Orange Co. leaders discuss cleanup for Bithlo dumpsite

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County leaders met with Bithlo residents to discuss how a hazardous dump will be cleaned.

The county is considering declaring the area known as "Mount Trashmore" a brownfield, which would clear the way to get federal money to clean it up.

The property has been considered an eyesore and an environmental concern for decades. The county assessed fines of $250 a day for 20 years without a penny collected and no cleanup ever started.

"It would be a good idea to clean it up, but it's not going to get done," said Bithlo resident Onda Webb.

A brownfield designation would clear the way for tax credits and public funding to clean up the property.

When filmmakers blew up Orlando City Hall for one of the “Lethal Weapon” films, the remains were dumped at the site, along with tires, oil, gas and garbage.

"I want to be optimistic that this is finally progress toward getting this illegal dump cleaned up," said Bithlo Activist Tim McKinney.

Orange County leaders said the brownfield designation could come early next year and if that happens, the first order of business is determining if the property's owner is responsible for some or all of the cost of the cleanup.

WFTV