GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - City commissioners voted to tear down the Thelma A. Boltin Center because repairs would be too expensive.

“It shows the community they don’t care,” shared Historic Preservation Activist Melanie Barr.

Gainesville city commissioners voted 6 to 1 to demolish the historic Thelma A. Boltin Center, with Desmon Duncan-Walker in dissent.

“I really do want to explore either the idea of Friends of Thelma Boltin, another nonprofit, whoever, literally having the opportunity to salvage the space,” said Duncan-Walker. “But also having the time to generate the money.”

“And Thelma Boltin never married or had kids, so this is her legacy. But this just disregarded all of that and said it’s in bad condition,” Barr shared.

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