The proposed toll road, to be known as the Central Polk Parkway, has seen much discussion in recent weeks after a pair of public meeting were held to discuss the four proposed routes in the Lake Wales area. At this time, the final route has yet to be determined.
What if it’s your home the government needs in order to make the final plan work?
That’s what Lake Wales resident, Ellery Farmer, is wondering and worried about.
The new road could run from SR 60 on the west side of Lake Wales to connect to 17-92. A planned Poinciana Connector segment would link 17-92 directly to I-4. The route is seen as a way to alleviate traffic on the crowded, six-lane US 27 corridor.
Currently, there are four proposed routes. Eminent domain, the power of the government to legally take ownership of private property for public use in Florida, would secure the area needed for the new roadway. The government is mandated to then compensate the owner for the property.
Farmer’s property, located on Farmer Slocum Road in Lake Wales, is in the path of both plans B and C. This land has been in the family for some time and is home to more than just he and his spouse.
“My wife and I own 145 acres with multiple houses,” says Farmer. “Plus the property around us that my family owns. My father in one. His mother in one. Aunts, uncles and cousins live in two others. There is also two houses that I rent to two young couples just getting started in life.”
He initially found out about the proposal from a letter he received from the Florida Department of Transportation, just after Christmas, 2024. Farmer says this is the only direct communication he’s had with a government entity with regard to the matter.
When asked what his initial reaction to the letter was, his response was simple: “Despair.”
According to Farmer, there has been no communication from FDOT since receiving the letter in December. There was a contact email in the communication, to which he responded.
“I have emailed [email protected] with no response,” says Farmer.
The family says the potential involuntary loss of the property clears goes well beyond a real estate deal.
“One of the cousins said when he was young, ‘It’s not just a life style, it’s a legacy.’ (Proposed routes) B or C would make us homeless with no place to go,” Farmer says.
While he appreciates the intent of the new toll road, Farmer says a lot to consider beyond the loss of homes.
“I understand the need, but the Ridge is too valuable to be chopped up for a road…(Hwy.) 27 sucks but it’s the problem of the government allowing expansion without planning. They always try to fix the problem after they created it.”
To date, there has been no discussion or communication with Farmer on potential compensation for his property, or steps forward in the decision-making process of selecting a path. No matter what the final decision is, Farmer says that feeling of despair he has about his own land goes well beyond his property line:
“There used to be talk about preserving the Ridge and how valuable it was, but that just went away. I feel like we have done our part and now we need help to continue.”
