OTHER REQUESTS :
RECREATION
The City also supports Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program ( FRDAP ) funding that provides state funds for the acquisition or development of lands for public outdoor recreational use .
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Continued support of historic preservation funding sources to support interior stabilization and major restoration work to the recently relocated 1917 Peacock House and 1952 Lodge . With support of state funding , the structures were recently relocated to a City-owned park along the North Fork of the St . Lucie River . The structures were originally owned by the Peacock family of St . Lucie County that were involved in ranching and agriculture .
MARSHALL PARKWAY / I-95 INTERCHANGE STUDY
REQUEST : Support for study The Marshall Parkway / I-95 interchange is a future interchange that requires studies , state approval and designated funding . The City supports advancing funding to begin to evaluate the interchange from Tom Mackie Boulevard to the Interchange given the growing population and to centrally service one of the larger employment and industrial freight activity zones in the region .
LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT HIGH-PERFORMANCE PUBLIC SPACES
REQUEST : Expand grant eligibility to recreational elements such as trails and park amenities when acquiring land for infrastructure and stormwater projects and stormwater amenities for park projects in order to create high-performance public spaces that maximize public benefits and provide enhanced value to taxpayers .
BENEFIT :
• The implementation of High-Performance Public Spaces ( HPPS ), multifunctional spaces designed to deliver multiple public benefits simultaneously , is critical for addressing the strain on Port St . Lucie ’ s city services caused by its rapid population growth — an increase of over 50,000 residents since 2020 .
• Successful HPPS project examples include Atlanta ’ s Historic Fourth Ward Stormwater Park , which manages stormwater for a 350-acre watershed , saved at least $ 15 million compared to a traditional singular-functioned infrastructure drainage solution , and spurred over $ 500 million in adjacent economic development .
• Currently state and federal grant funding restrictions can limit the integration of such multifunctional uses due to siloed policies with singular purposes , focusing on solely stormwater or recreation . Such policy barrier presents a missed opportunity to address growth with innovation and collaborative projects .
• Proposed FDEP stormwater regulations in 2024 are expected to raise development costs of stormwater facilities ; this proposed policy change to allow multiple functions with additional social and economic benefits would maximize land use functions and land values to offset upcoming fiscal impacts , providing a greater benefit to taxpayers .
• Programs and projects that could potentially benefit from this proposed policy change include various FDEP programs for Alternative Water Supply , Water Quality and Restorations , Florida SUN Trail East Coast greenway extension , Florida Land and Water Conservation fund , Resilient Florida Program , and Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans . The amended changes would greatly expand public access and education of Florida ’ s Natural environment while improving infrastructure facilities and employment opportunities .