STARKE, Fla. — Immigration enforcement issues are taking a prominent role in Bradford County.

County commissioners have agreed to advance a proposal for a 3,000-bed ICE detention center along Highway 301 in Starke.

The proposed site for the detention facility, Douglas Warehouse, is situated adjacent to USA Vegetables and is across the street from a Walmart.

A First Coast News team spoke with local shoppers to get their opinions on the prospect of bringing significant activity to a long-vacant building.

 “I never really paid much attention to whether it was open or vacant,” said John Kenney while heading in to get groceries. 

A building that’s been out of the public eye for years could soon draw much more attention.

Bradford County Commissioners voted 3-2 Thursday to move forward with plans to turn what was once a surplus government warehouse into an ICE facility.

“I’m sure they’ll make sure it’s safe,” said Rick Bush. 

“I think it’s a great idea, as long as they get the right people and go through the right process,” said Mike Addison. 

Bradford County Commissioner Carolyn Spooner voted against the initial plan, proposing an area about 15 miles outside of Starke could be a better fit.

“My objection is the location because of its proximity to the residential area, to the businesses. It’s a congested area,” said Spooner. 

Spooner says a detention facility wasn’t what she had in mind for the space when the county gained ownership of the warehouse a few years ago.

“While it’s being occupied by ICE, we will receive no revenue from leasing it,” said Spooner. “The only benefit is how the building will be left for our use.”

Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith told county leaders the detention facility would create about 1200 jobs.

Spooner is hoping, at the very least, the initial vote to move forward will make people aware so they can express how they feel about it before anything is finalized.

“Most of the residents in the area had no idea about that, so I think we owe it to our residents to be transparent,” said Spooner. 

Nearby shoppers made one thing clear, ICE facility or not, it won’t keep them from grabbing their produce.

“It’s not going to deter us from coming here,” said Bush. 

“I doubt they’d put the worst of the worst there,” said Addison. 

“Wouldn’t be any more concerned about it than if it was by a prison or something,” said Chase Catalano. 

Spooner says now ICE will take a look at the plans from the consultants before sending it back to the county commission for final approval.