Downtown Gainesville might be getting a little bit smarter.

City leaders are proposing integrating the city with a smartphone app that allows users to retrieve information on their phone by scanning a bar code plastered in the windows of empty buildings.

The idea for using the QR code app was introduced by Catiel Felts, public information officer for the city, at the Gainesville City Council retreat Jan. 18.

“You can get the specs on the building, the square footage of the building, how much it rents for or sells for, possibilities for how it might be used,” Felts said.

Users could also see the owner’s contact information.

“That’s a Main Street Gainesville program that is working on that, and they hope to have it in place in a couple of months,” Felts said.

“We just think it’d be a lot easier for people to find information about downtown by doing something like
that.”

Some business owners already use the app to reach out to potential customers.

Rahab’s Rope on Bradford Street had a QR bar code put in the window a few days ago.

Employee Emily Cohen said a college intern had the idea and was running its application.

When pedestrians with smartphones scan the bar code, they are taken to the downtown business’ website.

“It’s good for people walking by at night, coming from the restaurants that are open when we aren’t,” Cohen said.
“If they’re interested in the business, they can get more info