Three county projects get help from the state
The Florida State Fire College, whose rescue tower is shown in the middle of their campus, poisoned the wells of nearby homes in Lowell, Florida with the fire retardant foam the firefighters train with. For the past several years, residents have been drinking bottled water and waiting for filtration systems. [Alan Youngblood/Special to the Ocala Gazette]
Marion County government has announced that three local projects have received appropriations from this past legislative session.
Lowell Municipal Drinking Water Project: Requested $2.5 million, received $1 million
This area has contaminated soil, making it difficult for area residents who rely on wells to trust the safety of their water supply. The contamination comes from chemicals that have been used at the nearby Florida State Fire College.
The county received $3.5 million in the last session for planning and designing a potable water system that would provide clean drinking water to the citizens within the area as well as the State Fire College and nearby state-run prisons. However, the county needs to install a 12-inch water line over 6.73 miles to deliver the water. The initial estimate was an additional $7 million, but that is expected to rise significantly.
Stacie Causey, a spokesperson for Marion County, indicated that “this estimate is somewhat outdated with the rise in material and labor costs, as well as an expansion of the original project area. The project’s current estimated is $10 million.”
“The project has also been awarded a $1.25-million principal forgiveness loan through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the State Revolving Fund; the agreement was on the agenda for the county commission meeting on July 1,” Causey added.
The funding received thus far will move the project into “the planning and design phase,” she said.
Roadway and utility improvements on NW 49th Street from NW 70th Avenue to NW 44th Avenue. Requested and received the full $2 million appropriation
The county said the estimated cost of a roadway improvement totals $30 million and that On Top of the World and the World Equestrian Center are both contributing their proportionate share of the funding for the four-lane corridor that would allow residents to move north and south without having to enter Interstate 75.
Total cost for NW 49th Street – Phase 3 project is estimated to be $27.4 million, including the roadway, water and sewer utilities. The planning and design stage is almost finished, according to a statement from the Office of County Engineer, at a cost of $1.1 million.
“Right-of-way is being acquired and is estimated at approximately $8.2 million,” according to the statement.
County officials anticipate starting construction in early 2026 and completing it by summer 2027.
Bradford-Ma Barker House – Requested $950,000, granted $237,500
The home where the most prolonged FBI shootout occurred when agents confronted the gangster Ma Barker and her son Fred was moved to Carney Island Recreation and Conservation Area after the county received it as a gift from new property owners who did not want to preserve it.
County leaders were seeking help for infrastructure improvements and site preparation for additional buildings, including an interpretive center that complies with ADA requirements.
According to Causey, “The county is exploring the option of submitting another appropriations request for the upcoming session to close the gap.”
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