Beautifying city streets and intersections, and making them more accessible to pedestrians, is one of the bigger aspects of Gainesville’s new downtown plan to guide growth and development over the coming decades.

Officials said that because downtown is surrounded by major thoroughfares, improving sidewalks and streets to make them safer and more walkable from places like Brenau University and midtown is critical to the life of the square.

“Crossing the moat” of Jesse Jewell Parkway, West Academy Street or E.E. Butler Parkway is never easy.

Now, city officials are applying for a $50,000 grant from Wells Fargo and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation to improve crosswalks, construct grassy medians, install wayfinding signs to points of interest, and plant trees and shrubs.  

If the grant is received, city officials said they intend to provide a $25,000 match.