “It really looks at taking a community and immersing itself in nature. It’s a fascinating proof-of-concept community,” Glaeser says. Its adjacency to 7,000 acres of nature trails with 30 miles of bike paths enhances its appeal. “We take advantage of a lot of the natural elements, including wetlands and also parks,” he adds. Strategically located just nine miles from the University of Florida, the tech hub taps into what Glaeser calls “some of the brightest people in the world.”This talent pipeline, combined with the city’s infrastructure and quality of life, creates what he describes as “a very warm and inviting community” for global companies. The project’s success validates Alachua’s progressive approach. “It was a bit of a risk but has certainly proven to be an asset to the community,” Glaeser notes, highlighting how the city’s support for innovative development has paid dividends in economic growth and community building. ADDRESSING THE HOUSING CRISIS Alachua is proactively responding to Florida’s housing shortage with strategic developments. “At the various stages of application and development review, there are a total of more than 2,000 units in process,” reveals Valladares. This surge follows a decade of commercial growth that outpaced residential construction, creating what Valladares calls “one of the larger challenges for our community.” 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 ALACHUA, FL
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