Breaking Ground on Hawthorne Heights: A Step Forward for Affordable Housing in East Gainesville

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Construction is officially underway on Hawthorne Heights, a new affordable housing community that will bring 86 senior living apartment homes to Gainesville’s east side. The development marks a major investment in the city’s ongoing efforts to expand access to affordable, high-quality housing and revitalize the Hawthorne Road corridor.

Located at 2412 SE Hawthorne Road, Hawthorne Heights is being developed by National CORE, a nationally recognized nonprofit specializing in affordable housing communities that promote long-term stability, sustainability, and resident well-being. Once complete, the community will offer thoughtfully designed apartment homes, shared amenities, and on-site services for residents—all within close proximity to schools, parks, and public transit.

eda’s Role in the Project

As the civil engineering consultant, eda provided a full scope of site design, surveying, and permitting services to help bring the project from concept to construction. Our work included:

  • Full construction plans for site engineering, including detailed utility plans and paving, grading, and drainage design

  • An Environmental Resource Permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), complete with stormwater calculations and the design of a new on-site stormwater basin

  • FDOT driveway and drainage permitting, ensuring safe and compliant access to the development

  • Preparation and submittal of a major development plan to the City of Gainesville for approval by the Development Review Board

  • Coordination of water, sewer, and electric services with Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU)

  • A comprehensive boundary and topographic (ALTA) survey identifying underground utilities and FEMA flood zone data

From concept planning through permitting, eda worked closely with the project team to ensure the design met the City’s engineering standards while supporting National CORE’s goals for a sustainable, community-centered development.

A Milestone for East Gainesville

The Hawthorne Heights groundbreaking represents more than the start of a construction project—it’s a milestone for East Gainesville. The development will provide new housing opportunities for some of our City’s most vulnerable population, helping to address a critical housing shortage in the region.

Hawthorne Heights is also one of the region’s first Live Local Act developments, taking advantage of new state legislation designed to encourage affordable and workforce housing by streamlining approvals and incentivizing development in urban areas. This designation underscores the project’s alignment with both state and local priorities to make housing more attainable for Floridians.

In addition to housing, the project is expected to stimulate further investment along the Hawthorne Road corridor and contribute to the City’s vision for a more connected, equitable community.

Looking Ahead

eda is proud to contribute our local expertise to projects that improve quality of life and strengthen neighborhoods throughout North Central Florida. Hawthorne Heights exemplifies what’s possible when dedicated partners—public, private, and nonprofit—work together toward a shared goal of building a better Gainesville.

Congratulations to National CORE, the City of Gainesville, and all the project partners involved in making this vision a reality. We look forward to seeing the positive impact Hawthorne Heights will have on the community for years to come.