Green River Parkway extension on track after vote

By LILY LADEIRA lily.ladeira@scripps.com

Plans to extend the Green River Parkway south to Dixie Highway are on track after the Martin County Commission voted Tuesday to condemn about 14 parcels of land if it becomes necessary.
Engineering Director Don Donaldson said bidding on the project will begin after October, and construction of the road is scheduled to begin next year.

Part of the reason for using eminent domain is to keep the project on schedule.
"These (parcels) were identified where we might possibly need to use eminent domain proceedings if we can't come to an agreement," Donaldson said. "If we're unable to negotiate a price ... we'll let the courts decide."

Donaldson said his staff is negotiating with the city of Stuart to acquire the rest of the property needed to extend the road.

"We did not include Stuart-owned property in the eminent domain (request) because they've supported the project," he said.

The cost of building the road is estimated at $15 million, and it's one reason Commissioner Sarah Heard voted against the measure.

"I guarantee, we'll rack up a bill that we can't afford to pay," Heard said.

Commissioner Susan Valliere also voted against the project. She said she didn't think it would alleviate traffic problems on U.S. 1.