Crews used a towering crane last week to hoist massive steel beams into place at Theatre Park, marking one of the most significant steps yet in the park’s ongoing transformation. The large steel structure, which now spans the entire width of the park, has been welded into position and will serve as the framework for the new stage area.
The installation signals that the long-awaited renovation of the downtown landmark is entering a visible new phase. For residents and visitors walking along Main Street, the structure is a striking sign of progress toward revitalizing one of Alachua’s most photographed gathering spaces.
Theatre Park, located at 14900 Main Street, has a storied history. Once the site of a drycleaner and later a movie house, the property was converted into an open-air park decades ago. Its historic brick walls and archways have long made it a popular backdrop for community events and casual photos.
But years of overgrowth, a failing arbor, and flooding concerns left the park in poor condition. In 2011, structural instability prompted the City of Alachua to close the park for several months while contractors reinforced the east wall, constructed new columns, and removed the upper portions of the front and side walls to reduce wind load. The emergency work, which cost more than $40,000, was paid for by the Downtown Redevelopment Trust Board, the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) at the time.