BITHLO, Fla. — For more than 20 years, people living in Bithlo have had to deal with an illegal dump they've named "Mount Trashmore."
WFTV's Kristyn Caddell found out Florida Hospital is stepping in to turn the pile of trash into something that could actually help the community.
Bithlo residents said the two decades they've spent staring at the abandoned dump site is more than enough.
"It's kind of an eyesore, so if someone came in and did something it'd be great for the area," said business owner Steve Singer.
"It would bring jobs as well as fresh produce," said Verbe Lee Nielsen-Swanson of Florida Hospital.
There is finally a vision in the making for the 7-acre site. What is now swampland, could soon take shape as an urban farm.
"We believe that this is a real opportunity to bring economic impact to the community, as well as provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the residents," said Nielsen-Swanson.
It has been 22 years since officials said the site was hazardous.
"We believe that it's very doable and that there are a lot of technologies out there to be able to clean up areas," said Nielsen-Swanson.
Florida Hospital has already stepped in as a partner on the project and also committed to purchasing the goods.
"We prepare hundreds of thousands of meals to feed our patients and employees," said Nielsen-Swanson.
There are still some hurdles, such as getting funding for clean up, and the county holds the key to making the idea a reality.
WFTV
