MAYOR’ S LETTER
~ STATE OF THE CITY ~ from the Mayor of the City of Live Oak
HURRICANE FREE ZONE!
In my 2025 State of the City report written in July’ 25, I recounted our having gone through three major hurricanes in thirteen months. Looking back at the 2025 Hurricane Season, I am grateful that we didn’ t have any major storms hit our area. It was business as usual and allowed us to catch up on some things and make progress in many areas.
FLORIDA CITY WEEK
We kicked off the fiscal year in 2025 with a celebration of Florida City Week. It is an annual statewide event organized by the Florida League of Cities where municipalities celebrate and engage residents in local government operations. Executive Director Danielle Hampton and assistant Madisen Cantella of the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce helped with the week’ s activities. Our first event was a goodwill luncheon on Monday October 20 between the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners and Live Oak City Council. It was a very productive time of bringing the governmental entities together to promote cooperation between the two. On Tuesday I accompanied the City Manager and Council members to Riverside Elementary to read to the students. We went to The Arc North Florida on Wednesday morning and visited their clients. We enjoyed fellowship and refreshments provided by T-Mobile. Thursday was“ Coffee with the Mayor” where Ms. Callie’ s 5th grade class quizzed the Mayor, City Clerk and City Manager about operations of city government. In addition to the above activities, Katherine Allen of IFAS sponsored a city-wide scavenger hunt which was a big hit. And finally, Avery Smith, a 6th grader won the FCW poster contest and was selected Mayor for the Day. She presided over the reading and presentation of our essay contest winners.
CITY GROWTH AND UPDATES
There were a number of Chamber ribbon cuttings this past year and new businesses opened. The following is a list of new and future businesses, renovations, and expansions in and around the city:
A Hampton Inn will be built just outside the city limits behind Zaxby’ s. A grant to the City of Live Oak was helpful in providing city utilities and infrastructure for the $ 20 + million project. We now have Eliano’ s north and a new Waffle House south of the city. The Pizza Hut Classic initiative remodel has been completed. The old Huffman and Gilmore buildings have been demolished making way for new development. Chik-fil-A just celebrated their first anniversary in Live
Oak.
New businesses on the north side are Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers, Tidal Wave car wash, 7-Brew Coffee. Several new homes have been built in Canyon Vistas( behind Publix). Yes, it is true! WaWa is coming to Live Oak, near Lowes. El Velero De Oro and café at 1416 South Ohio Ave is a major remodel( with CRA assistance) and Melody thrift store façade upgrade( assisted by CRA Grant).
New community buildings at John Hale Park, Douglass Center, and Special Needs Shelter on Goldkist Blvd will be finishing soon, as well as Douglass Center gym renovation.
A new subdivision near Railroad Ave with 20 new single-family homes is planned, new townhomes at the old Suwannee Pack location, and a new subdivision off of Nobles Ferry Road are in the planning stages.
El Caney Market opened at 1104 S. Ohio Avenue, Heritage square parking area is under construction, and potential office development near Palms Medical. Future space for Ivory Loft – Wedding dress store will be at 301 & 304 South Ohio Avenue next to courthouse.
A Circle K on the corner of Walker Avenue and US 90 is under review. Salsas( Mexican restaurant) & multi-tenant center on Ohio Avenue North is being planned.
GRANTS
The City of Live Oak was awarded two Community Development Block Grants( CDBG) as reported in last year’ s SOTC report. The housing rehabilitation grants will be available soon as Council is working out details now. For more information keep an eye on our website at www. cityofliveoak. org or call Yolanda at 386-362-2276. The second grant will allow us to add a third water well as a back up to our water system.
92 SUWANNEE CHAMBER IMPACT | 2026-2027