Southeast Gainesville residents demand closure of Florence Landfill

Press release from Respect Southeast Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Residents from Southeast Gainesville who live in close proximity to the Florence Landfill gathered for the Dump the Dump Neighborhood Landfill Meeting on April 27 at the TB McPherson Center. Hosted by Respect Southeast Gainesville and co-sponsored by the Sierra Club Suwannee-St. Johns Group, the meeting brought together 45 concerned neighbors to voice their objections to the Florence Landfill and demand action.

Attendees expressed frustration over the numerous negative impacts of the landfill, which is directly adjacent to schools, homes, parks, and churches. These impacts range from lingering rotten egg odors, disruptive noise pollution, dust, and well water contamination, to large heavy truck traffic on a narrow main road. Due to frequent heavy truck traffic, the main road is compromised with numerous potholes.

The Southeast Gainesville community has long borne the brunt of the landfill’s operations. Barbara Gaither, an impacted resident, lamented, “We can’t open our windows, and the trucks are so loud it sounds like thunder.”

A neighbor who requested anonymity echoed these sentiments, noting the dire state of the neighborhood’s infrastructure: “Because of the heavily damaged roads, we don’t get to own nice things here in Southeast Gainesville.”

Another neighbor struck a chord with her impassioned plea: “Where do the Florences live? The dump should be in their own neighborhood.”

The meeting also shed light on the landfill’s history, including the 1994 Special Use Permit (SUP) that explicitly stated it was to be operated temporarily with the intent to close the site and rezone the land for residential use. However, recent legislative maneuvers, including a questionable extension granted by the Governor’s office, have perpetuated the landfill’s presence in the community.

In a pivotal moment during a 2023 Board of County Commissioners meeting, Alachua County Solid Waste Director Gus Olmos revealed the County would have two decades of construction and demolition (C&D) debris disposal capacity with the Florence landfill closed – further calling into question the need for operating a C&D dump in a residential neighborhood.

In light of these developments, residents and government officials alike have recognized the importance of implementing Zero Waste Strategies and prioritizing sustainable waste management practices. Specifically, Florida Statute Section 403.706(2) underscores the state’s commitment to recycling construction and demolition debris, signaling a clear mandate for change.

As calls for action echo throughout Southeast Gainesville, neighbors implore the Florences to expand recycling efforts, prioritize deconstruction over demolition, and ultimately “RIGHT THIS WRONG! DUMP THE DUMP! Close the dump in our neighborhood now!”

For more information and ways to help, visit RespectSoutheastGainesville.org

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