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Work is beginning on the expansion of Hwy 79, but could progress destroy one small town? The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is starting Phase 1 of a four-laning project in Ebro, but the long-term plan runs the highway through the small town of Vernon, where residents are already concerned.
“Plowing through it and tearing it down,” said 9-year resident Portia Green, “You got to face reality that it is coming.”
Green raised 3 children in her home next to the state road. Her sister lives across the future 4-lane highway.
“I grew up here and I like it and I like the neighborhood,” she said, “and it’s just comfortable.”
She’s one of many residents wondering what their future holds, as plans have the highway running through their front yards.
“There’s basically not going to be a Vernon,” she said, “you just drive through.”
Other residents like Lawayne McDonald have already made arrangements for the drastic change.
“I plan on relocating. I have some land down in Ebro so I’ll be clearing it and moving in down there,” he said, “I think it’ll be good for the town, it’ll bring a lot of business in and more things going on.”
Some business owners, however, don’t see the potential for progress. Vernon’s Main Street is now lined with vacant buildings and empty plots in anticipation of having to re-locate.
“The highway is going to be right here at my front door,” said restaurant owner Vickie Moore, “I’m all for progress but I think this is not going to be so good for me being a brand new business that I just opened up.”
Plans are not yet set in stone and the Vernon portion of the road is not included in FDOT’s 5-year design. They do not yet have the funding.
“I actually just hope that maybe they’ll change their plans and it will go to the other side,” said Moore.
Whether residents move, push their homes back, or just hope for the best, they all agree the town won’t be the same.
“I know that I can’t stop progress,” said Moore, “but I’m very attached to it.”
FDOT will continue to keep Vernon residents informed of all changes throughout the project. They are also offering assistance to those who may have to re-locate.
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So DOT is it’s infinite “wisdom” kills off another community. I remember years ago when Cottondale was a tourist stop known as Watermelon Alley. This small community had a reputation that was apparently well known outside of Florida because the roads were always packed with people stopping to buy there from the many small stands and businesses along Highway 231. Then came DOT and Cottondale lost big-time! All those beautiful big Oak trees were bulldozed down and the businesses were closed. Did DOT care? Not on your life! Why could they not have moved the road back a bit and made it a bypass for Cottondale? That would have saved the town’s unique character and still gave DOT it’s four lane highway. But bureaucrats never think that way. Now when you drive through Cottondale you see empty buildings where thriving businesses used to be. Poor Vernon will suffer even more because their whole town will go. Thanks, DOT! Talk about mindless waste!