State of the City

A Fresh Year Full of New Beginnings

BY ASHLEY DOBBS

It’s hard to believe that the calendar has turned over to January and a new year has begun. A new year comes with new beginnings and it’s always exciting to see what is on the horizon for the City of Ocala.

With the onset of the new year, we are happy to welcome new and returning faces to our Ocala City Council. After a long election season that wrapped up in November 2021, the newly sworn in elected officials begin their leadership journey in the new year. City staff looks forward to working with our new councilmembers, Barry Mansfield, District 1, Kristen Dreyer, District 4, and James Hilty, District 5, along with re-elected Mayor Kent Guinn, re-elected Jay Musleh, District 3, and currently seated Ire Bethea, District 2 councilmembers.

Councilmembers play an important role within our City government, helping shape growth, identifying priority projects, and facilitating community awareness. Few have left a lasting impression the way that former City Council member Mary Sue Rich did during her time on council. One of the City’s highest profile projects, The Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, broke ground in early 2021 and is slated for completion in the fall. This two-story building will serve as an anchor in the western part of Ocala, providing recreational space, banquet halls, a library and more.

New projects taking shape throughout this year include public art installations , new dining options, and capital improvement projects that will enhance our city parks.

After a series of community engagement meetings in the Fall of 2021, the start of a new art mural will begin in early January. Relying on input from citizens, the artist found inspiration from social, economic, and political issues that are prevalent in our world. The mural will be located on the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center and will capture the significance and beauty of community.

From recreation centers to green spaces, parks are an important part of what help center a community. This year, two parks will see upgrades in the form of public restroom facilities. Both the Tuscawilla Art Park and

E.D. Croskey Mural – Please note: This is an artist rendering and images may differ upon completion

Mary Sue Rich Community Center – Photo by R.L. Burns Inc.

the Ocala Skate Park will receive new facilities, providing an added benefit to both incredibly popular parks. These new additions will expand upon the growth that our parks are seeing year over year.

Located in the heart of downtown and next to the historic Union Station, a new restaurant will soon be coming on board. The city approved a five-year lease agreement for the new restaurant, called Depot on Magnolia, which will occupy the former location of Dee Dee’s Diner. We are excited for this new dinning opportunity that will part of the North Magnolia area and will serve residents and visitors alike Stay tuned

Ocala City Council

for grand opening announcements.

We have many things to look forward to in 2022. Over the next 365 days, as these new projects come online and are incorporated into the City of Ocala, we will gather momentum and feel the energy associated with new beginnings. These additions and improvements are chosen and implemented with citizens in mind, and we will continue to look for opportunities to enhance the lives of our residents. From all of us at the City of Ocala, we wish all a happy and prosperous new year!

Ashley Dobbs is the Marketing and Communications Manager for the City Of Ocala.