CFK Presses Ahead With Big Pine Key Expansion Plans
County claims no significant environmental impacts near Key deer habitat, environmentalists disagree.
The College of the Florida Keys is continuing its effort to expand workforce training and educational opportunities at a yet-to-be-developed campus site on Big Pine Key, outlining potential programs while emphasizing environmental safeguards as environmental advocates raise concerns about potential impacts near Key deer habitat.
The proposed expansion would repurpose the former Big Pine Key prison grounds for a mix of workforce and educational uses, including a marine aquaculture facility, shared community spaces, construction apprenticeships, Commercial Driver’s License training and vehicle training for law enforcement. College officials say the programs are intended to allow residents of the Florida Keys to pursue in-demand certifications close to home rather than traveling to the mainland.
The college first presented concepts for the site in 2019 at a Monroe County Commission meeting and held two community meetings in Big Pine Key in 2021 after leasing the property from the state. Since then, officials have pursued funding to support expanded programming in the Lower Keys.
“CFK is dedicated to partnering with our Florida Keys community,” said college President and CEO Dr. Jonathan Gueverra. “Our programs are geared to benefit our residents. This includes both economic prosperity and respecting what makes the Keys special.”
In 2023, the college was awarded a $2 million Housing and Urban Development grant to support the project. Before the funds can be accessed, a federally required environmental review must be completed. HUD designated Monroe County as the responsible entity for conducting the review and overseeing a public comment period, which closed Jan. 2.
In a notice published Dec. 18, the county concluded that “the project will have no significant impact on the human environment.” Environmental advocates, however, have disputed that conclusion, citing concerns about increased traffic, vehicle activity and development pressure near habitat used by the endangered Key deer and other wildlife.
College officials have said the site is not within the boundaries of the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge and that the perimeter fence has been replaced to secure the property and keep wildlife outside the campus area.
Under Florida law, the college is exempt from obtaining Monroe County building permits for development on the site. Any construction, however, must still comply with the county’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code governing use, density and intensity. County officials are expected to review proposed plans to ensure consistency with those requirements.
Two of the most closely watched potential programs — CDL training and law enforcement vehicle training — are framed by the college as responses to workforce demand across the Keys. Utilities, public works departments, schools, tourism operators and other employers require CDL-certified drivers, while law enforcement agencies often send recruits to the mainland for tactical vehicle training.
The college already administers CDL tests in the Lower Keys, with testing routes running from Rockland Key through Key West. Law enforcement vehicle training, officials said, could save agencies several days of travel time and lodging costs associated with mainland courses.
The size and mix of vehicles used for CDL instruction would be based on local demand and could include buses, garbage trucks, school buses, construction vehicles and tractor-trailers. Most training would occur in classrooms and on site, with road training following routes already used by commercial vehicles serving the Keys.
“The college prioritizes safety and will work with the community to mitigate traffic concerns,” Gueverra said.
College officials said the scope and timing of future programs will depend on workforce needs and available funding. CFK plans to continue outreach to stakeholders, address concerns raised during the public comment process and share additional details as plans advance.