Community Visioning Survey- City Hall relocation
Stuart Main Street has been asked by the City of Suart to lead a community survey to gain consensus on the future use of the current City Hall property. This survey will be used to gather vital public input on how a future project should enhance the quality of the urban fabric, improve the downtown streetscape, and support the Community Redevelopment Plan. The resulting consensus will be crucial for identifying key elements that reflect the beloved small-town, waterfront character of the City of Stuart in any proposed redevelopment.
City Hall Relocation Project History
The original community survey and stakeholder visioning process for the Stuart City Hall property were conducted in late 2018 and early 2019.
This effort culminated in a final report and consensus agreement presented to the City Commission in February 2019. This was a critical step that preceded the city’s eventual purchase of the Wells Fargo building located at 301 SE Ocean Blvd.
Timeline of Key Events:
Late 2018 – February 2019: The City Hall Stakeholder Committee held public meetings and workshops to gather community input. This resulted in the consensus criteria I shared earlier (e.g., public waterfront access, economic feasibility).
August 2019: The City Commission authorized the real estate contract to begin the process of purchasing the Wells Fargo building (Resolution 64-2019).
August 2020: The city officially closed on the purchase of the building for approximately $5.05 million, intending to use it as the future site for municipal offices to free up the waterfront property.
Why a New Survey is Needed Now
While the 2019 consensus established strong “guardrails” for the site, the City of Stuart has since seen a shift in its Commission and a significant change in the local economic landscape. A new survey through Stuart Main Street would:
- Refresh the Mandate: Confirm if the 2019 goals (like moving City Hall) still represent the current will of the residents.
- Specific Use Preference: Move beyond general goals to specific preferences (e.g., choosing between a destination park, a boutique hotel, or mixed-use retail).
- Modern Challenges: Address new concerns regarding downtown parking and the “Seminole Streetscape” improvements that were not as fully developed in 2019.
Next Steps:
1. Survey: Gathering Public Input – Data & Preferences
2. Workshop: Verifying Results – A Final “Program” (List of Needs)
3. Charrette: Interactive Sketching – Initial Design Concepts
4. RFP: Seeking Developers – Formal Proposals based on Concepts
5. Selection: Final Commission Vote – Approved Master Plan
*Next steps will be determined and directed by City of Stuart based on survey results
Goals:
Urban Fabric & Connectivity
Goal: Seamlessly weave the waterfront back into the downtown “quilt.”
The Vision: Transform a single-use government site into a vibrant, multi-use anchor.
Key Question: How do we make this property a place where people want to be, not just a place they pass through?
Streetscape & Pedestrian Experience
Goal: Create a “Park-Once” environment that prioritizes people over cars.
The Vision: Coordinate with the Seminole Streetscape Project to provide wide, shaded sidewalks, high-quality pavers, and undergrounded utilities for unobstructed river views.
Key Question: What specific features (lighting, benches, trees) make our streets feel like “Stuart”?
Economic Vitality (CRA Aims)
Goal: Turn a non-taxable municipal parcel into an economic engine.
The Vision: Support the Community Redevelopment Plan by generating Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue that can be reinvested into other downtown public works.
Key Question: What balance of public park and commercial use creates a sustainable future for our city?
Small-Town Character & Heritage
Goal: Protect the “Happiest Seaside Town” aesthetic from over-development.
The Vision: Ensure any new construction respects the historic scale (1–3 stories) and nautical heritage of the “Sailfish Capital of the World.”
Key Question: How do we guarantee 100% public access to the water while honoring our history?
Phone: 772–286-2848 · PO BOX 3035, Stuart, FL 34995
Stuart Main Street is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations are tax-deductible.