Land swap may affect location of fairgrounds

Land swap may affect location of fairgrounds

WASHINGTON — The state of Florida and the federal government would swap several parcels of land to both expand Apalachicola National Forest and potentially relocate the North Florida Fairgrounds, under legislation the House approved Wednesday.

Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Monticello, said the legislation approved on a 418 to 1 vote would enable the consolidation of what is now a patchwork of federal and state lands. In particular, officials aim for economic development of a parcel along U.S. 319.

“The interchange of these lands is a win-win for North Florida by helping bolster environmental protection and local economic development in our area,” Boyd said.

The Senate must still consider the legislation.

The legislation directs the secretary of agriculture to give the state land within the Blackwater River and Withlacoochee state forests that the federal government held restrictions on, according to a Congressional Research Service summary.

The legislation also provides for a land swap of some state and federal lands in the Ocala and Apalachicola national forests. And the bill calls for the conveyance of the 114-acre tract in Leon County.

“This legislation brings the county one step closer to relocating the North Florida Fairgrounds and redeveloping the current site on South Monroe Street, which is essential to the revitalization of the south side of town,” said Bob Rackleff, chairman of the Leon County Commission.