Here's a deeper issue that came out when they built the monstrosity on the NW corner of Univ and 13th. The City has a bunch of left wing dips hits running the town. Gainesville used to be pretty well managed. GRU used to not have the best rates, but they were competitive. What's happened is the same thing that's happened in Detroit, Baltimore, etc. The money isn't there, so ideals and principles get pushed to the side. Thirty years ago, they city would have never let the corner of 13th and Univ to be developed in such a manner. Now, what choice do they have. They continue to mismanage funds and just make god awful decisions. They need the money.
I don't care that the Swamp Restaurant is going away. But those who talk about it's link to Gainesville as a college town are right. Gainesville is changing. It is definitely still rooted in UF, but healthcare and technology sectors are growing. This isn't the quaint town we grew up in while at UF. It's different, and most of us don't like the changes. But it's also the change in society and our culture as well. This town will cater to these kids, and they aren't the same as us.
Maybe it's because I still live here, but I don't miss UF anymore. I used to try to make it to a game whenever possible, but now I don't really bother. I could (and have) made the excuses about A/C, high def, etc, but I really just don't enjoy visiting campus much anymore. Between Fuchs and Machen, they have successfully changed the mindset at UF, and it's not for the better. UF always knew how much it meant to G'ville, but now it feels like there is a sense of entitlement by UF and a lack of respect and appreciation for the town in which it sits.
