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Our Work, Our Story

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This curated collection highlights 50 projects from 50 years of eda, each one contributing to the growth of our firm and the North Central Florida region. Featured weekly throughout 2026, these projects reflect the challenges, collaboration, and people behind the work—along with insights and memories gathered along the way. Together, they tell the story of eda.

featured project

Project #6 of 50:

Publix at Westgate Shopping Center

Client

Shagbark Properties, LLC

Location

Gainesville, FL

Year

2022

The Westgate Publix redevelopment was a high-profile site transformation that delivered a new grocery store and commercial liner buildings while navigating transect zoning, multi-agency coordination, and complex roadway interfaces, demonstrating how even everyday destinations require careful design and regulatory navigation to function seamlessly within the broader community.

Located at a major FDOT intersection, the project required thoughtful planning and engineering to balance accessibility, traffic flow, utilities, and pedestrian connectivity. eda provided surveying, planning, and civil engineering services, supporting site development, permitting, and construction coordination to bring the redevelopment to completion.

More to come as we celebrate 50 years of eda.

No. 6: Publix at Westgate Shopping Center

Project #6 of 50 is the Westgate Publix redevelopment, a high-profile site transformation at a major FDOT intersection that delivered a new grocery store and commercial liner buildings. eda provided surveying, planning, and civil engineering services, supporting site development, permitting, and construction coordination to bring this complex redevelopment to completion.

No. 5: Nature Coast State Trail

Project #5 of 50 is the Nature Coast State Trail, a destination for biking, walking, and exploring North Florida’s landscapes. Stretching 42 miles along former railroad corridors, the trail connects Cross City, Trenton, Fanning Springs, and Chiefland.

eda’s work in support of improvements along the corridor included site and development plans, stormwater design, permitting coordination, construction support, and preparation of easement descriptions to convert sections of the abandoned rail line into a continuous public trail.

No. 4: GRU Eastside Operations Center

Project #3 of 50 is the Gainesville Regional Utilities Eastside Operations Center. Completed in 2009, this 118-acre compound is located along North Main Street and serves as the operational hub for GRU. eda provided full-scope civil engineering, planning, and surveying services for this complex development, which houses 280,000 SF of maintenance operations, administrative offices, training facilities, and warehouses—expanding GRU’s capacity to serve Gainesville’s growing community.

No. 3: 88th Street Cottages

Project #3 of 50 is 88th Street Cottages, completed in 2020 and recognized as Alachua County’s first Cottage Neighborhood. Located off SW Archer Road just west of Tower Road, the development includes 27 homes on 3.8 acres and introduced a compact, walkable residential model centered around shared open space. The project reflects the County’s intent to encourage high-quality infill development and expand housing options through efficient land use. eda provided engineering, planning, and surveying services, supporting the successful implementation of this new development type and helping set a precedent for future cottage neighborhoods.

No. 2: Hyatt Place Gainesville Downtown

Project #2 of 50 is the Hyatt Place Gainesville Downtown, a six-story mixed-use development in the heart of historic downtown Gainesville. The project delivered the first new hotel rooms to downtown in 13 years and includes a 143-room hotel, 39 loft-style apartments, office space, and ground-floor retail. Designed to support year-round downtown activity, the project adheres to Green Globe sustainability standards and incorporates local culture. Improvements within the public right-of-way enhanced accessibility, walkability, and the surrounding streetscape and public spaces. eda provided civil engineering, permitting, and surveying services for this project, demonstrating eda’s ability to deliver complex urban infill developments through careful coordination and technical expertise.

No. 1: UF Band Field

Project #1 of 50 is the UF Pride of the Sunshine Marching Band Practice Facility on UF’s main campus. For years, the band suffered subpar practice field conditions until this project delivered a practice environment that finally matches the caliber of the program. eda served as prime consultant and project manager, providing civil engineering and surveying services and coordinating closely with UF, specialty designers, and the contractor to deliver the project on schedule and within budget. With a staff full of Gators, including some former Pride of the Sunshine members, this project was especially meaningful to our team.