by Jan Zumbrun and Dex Lewis
After more than two decades of movement, resilience, and community-building, the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida has taken a defining step forward by voting to purchase a permanent home.
At a special meeting on April 19, the Center’s Board of Directors made the long-anticipated decision to acquire a 4,500 square foot commercial property at 1204 NW 10th Ave. The vote, passed by a strong majority, marks a turning point for an organization that has spent 22 years operating out of temporary spaces, adapting time and again to changing circumstances, including the recent loss of its most recent lease on April 30.
The decision came after a meeting filled with both careful deliberation and unmistakable emotion. As board members and community voices weighed in, a clear theme emerged: the time to act had arrived.
Board member Carolina Cordero captured the urgency succinctly: “The moment is now.”
Ocean Raethstein encouraged fellow members to “… move boldly.” And Nelida Jean-Baptiste Pellot urged the Board to use both the Center’s location and its leadership to deepen its commitment to diversity.
Community members echoed that call. Robert Chapman shared that PFLAG unanimously supports the purchase, while Faith Reidenbach emphasized the opportunity to broaden outreach to Black and other people-of-color-led LGBTQ+ groups. Ashley Bowers offered a line that resonated throughout the room: “The best time to plant a tree is ten years ago. The next best time is now.”
When the final vote was cast, the response was immediate and heartfelt. A chorus of whoops, applause, and expressions of joy filled the room, reflecting not just approval, but a shared sense of accomplishment for something long hoped for and dearly won.
The path to that moment was anything but simple. Board Vice President Dex Lewis and Assistant Vice President Zach Bongiovani led an intensive search to identify a suitable property, ultimately securing a centrally located building and coordinating the extensive due diligence required for the Board’s consideration. Their work, along with contributions from many others, was met with deep appreciation from both fellow board members and attendees.
The Board reviewed inspection reports, repair needs, financing options, and projected costs, including a plan for owner financing over the first two years followed by a commercial mortgage.
While a few members voiced concerns about long-term financial stability and the need for continued community communication, the broader consensus was clear. The opportunity outweighed the risk.
Financially, the purchase has been made possible through a combination of foresight and community generosity. A significant bequest from the late Chuck Woods, described during the meeting by Linda Bassham, provided a foundation. That support has been bolstered by a newly launched capital campaign, which has already raised approximately $60,000 and continues to grow.
The new space promises more than permanence. It represents possibility. The facility will house the Center’s offices, meeting rooms, and program space for its many affiliated groups, while also welcoming allied organizations from across the community. It will soon become home to treasured resources like the 1,500-volume Audre Lorde Memorial Library, further anchoring the Center’s role as both a cultural and community hub.
Additional opportunities are already emerging. Simone Chriss spoke about a potential grant that could support shared use of the space with Camp Silver, expanding the building’s reach and impact even further.
Despite the weight of the decision and the challenges ahead, the atmosphere at the meeting was defined by unity, purpose, and pride. In a remarkably short time frame, the Center has moved from uncertainty to ownership, transforming a moment of vulnerability into one of vision.
Once renovations are complete and the doors officially open, the 10th Avenue building will stand not just as a structure, but as a symbol of resilience, community investment, and a future defined by having a place to truly call home.
How you can help: To help us cross the finish line and fund these vital renovations, please consider making a contribution to our capital campaign. Every dollar brings us closer to opening our doors. You can find the Pride Center Building Fund at: tinyurl.com/Iguana2480. And if you have trade skills (plumbing, electrical, carpentry) and would like to volunteer your time, please contact us at director_dex@gainesvillepride.org.