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After 10 Years, Gainesville’s Heartwood Subdivision Completes First Home
By Charlene Medders
April 9, 2021
The first home in the Heartwood subdivision of east Gainesville was completed, breaking ground after 10 years of preparation.
David Arreola, a Gainesville city commissioner, said he’s really impressed with the amenities and quality of the home. Arreola, who has been a commissioner for four years, said he’s excited for the growth of this neighborhood because it’s one of the first new subdivisions built in east Gainesville in a long time.
“The city commission, even before my time, has long been putting resources and planning into this project,” he said. “And I’m just lucky enough to be here when it finally comes to fruition.” Arreola said this subdivision will be the first fully integrated mixed income community in Gainesville, and to introduce housin
Editor s note: This month, The Sun dives into some of Gainesville s underrepresented Black community leaders and their work. Anne Wolf is the third in this series.
Anne Wolf grew up 45 minutes south of Gainesville in Ocala. She is biracial her father is Black and her mother white but lived surrounded by whiteness both at home with her mom, stepfather and stepsister in a white suburban neighborhood and a predominantly white school.
At 8 years old, she stopped playing outside after experiencing personal incidents of racial violence. At school, she noticed students of color would get in trouble more often than white kids. The education system did not feel like a place of hope or opportunities for Black students; it was just somewhere to be housed for the day. She wondered why.
The voting for the 11-member panel’s leadership positions proved contentious.
Council member Bob Cohen recommended Fareed Johnson, a commercial driver who had previously served as vice chair, because of his perspective as a 28-year-old Black man.
However, two members – Keyon Young, 21, a night auditor at a local hotel, and Ernest Walker, 42, who works at a fast-food restaurant – said a newly appointed member should serve as chair.
Walker suggested Andrew Miles serve as chair, saying the 63-year-old executive director of the Greater Duval Neighborhood Association has witnessed police brutality and better understands how the police feel toward the community.
“Mr. Andrew Miles is in the heart of ‘Out East’ Gainesville,” Walker said. “I think he would be a great overseer.”