Projects in the, Suncoast Parkway/SR 589 and SR 54 Interchange Improvements, Suncoast Parkway/SR 589 Resurfacing Project, Widen Turnpike, Minneola Interchange to US 27, Turnpike Widening from Clermont to Minneola, Turnpike Widening from Minneola to O'Brien Road, Southbound Mainline Reconstruct & Safety Improvements, CV Deployment Florida's Turnpike/SR 91, Beachline EXPY/SR 528, Beachline Expressway Replacing Road Signs, SR 528 to SR A1A, Daniel Webster Western Beltway/SR 429 Resurfacing, Turnpike Resurfacing & Improvements MP 265 to MP 269, Turnpike Improvements from Beachline EXPY to I-4, Turnpike Resurfacing & Improvements, MP 260 to MP 265, Poinciana Parkway Extension Connector PD&E, Widen Turnpike from Partin Settlement RD to Osceola PKWY, Truck Parking at Canoe Creek Service Plaza, Widen Turnpike from Kissimmee Park Rd. However, he said the development did not surprise him. SFL Wrong-Way Detection Tech Implementation Project, Turnpike Resurfacing Project, Indiantown Road to Becker Road, Turnpike Interchange Improvements, PD&E at Glades Road. It then heads north and curves west across SR40 and U.S. 41 and then heads southwest to U.S. 19 just north of Yankeetown. STAFF LOGIN, 'Why do we have to fix the problems when theyre not ours to begin with? "This is the beginning of the early stages of this process," Stake said on Tuesday. Also in attendance on Tuesdaywas Michael McGrath, a spokesman for the "No Roads to Ruin Coalition." North A and North B routes (red and blue) impact southwest Marion County more than Central and South (yellow . With construction looming, she and others fear their natural havens will be lost forever. Earlier this year, state lawmakers eliminated a toll road proposed for southern Florida. State to halt plans for Northern Turnpike Extension. ACCESS Oklahoma Newsletter sent out to property owners in the vicinity of the corridor. Your access to this service has been limited. Why do we have to fix the problems when theyre not ours to begin with?. The neighborhood is one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in the state with more than 150 years of history and community. This extension was "a disastrous idea when it was proposed in 2019 under the M-CORES banner, and it remains so today," the release stated. The extension proposal is still in its developing phases. In the meantime, residents are still rallying for the no build option, which scraps all construction plans. Bryant said the commission has been "inundated with emails" about thematter, and noted that while commissioners serve countywide, they also represent districts and her district, which is No. Mike Wright is a former reporter with the Citrus County Chronicle, where he had covered county government and politics since 1987. By, Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance program, Eli Lilly cuts the price of insulin, capping drug at $35 per month out-of-pocket, A proposal would expand Florida's controversial education law on teaching about sexual orientation, LGBTQ+ youth are less likely to feel depressed with parental support, study says, Mail-in ballots change for Tampa city elections, TikTok sets a new default screen-time limit for teen users, China's Xi heralds 'unbreakable' friendship with Belarus, an ally of Russia, 3 abortion bans in Texas leave doctors 'talking in code' to pregnant patients, Psychologist Daniel Levitin dissects Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon', A northern extension of the Florida Turnpike is moving ahead, despite public opposition, No New Florida Toll Roads After DeSantis Agrees To Scrap Plan, Florida Senate Scales Back Toll Road Plan, Including Suncoast Parkway Extension, Florida Turnpike Eyes Changes After SunPass Troubles. Its the fastest and most efficient way to get from point A to point B, Hilton said. to Okeechobee Rd. Related: Norman Residents Strongly Oppose Turnpike Expansion Plan In Tense Town Hall Meeting. SR 9/I-95 south of SR 870/Commercial Boulevard to north of Cypress Creek Road Interchanges. Levi, 67, and Willard, 57, live near each other on County Road 23 but if the development happens, the brothers will be separated from their 90-year-old mother, and two of their aunts, 97 and 100, who live on the other side of the road. Royala neighborhood just west of Wildwood in Sumter County could be cut in half if the proposed Northern Turnpike Extension plan moves forward. The post Proposed extension to Florida turnpike puts Black community in jeopardy appeared first on TheGrio. Ruthie Davis Schlabach. The news, first reported Wednesday evening on the Just Wright Citrusblog, is a major victory for environmental groups and local governments in Citrus, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties that fought against four proposed routes connecting the turnpike at Wildwood to the Suncoast Parkway. The state apparently believes that terminus is U.S. 19 between Crystal River and Chiefland. Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. Instead, the state will concentrate on improving Interstate 75. There [are] vital agricultural economies that are present there that would be impacted by these toll roads.. There were no formal discussions. Both Citrus and Levy counties are also in the proposed Suncoast M-CORES corridor. https://t.co/wz5Ejjcbwf. Mike Wright's Just Wright Citrus blog in Citrus County, We don't want northern turnpike extension, We 'cannot support' proposed Florida Turnpike routes, State gently taps brakes on timeline for possible northern extension of Florida's Turnpike, when the state announced it would extend the timeline, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Use exit markers and travel plaza markers to navigate to that exit's page. . Northern Turnpike Extension. The Marion County Commission, on a 3-2 vote, declined to go that far, instead asking to have a seat at the table as the state reviewed options. In a press release issued Wednesday . The state, however, is not closing the door entirely on a turnpike extension. . Milestones will be added as project progresses. Box 613069 Florida's three proposed toll roads are not necessary, lawmakers have decided. Massullo, a Lecanto Republican, said FDOT will continue to study ways to move travelers about. The M-CORES task force said it didnt have enough information to determine whether the turnpike should be extended or not. It also noted that "It is no surprise that of nearly 10,000 comments submitted to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regarding proposed M-CORES toll routes, 93% were opposed.". Michael McGrath, an organizer and representative for No Roads to Ruin and Sierra Club Florida, said the extension presents significant threats to Floridas wildlife and natural resources. Morriston, a census-designated place in Levy County, offered her and 120 others that quiet oasis. FDOT's Northern Turnpike Extension Arc GIS tool: FDOT's ETDM (Efficient Transportation Decision Making) website now has info on the Northern Turnpike Extension for Marion, Sumter, and Levy counties showing proposed routes which (no surprise to us) ignore the M-CORES Task Force recommendations. The route will link I-44 (near the Blanchard, Newcastle and Tuttle areas) at State Highway 37 east through I-35 which will continue east along Indian Hills Road. Engineering teams assigned to specific projects throughout the program to begin preliminary design and necessary studies of the corridor. Interoperability Florida s Turnpike Map Of Florida Turnpike Map Of Florida Turnpike - If you're planning to visit this Sunshine State, you'll need an Map of Florida. (HTTP response code 503). The latest news and how to stay informed. PUBLISHED 4:10 PM ET Apr. The route would crossState Road 40 and then head west into Levy County, skirting the Goethe State Forest. Senate Bill (SB) 100 (2021), codified in section 339.66(6), Florida Statutes directs FDOT to commence the PD&E Study for the Northern Turnpike Extension. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is an executive agency, which means it reports directly to the Governor. Floridas Turnpike Resurfacing Project from MP 112 to MP 118, Turnpike AET, Lantana Toll Plaza to Three Lakes Toll Plaza, Central & West Central Florida DMS & CCTV Camera Installation. ACCESS Long-Range Bond Program Announced. February 2, 2022 Agriculture, Rural equity, Transportation. PublishedDecember 8, 2021 at 5:00 AM EST. Pursuant to SB 100, however, the Florida Department of Transportation continued planning for the Northern Turnpike Extension segment of M-CORES through Citrus, Levy, Marion . FDOTs initial studies showed four potential routes. Florida's Turnpike Enterprise hada large staff on hand tocordially listento residents and showthem charts and graphson easels. Residents have been pushing for an extension of the Florida Turnpikewhich is needed to lessen traffic on Interstate 75, that would not come through Royal citing, "the adverse impact on the . The Florida Department of Transportation is planning a turnpike extension with one of the proposed routes coming close to this resource. Joslyn Seefeldt lives on about 28 acres of land in Morriston, a rural exurb in Levy County. "Our state roads are already so unkempt," she noted. The topic was not on the commission's agenda for Tuesday; rather, the issue was raised by several residents during public comment. Update #1) Northern Turnpike Extension FDOT meetings: FDOT's ETDM (Efficient Transportation Decision Making) website now has info on the Northern Turnpike Extension for Marion, Sumter, and Levy counties showing proposed routes which (no surprise to us) ignore the M-CORES Task Force recommendations. If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site, please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send". In 2019, despite major opposition from 1000 Friends and others, the Florida Legislature passed SB 7068 creating the Florida M-CORES project which authorized new toll roads extending 330 miles from the Panhandle to Collier County through some of the state's finest remaining rural lands. Marion officials vowed it would cripplethe horse industry. WUSF 89.7 depends on donors for the funding it takes to provide you the most trusted source of news and information here in town, across our state, and around the world. Much of the feedback received from local communities during the ACE study recommended reviewing and prioritizing solutions for the I-75 corridor as part of the overall process.". Dan and Linda Evans stood in the large lobby of CF's Levy campus building and shared how one of the routes, dubbed Alternate Corridor North A, would come close to their Levy home in Steeplechase Farms subdivision in Morriston. The legislation requires the Florida Department of Transportation to have a turnpike extension plan that includes a "logical and appropriate terminus" by December 2022. Commissioner Bryant originally sought faster action, suggesting the commission ask FDOT to follow the M-CORES task force's previous recommendations, which would protect Marion County. The first approved route is called the Tri-City Connector. Source: Beverly Steele. The route will then connect with I-40 and go north on the Kickapoo Turnpike. The region and local community should be assured that as we continue to refine and develop viable corridor concepts for this area, it will include extensive engagement with community leaders and the community as a whole.. One of the discussions from Monday night's Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was whether to allow a wedding venue to continue offering glamping (glamorous camping) on an 8-acre farm in southwest Marion County near Marion Oaks. The Florida Department of Transportation mapfor the proposed turnpike extension shows routesstretching from where it ends nearWildwood northwest to, or near,where the Suncoast Highway (Florida 589) is expected to connect toU.S. 19 north ofInglis. Ocoee, FL 34761-3069. Sistrunk is Fort Lauderdales oldest Black community, one comprised of working families, mom-and-pop small businesses, historic churches, and landmarks. The third toll road is a proposed 30-mile extension of Florida's Turnpike from where it connects to Interstate 75 near Wildwood to the expanding Suncoast Parkway, a roadway expected to ease travel . Packed house: In Dunnellon, a resounding no for Florida's proposed northern turnpike extension Directions & Map, 1996 - 2020 Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182 If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1 (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 955-8770 (voice). 2, covers west Marion, where the road would run. Citrus County Commissioner Ruthie Davis Schlabach, who opposed the turnpike extension through Citrus, said she was pleased to see FDOT remove those routes off the table. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. OTA placed all work on the ACCESS program on pause. June 8, 2022. Residents had no microphones to speak their minds. M-CORES. Widen Turnpike PD&E, Indiantown Rd. The route would impact properties in Royal as well as other areas of Citrus, Levy, Marion, and Sumter counties, according to WFUT. Mike also helped the Chronicle win the Frances Devore Award for Public Service in 2002. The Florida Department of Transportation is . "If built, this extension would destroy large swaths of Floridas last remaining rural lands, threaten waterways with pollution, endanger iconic wildlife, disrupt farmlands, and promote unsustainable sprawl," the release stated. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media. The "South" route bringsthe turnpike west through Sumter County along power line right of way along State Road 44 and then turns north of Invernessand connects to Central plan and heads west to just north of Crystal River. This is where I was supposed to be living my entire life, Seefeldt said. To Contact Maps and Publications. "It's a win for the people, farms and critters!" Still, he is willing to have the discussion just not so soon. See this map in color with this story at www.RiverlandNews.com. The third route, also known as the South Extension Turnpike, connects the East-West Connector to I-35 near Purcell. CHIEFLAND If the Florida Department of Transportation and the state legislature were dentists, there is no doubt they have hit a nerve during theirresearch mission toextendthe Florida Turnpike to the northwest, from Wildwood to U.S. 19. It appears state officials have heeded the anti-extension message for now. A no-build vote by local communities does not completely remove the possibility of continuing the project. It will crossSR200just north of Withlacoochee River. News of the impending meeting even led to an impromptu discussion earlier in the day at the Marion County Commission meeting. Residents have been pushing for an extension of the Florida Turnpikewhich is needed to lessen traffic on Interstate 75, that would not come through Royal citing, "the adverse impact on the . You can opt-out at any time. 407-264-3802. Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL. During thatconversation, Commissioner Michelle Stonetalked about how the turnpike could help with traffic congestion in southwest Marion, while Commissioner Kathy Bryant said she does not want it at all in Marion. Its proposed route ran . One had"Not This" printed on top of an enlargedStar-Banner photograph of Interstate 75 traffic. "Why build another one when theyhaven't maintained I-75?". SR 9/I-95 at SR 842/Broward Boulevard Interchange. The extension, if built, is expected to bring the turnpike from its current northern terminus at Interstate 75 in . Related: New Routes For Turnpikes Could Be Up For Final Vote Monday. Box 613069 Polk Parkway. ETAT input helped to determine the feasibility of a proposed project and focus the analysis of the ACE. Opponents say there is little need for the toll road and it would destroy some of the last remaining rural areas north of Tampa Bay. Joe Callahan can be reached at 352-867-4113 or atjoe.callahan@starbanner.com. FDOT's primary statutory responsibility is to coordinate the planning and development of a safe, viable, and balanced state transportation system serving all regions of the . to US 192. By Heather Bushman. Another study deciding between the four alternative route proposals is expected to conclude by the spring of next year. Hes a 58-year-old Dunnellon resident and driver for Brook Ledge Horse Transportation who frequently travels through Ocala on the road. May 19, 2022 7:00 am. On January 18th, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation denied OTAs application to cross two sections of its property with the South Extension Turnpike, citing that it does not meet the Congressionally authorized purposes for the land. "It (the proposed extension) doesn't have to come through Marion County," Bryant said. Sawgrass Expressway. Florida Department of Transportation, ALERT : Mainline Converts to Electronic Toll Collection, The Featured Projects are listed by region and then by county within each region. a toll road to link that pointless Suncoast Parkway extension to I-75. Widen Turnpike from Campbell Dr. to Tallahassee Rd. ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - The Florida Communities Trust's governing board unanimously approved a request Wednesday to expand the Osceola County Parkway through . The meeting had an open house format. Jeff Arms is the program manager for the Turnpike Authority. Three of the four proposed routes go through Marion . Residents gathered this week at New Life Center Ministries. OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Marion County Commissioners heard from concerned residents Tuesday on a proposed FDOT project that could go through north central Florida. In that release, DOTSecretary Jared W. Perdue is quoted as saying: The goal of every project is to ensure all needs are met, environmental concerns are addressed, and community characteristics are protected. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. The Department deeply values community input and is committed to thoroughly exploring all concerns received during this process.". One major problem is that many residents living outside Quail Meadow speed through the neighborhood. Southern Connector Extension. Much of the feedback received from local communities during the ACE study recommended reviewing and prioritizing solutions for the I-75 corridor as part of the overall process. . The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed the Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) Study for the Northern Turnpike Extension without recommending a specific corridor and has submitted a Project Development Status Report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in compliance with Florida Law. No word yet on when construction on these routes will begin. DeSantis demands answers on Pine Hills shooting suspects criminal history, Exploring Tampa City Councilmember Lynn Hurtaks ties to Democratic Socialists, No. The Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance Program, or M-CORES, was . "I was gratified," Inverness Mayor Bob Plaisted said Wednesday night. Phone: (727) 642-3162 All three counties have indicated in their Future Land Use Maps (FLUM) support rural land uses. Tags: are there exits on . North B route skirts to the west of Marion Oaks and passes near the intersection of SR200 and County Road 484. TALLAHASSEE - The state Department of Transportation has paused plans to extend Florida's Turnpike northwest from Wildwood after four potential routes . The state is putting the brakes on the Northern Turnpike Extension, concluding that it makes better sense to make improvements to Interstate 75 than build a new corridor through rural communities. FDOT remains committed to promoting and preserving Floridas environmental quality, community values, and economic prosperity in support of implementing the Departments programs and projects. Theres going to have to be an east-west connector in the central part of the state, he said. St. Petersburg, Florida 33704. Four separate proposals would extend the Florida Turnpike through rural land in Citrus, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties. McGrath said two of the proposed routes through Marion County could damage Floridas aquifer recharge zone in the Rainbow River, and routes through Citrus County could harm the Crystal River Estuary and Kings Bay. 17 on the list of Tampa Bays Most Powerful Politicians: Luis Viera. Widen Sawgrass from Oakland Park Blvd to Atlantic Blvd, Turnpike Resurfacing, I-595 to Pompano Beach Service Plaza, Turnpike Extension Widening, I-75 to Florida's Turnpike, Turnpike Resurfacing, MP 47 to MP 48 & Extension Ramps, Sawgrass and Atlantic Blvd Interchange Improvements Project, Golden Glades Toll Plaza to the Broward County. The bill calls for extending the turnpike west from Wildwood toward the Suncoast Parkway and running the Suncoast Parkway north by linking it with U.S. 19. FLORIDA'S LARGEST HIGHWAY EXPANSION IN OVER 60 YEARS. Widen Sawgrass from University Dr. to SR 7. The route would travel through North . Construction projects are those currently being built throughout the state. FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue said the agency will partner with communities on any movement forward. She said the turnpike project was based on "greed, not need.". By Michael D. Bates Chronicle Reporter. As previously reported by theGrio, a proposed $450 million bridge development would cut through a different historic Black community near Fort Lauderdale. "The project study area includes Citrus, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties," he said. #5315 "And byidentifyingthose corridors will allow us to figure out which one might be best to move to the PDprocess," she said. Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. However, it did recommend expanding traffic capacity on existing roadways, such as I-75 and U.S. 27, to achieve the same goal without building additional roadways. Theyre making a billion dollars, and they dont give us chump change, another Royal resident, Larry Lawson said. The Northern Turnpike Extension project is a proposed extension of Florida's Turnpike "from its northerly terminus in Wildwood to a logical and appropriate terminus as determined by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)" per Senate Bill (SB) 100 (2021), codified in section 339.66(6), Florida Statutes. Work commenced on a two phase $507 million project in Summer 1998. Stewart Leland and his wife, Karen, also walked around the campus looking at signs. Arms said those reports will be taken into consideration. "The project is early in the planning phase, and is following the Florida Department of Transportation alternative corridor evaluation process.". The bill creates three toll road corridors, including extending the Suncoast Parkway from Citrus County to Georgia and connecting the Florida Turnpike to the parkway. On Tuesday, and again Thursday night at CF's Citrus County campus in Lecanto, residents filled out, or will be able tofill out, comment cards for researchers to read. 2023 www.ocala.com. What really moved the FDOT was votes from the various County Commissions, Rep. Potential Florida Turnpike extension threatens rural land. CHIEFLAND - If the Florida Department of Transportation and the state legislature were dentists, there is no doubt they have hit a nerve during their research mission to extend the Florida . The plan was abandoned a few years laterafter local officials pushed back. A child stands in a tobacco field in the Royal community during the 1950s. In 2021, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 100 to repeal the 2019 M-CORES toll road mandate that ordered the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to begin construction on three new turnpikes in 2023. The $140 million already allocated for the project will be spent on other projects and expenses instead. A report summarizing the status of the PD&E must be submitted to the Governor of Florida, President of the Florida Senate, and Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives by December 31, 2022. McGrath said this is not only concerning for local waterways and wildlife, but also for lifestyle in rural communities. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright by Extensive-Enterprises 2023. This highway expansion is the largest expansion since the mid-1950's. https://t.co/TVqWOW8ZZK. Arms said those reports will be taken into consideration. Environmentalists, who were joined by former governors Charlie Crist and Bob Graham in opposing the plan, said they will continue to wage "war" against the toll roads, which . an extension of Florida's Turnpike to meet the Suncoast and a new route between Polk and Collier counties, long . Although Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) was technically repealed by SB 100 last legislative session, not all of the threats were vanquished chief among them the proposed Northern Turnpike Extension," the joint statement noted. Seefeldt, a 61-year-old retired farrier, or a horseshoe craftsman, spent two years searching for the perfect place to relocate from her home in Milton, Wisconsin. Northeast Pinellas Highway, and Bi-County Expressway to the south, and the Tampa/Jacksonville Turnpike, Florida Turnpike Extension, and US 98 to the north. 407-532-3999 sharing the stories, pictures and loves of Oklahomans across our great state. 99 in the PDF below. But his phone was blowing up Wednesday evening during a regularly scheduled Dunnellon City Council workshop, so he knew something big was happening. Despite the cost of tolls, he said he recognizes their convenience. Contracts executed for the following firms to begin engineering design on the second priority East-West Connector projects: Contracts executed for the following firms to begin engineering design: A series of four public meetings were hosted by OTA to discuss the new alignments in the ACCESS program. Much of the feedback received from local communities during the study recommended reviewing and prioritizing solutions for the I-75 corridor as part of the overall process. The goal of every project is to ensure all needs are met, environmental concerns are addressed, and community characteristics are protected. Trucks are frightful on the road speeding and weaving and dropping things off onto highway. Home sales: Soaring home prices mean townhomes will be new 'American dream'. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials began contacting elected officials in the four counties by phone this week in anticipation of a formal announcement in the coming days. Mostly Levy residents attended Tuesday's event north of Chiefland, Marioncommission has short turnpike discussion and decides to revisit issue later this month, Three of four proposed routes pass through SW Marion County, SR 200 corridor to get another traffic light, this time at Southwest 80th Street, The Marion County roads with the highest traffic counts, UF Health purchases property in south Marion County, Marion poised to gain 5 million more square feet of warehouse space, SW infill development approved; duplexes near Belleview denied, Soaring home prices mean townhomes will be new 'American dream', Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The extension from the East-West Connector south to I-35 near Purcell expands the mobility of the southeast Oklahoma City metro by providing greater access to local communities. Seefeldt, a 61-year-old retired farrier, or a horseshoe craftsman, spent two years searching for the perfect place to relocate from . Mike Wright August 4, 2022 5 min. The Featured Projects are listed by region and then by county within each region. The study area extends from Floridas Turnpikes northerly terminus in Wildwood to a logical and appropriate terminus as determined by FDOT and includes Citrus, Levy, Marion, and Sumter counties. Three task forces met for several months, and from that FDOT decided to drop a pair of toll road ideas: Extending the Suncoast Parkway from Citrus County to Interstate 10, and the Southwest Central Florida Connector between Polk and Collier counties. Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 4 million WordPress sites. Here's a statement from the No Roads To Ruin Coalition, which was formed to oppose the toll roads: Another public information session is scheduled for this summer. People often use public roads through Quail Meadow to access Shops at Foxwood more quickly. Joslyn Seefeldt lives on about 28 acres of land in . Founded in response to the original M-CORES bill in 2019, the coalition aims to prevent construction from impeding on natural areas. 20, 2022. Controversial Florida's Turnpike extension meeting draws about 1,000 people. Citrus County. Board of County Commission Regular Meeting November 15, 2021; Posted November 17, 2021 Mike's skills as an investigative reporter earned him first-place awards in investigative writing. one woman wrote. Citizens groups, such as No Roads to Ruin, successfully lobbied county and municipal governments in the affected areas to issue no-build resolutions. Green Ops Group, based in Columbus, Ohio, is already renovating two other spaces in Ocala, according to city permit records. Kevin Sheilley, president and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership,said this development did not surprise him. Turkey Lake Service Plaza Project inquires can be mailed or emailed to: If you choose to provide feedback on this site or in an email, such information is a public record under Floridas Government in the Sunshine Laws and available for public inspection upon demand. The third route, also known as the South Extension Turnpike, connects the East-West Connector to I-35 near Purcell.