Friends defend Lake Alice

Friends defend Lake Alice
October 1997

Once again, a UF proposal has surfaced to build a family student housing complex on Bat-house Field, right across from Lake Alice. There will be a rally on Monday, October 20 at 5 p.m. opposing the building of 176 units of housing next to the lake.

Opponents of the building argue that housing on this site would have a negative impact on the plants, animals, and humans. Building would require the removal of the bat-house, student gardens, a biomass experimental area, and other experimental fields. Friends of Lake Alice say that there are five alternative sites available for housing on campus.

The decision will be made by the Governor and Cabinet by mid-November. Opponents say, "As a place where Gainesville citizens and visitors alike can go to watch birds, bats, and alligators, to picnic or just to relax, the Lake Alice area is an important zone of tranquility on a campus that is increasingly being filled in with buildings and parking lots. Putting a housing complex directly across the street from Lake Alice will create additional traffic congestion, noise, and visual clutter, ruining the special character that brings people to the area."

They urge anyone who agrees to write or call the Governor and Cabinet officials below, asking them to vote to remove the "Housing" designation from this site, replacing it with a "Conservation" designation:

Governor Lawton Chiles
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399
tel: (850) 488 5152
fax: (850) 921 6311

Frank T. Brogan
Department of Education
Tallahassee, FL 3239
(850) 488-0080

Sandra B. Mortham
Dept. of State
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 414-5534

For more information, call Christine Housel at 371 2342.