Savannas State Preserve Park ranked in the top 10 for educational and historical facilities throughout the nation in a ranking by a national camping organization, state officials announced Wednesday.
ReserveAmerica, the organization used to reserve campsites throughout the nation, honored the Florida Parks Service in its annual awards for America's Top Outdoor Locations.
Of the 34 Florida spots, Savannas State Preserve Park — off Walton Road — was one of the best for education, due in large part to its volunteer teams and Environmental Education Center.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Monday, May 01, 2006
Florida's Housing Market Indicators
Florida existing home sales: -22%
Florida existing condo sales: -23%
Florida existing home median price: $248,200
Florida existing condo median price: $214,200
Florida consumer confidence: 89
30-year fixed rate mortgage: 6.58%
National existing home sales: +.3%
National existing home median price $218,000
Pending home sales index 117.7
National consumer confidence: 109.6
National new home sales: +13.8 %
National new home median price $224,200
Florida existing condo sales: -23%
Florida existing home median price: $248,200
Florida existing condo median price: $214,200
Florida consumer confidence: 89
30-year fixed rate mortgage: 6.58%
National existing home sales: +.3%
National existing home median price $218,000
Pending home sales index 117.7
National consumer confidence: 109.6
National new home sales: +13.8 %
National new home median price $224,200
Indecision keeps Port St. Lucie's Riverwalk plans open
By HILLARY COPSEY
Hooters flew the coop long ago. Still, the 15,000-square-foot Promenade building sits on the canal at Rivergate Park — beautiful, but empty.
Culpepper & Terpening is just weeks away from completing the Promenade — Riverwalk's only finished development and one that's been under construction for three years. But the developer still has not found a replacement for the "delightfully tacky, yet unrefined" restaurant originally slated to anchor the building.
Hooters dropped out in 2004, citing a disagreement about the two-story building's height. Last year, Bernie Kosar announced plans for a swanky steakhouse on the site overlooking the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. That also fell through.
"It's just not the time for that," said Butch Terpening, Kosar's partner and Promenade developer. "We had other things on our plate."
As hurricanes and other problems slowed construction on the Promenade, Terpening said he decided to concentrate on finishing the building before finding tenants.
"We haven't really tried to market the property," Terpening said. "Give me a month or two."
But some City Council members say Terpening's empty building and the lack of developer interest in the rest of Riverwalk are signs of problems with the decades-long proposal for an entertainment district on the river.
"I think the vision has been over-inflated," Councilwoman Michelle Berger said. "It isn't Riverwalk. It's River-Down-the-Way-a-Bit. ... We can't make the Riverwalk because we can't walk next to the river."
The sections of Riverwalk that have moved forward in recent months — roughly 45 acres south of Port St. Lucie Boulevard slated to become a hotel and retail center and a botanical garden — are actually next to the North Fork. The Promenade overlooks a boat-launching canal off the river.
The rest of Riverwalk, a meandering 16.5 acres of developable land along Midport Road, is screened from the North Fork by acres of protected mangroves. Even developers who have shown interest in the property say the project is a difficult one requiring complex negotiations for environmental permits.
With no developer for Riverwalk North and council members still debating the right use for the property, Councilman Jack Kelly said it is understandable potential tenants would balk at signing on for the Promenade.
"With the indecision, they don't know what's going in up the street from them," Kelly said.
Still, Kelly and Councilman Christopher Cooper are searching for tenants for the Promenade in hopes the project's success will kickstart the rest of Riverwalk.
"It's a fantastic location, two major crossroads in the city," Cooper said. "I think it would be one of the biggest attractors in the city, even bigger than City Center. You just need a vision that will spark the interest of the naysayers."
Hooters flew the coop long ago. Still, the 15,000-square-foot Promenade building sits on the canal at Rivergate Park — beautiful, but empty.
Culpepper & Terpening is just weeks away from completing the Promenade — Riverwalk's only finished development and one that's been under construction for three years. But the developer still has not found a replacement for the "delightfully tacky, yet unrefined" restaurant originally slated to anchor the building.
Hooters dropped out in 2004, citing a disagreement about the two-story building's height. Last year, Bernie Kosar announced plans for a swanky steakhouse on the site overlooking the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. That also fell through.
"It's just not the time for that," said Butch Terpening, Kosar's partner and Promenade developer. "We had other things on our plate."
As hurricanes and other problems slowed construction on the Promenade, Terpening said he decided to concentrate on finishing the building before finding tenants.
"We haven't really tried to market the property," Terpening said. "Give me a month or two."
But some City Council members say Terpening's empty building and the lack of developer interest in the rest of Riverwalk are signs of problems with the decades-long proposal for an entertainment district on the river.
"I think the vision has been over-inflated," Councilwoman Michelle Berger said. "It isn't Riverwalk. It's River-Down-the-Way-a-Bit. ... We can't make the Riverwalk because we can't walk next to the river."
The sections of Riverwalk that have moved forward in recent months — roughly 45 acres south of Port St. Lucie Boulevard slated to become a hotel and retail center and a botanical garden — are actually next to the North Fork. The Promenade overlooks a boat-launching canal off the river.
The rest of Riverwalk, a meandering 16.5 acres of developable land along Midport Road, is screened from the North Fork by acres of protected mangroves. Even developers who have shown interest in the property say the project is a difficult one requiring complex negotiations for environmental permits.
With no developer for Riverwalk North and council members still debating the right use for the property, Councilman Jack Kelly said it is understandable potential tenants would balk at signing on for the Promenade.
"With the indecision, they don't know what's going in up the street from them," Kelly said.
Still, Kelly and Councilman Christopher Cooper are searching for tenants for the Promenade in hopes the project's success will kickstart the rest of Riverwalk.
"It's a fantastic location, two major crossroads in the city," Cooper said. "I think it would be one of the biggest attractors in the city, even bigger than City Center. You just need a vision that will spark the interest of the naysayers."
Thursday, April 27, 2006
St. Lucie's air among cleanest in nation
By SUZANNE WENTLEY April 27, 2006 St. Lucie County's air is some of the cleanest in the nation, according to a study to be released today by the American Lung Association.
Thanks in large part to sea breezes and a citizenry who fought a coal-burning power plant last year, the Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce areas combined have the 22nd lowest levels of ozone and microscopic particles in the air of any area in America, association executives said
"It doesn't mean we're not polluting the air," said Brenda Olsen, assistant CEO of the American Lung Association of Florida. "Because we're on a peninsula, we have the crosswinds that tend to blow our pollution to other places. We certainly have a lot more to do in terms of cleaning up the air."
The data in the report came from an air quality monitor, maintained by the state Department of Environmental Protection and located at the St. Lucie County Emergency Operations Center. There are no monitors in Martin or Indian River counties.
The report ranked monitored cities based on the levels of "particle pollution" — microscopic solids from diesel trucks, school buses, trash burning and industrial emissions — and ozone, an invisible gas that irritates lungs.
Brevard County also ranked in the top 25 on the list of least polluted areas, but Escambia and Sarasota counties remained risky for residents who are elderly, infants or suffering from suppressed immune systems.
St. Lucie County also made the list of least polluted areas in the association's report last year. They have been analyzing the state and federal data since 2000.
Olsen said the decision against a coal-burning power plant last November by the St. Lucie County commission will help the area remain clean.
"The citizens and interested people were able to convince the local government that would not be a good idea," she said. "One of the things (politicians) tend to forget about is the respiratory health of people when they make decisions."
Charles Grande, the president of the St. Lucie Conservation Alliance, said the lack of industrial smokestacks, planning for "clean," research-based businesses and responsive elected officials have helped keep the air clean.
"The recent fight against the coal plant puts this in the forefront of our minds," he said. "We're not an industrial area. We have good air movement and lots of trees. Those are things that make for clean air."
Thanks in large part to sea breezes and a citizenry who fought a coal-burning power plant last year, the Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce areas combined have the 22nd lowest levels of ozone and microscopic particles in the air of any area in America, association executives said
"It doesn't mean we're not polluting the air," said Brenda Olsen, assistant CEO of the American Lung Association of Florida. "Because we're on a peninsula, we have the crosswinds that tend to blow our pollution to other places. We certainly have a lot more to do in terms of cleaning up the air."
The data in the report came from an air quality monitor, maintained by the state Department of Environmental Protection and located at the St. Lucie County Emergency Operations Center. There are no monitors in Martin or Indian River counties.
The report ranked monitored cities based on the levels of "particle pollution" — microscopic solids from diesel trucks, school buses, trash burning and industrial emissions — and ozone, an invisible gas that irritates lungs.
Brevard County also ranked in the top 25 on the list of least polluted areas, but Escambia and Sarasota counties remained risky for residents who are elderly, infants or suffering from suppressed immune systems.
St. Lucie County also made the list of least polluted areas in the association's report last year. They have been analyzing the state and federal data since 2000.
Olsen said the decision against a coal-burning power plant last November by the St. Lucie County commission will help the area remain clean.
"The citizens and interested people were able to convince the local government that would not be a good idea," she said. "One of the things (politicians) tend to forget about is the respiratory health of people when they make decisions."
Charles Grande, the president of the St. Lucie Conservation Alliance, said the lack of industrial smokestacks, planning for "clean," research-based businesses and responsive elected officials have helped keep the air clean.
"The recent fight against the coal plant puts this in the forefront of our minds," he said. "We're not an industrial area. We have good air movement and lots of trees. Those are things that make for clean air."
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Some surcharges to bail out Citizens blow other bills away
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- April 24, 2006 -- You and your neighbor might be writing dramatically different checks to cover those big losses at Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
Thanks to back-to-back intense hurricane seasons, Citizens -- the state-backed insurer of last resort -- has run up more than $2 billion in deficits the past two years.
All Florida homeowners with insurance policies must pay to cover the shortfall, according to state law. But roughly one-third, or 1.7 million, will pay much less than others.
How much less?
Some homeowners paid as little as 70 cents for every $1,000 of premiums paid. The average most homeowners paid was nearly $70 per $1,000 of premiums paid.
Those who shelled out less did so because of a special exemption in Florida law that allows some smaller insurers, known as limited apportionment companies, to pay a small portion of the assessment. By extension, their policyholders -- about a quarter-million of whom are in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties -- pay less.
In some cases, a lot less.
That difference has some state lawmakers and bureaucrats in Tallahassee calling the law unfair, especially as they weigh another Citizens bailout of $1.7 billion in the final two weeks of this legislative session.
As a result, they're trying to change the law. The Florida Department of Financial Services is drafting an amendment it wants to add to the property insurance reform bills that are moving through the Florida House and Senate. It would require the smaller insurers to pay a full share of the assessment.
Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, said he's planning to introduce a similar amendment in the House Commerce Council on Monday.
"For two individuals right next to each other with different insurance companies to pay different assessments doesn't seem fair," said Rick Mahler, chief of staff for the financial services department.
In 2004, Citizens ran up a deficit of $516 million. On average, state homeowners paid $68 for every $1,000 of premiums. Customers of State Farm, Florida's largest insurer, paid $66 and customers of Allstate Floridian Insurance Co. paid $76.
But policyholders of some small insurers paid much less. Tower Hill Prime customers paid only 70 cents per $1,000 of premiums to cover the 2004 deficit. Tower Hill Preferred customers paid $2.50 and Universal Property & Casualty customers paid $2.60.
In fact, most small insurers' policyholders paid no more than $9.30 per $1,000 of premiums to cover Citizens' 2004 deficit, according to documents filed with state insurance regulators.
What irks some lawmakers and insurance regulators is that the 815,000 Citizens policyholders already are exempt from paying the assessment. Add to that the fact that these smaller, limited apportionment insurers make up one-third of the remaining insurance policies, and that means roughly half the state's homeowner policyholders are bearing most of the cost of paying off Citizens' deficits.
"I think that's great for them, not great for us," said Erin Montgomery of Palm Beach Gardens, who is insured by Clarendon Select, which is not a limited apportionment company. "I don't know where the fairness in all of this is."
Florida homeowners are angry about having to pay to bail out the state-run insurer in the first place. David Flynn of Jupiter found out this week he is paying $171, or about 5 percent of his premium, to cover the deficit. His insurer, United Services Automobile Association, is not a limited apportionment company.
"I think the more important thing is, I shouldn't have to pay for my neighbor's homeowners insurance," Flynn said. "That's more important than the fact that the guy on the other side is paying less of the bill."
Some insurers also think the law needs tweaking.
"The issue is, times have changed and maybe it's time to reexamine it," said Rade Musulin, vice president of operations of the Florida Farm Bureau, which has one of the smaller insurers.
Florida law allows insurance companies to apply for "limited apportionment" status if they have no more than $20 million in surplus capital and write at least 25 percent of their policies in Florida. About 40 companies qualified for this status last year, and they must reapply for it annually. They have about 234,000 policies in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.
These companies get perks, including paying a smaller part of Citizens' assessments. The companies as a group have to pay only the first $50 million of any assessment. Then, just like all other insurers, the smaller companies get that money back by ordering policyholders to pay a surcharge.
So for the 2004 deficit, the one-third of the Florida homeowners market controlled by these small companies paid $50 million; the remaining two-thirds paid $466 million.
And now, when Citizens' 2005 deficit is projected to be $1.7 billion, that means two-thirds of the market will end up paying $1.65 billion of the tab.
Bills in the House and Senate would pour some tax money into Citizens to help cover the deficit, but Gov. Jeb Bush said Friday that he supports giving that money to homeowners rather than to Citizens.
The idea behind the law was to encourage small insurers to open up shop in Florida to increase competition. The companies say the law helps them stay in business. They say they aren't like large insurers, who have more capital on hand and can write big checks up front for the assessment. Doing that would put some of them out of business, they claim.
"You're going to be hit with this assessment right during or after you pay a bunch of money in claims," said Don Matz, president and chief operating officer of Tower Hill, which owns two smaller insurers. "Companies might not have the money to pay this assessment."
The companies also point out that they are writing policies and keeping a lot of homes out of Citizens -- homes that otherwise might contribute to the deficit.
"These smaller companies really provide the bulk of the capacity for homeowners insurance," said Barry Gates, senior underwriter for Bankers Insurance Co., whose sister company, First Community Insurance Co., is a limited apportionment company. "If they're not there, people would have trouble getting insurance at all."
Not all small insurers paid so little. Florida Farm Bureau General Insurance Co. policyholders paid $46 for every $1,000 of premiums, and Florida Preferred Property Insurance Co. customers paid $26.10.
But most companies were paying far less than the rest of the market. And some lawmakers have raised questions about the law, especially in a year when Citizens is posting record deficits and staring down the barrel of an active hurricane cycle.
"You should not be giving some insurance companies an unfair advantage," said Sen. Steven Geller, D-Hallandale Beach. "You may decrease the availability the larger insurance companies have."
The state Department of Financial Services is crafting an amendment that would require small insurers to pay a full share of the deficit, Mahler said.
They would pay their share of the first $50 million up front, as they do now. After that, the companies would collect the rest of the money from policyholders and then give it to Citizens. Currently, the companies pay Citizens first and then charge their policyholders to get it back.
"They wouldn't have to front as much, but their policyholders would pay as much as everyone else," Mahler said. "It was basically a common-sense issue."
Ross plans to introduce a similar amendment in Monday's House Commerce Council meeting. He said it would allow limited apportionment companies to tap the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund sooner, but it also would require them to pay their full share of any Citizens' assessments.
Sam Miller, spokesman for the Florida Insurance Council, said he expects the special exemption to end this year.
"Based on what we've heard, they will probably take a hard look at whether the $50 million cap is appropriate," he said.
And many companies think that would be just fine.
The whole key is that as long as it's a pay-as-you-go system rather than advancing the money ahead of time, there won't be issues, said Don Cronin, CEO of United Property & Casualty, a small insurer.
"A major reason the limited apportionment definition was even created was to prevent smaller companies from being financially unprepared because of a single assessment that came due all at once," he said.
Florida homeowners such as Charles Matuella of Greenacres just want the process to be fair. "If we're assessed the same amount," he said, "we should all be in the same ballpark as far as payment."
Copyright © 2006 The Palm Beach Post, Fla., Stephanie Horvath
Thanks to back-to-back intense hurricane seasons, Citizens -- the state-backed insurer of last resort -- has run up more than $2 billion in deficits the past two years.
All Florida homeowners with insurance policies must pay to cover the shortfall, according to state law. But roughly one-third, or 1.7 million, will pay much less than others.
How much less?
Some homeowners paid as little as 70 cents for every $1,000 of premiums paid. The average most homeowners paid was nearly $70 per $1,000 of premiums paid.
Those who shelled out less did so because of a special exemption in Florida law that allows some smaller insurers, known as limited apportionment companies, to pay a small portion of the assessment. By extension, their policyholders -- about a quarter-million of whom are in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties -- pay less.
In some cases, a lot less.
That difference has some state lawmakers and bureaucrats in Tallahassee calling the law unfair, especially as they weigh another Citizens bailout of $1.7 billion in the final two weeks of this legislative session.
As a result, they're trying to change the law. The Florida Department of Financial Services is drafting an amendment it wants to add to the property insurance reform bills that are moving through the Florida House and Senate. It would require the smaller insurers to pay a full share of the assessment.
Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, said he's planning to introduce a similar amendment in the House Commerce Council on Monday.
"For two individuals right next to each other with different insurance companies to pay different assessments doesn't seem fair," said Rick Mahler, chief of staff for the financial services department.
In 2004, Citizens ran up a deficit of $516 million. On average, state homeowners paid $68 for every $1,000 of premiums. Customers of State Farm, Florida's largest insurer, paid $66 and customers of Allstate Floridian Insurance Co. paid $76.
But policyholders of some small insurers paid much less. Tower Hill Prime customers paid only 70 cents per $1,000 of premiums to cover the 2004 deficit. Tower Hill Preferred customers paid $2.50 and Universal Property & Casualty customers paid $2.60.
In fact, most small insurers' policyholders paid no more than $9.30 per $1,000 of premiums to cover Citizens' 2004 deficit, according to documents filed with state insurance regulators.
What irks some lawmakers and insurance regulators is that the 815,000 Citizens policyholders already are exempt from paying the assessment. Add to that the fact that these smaller, limited apportionment insurers make up one-third of the remaining insurance policies, and that means roughly half the state's homeowner policyholders are bearing most of the cost of paying off Citizens' deficits.
"I think that's great for them, not great for us," said Erin Montgomery of Palm Beach Gardens, who is insured by Clarendon Select, which is not a limited apportionment company. "I don't know where the fairness in all of this is."
Florida homeowners are angry about having to pay to bail out the state-run insurer in the first place. David Flynn of Jupiter found out this week he is paying $171, or about 5 percent of his premium, to cover the deficit. His insurer, United Services Automobile Association, is not a limited apportionment company.
"I think the more important thing is, I shouldn't have to pay for my neighbor's homeowners insurance," Flynn said. "That's more important than the fact that the guy on the other side is paying less of the bill."
Some insurers also think the law needs tweaking.
"The issue is, times have changed and maybe it's time to reexamine it," said Rade Musulin, vice president of operations of the Florida Farm Bureau, which has one of the smaller insurers.
Florida law allows insurance companies to apply for "limited apportionment" status if they have no more than $20 million in surplus capital and write at least 25 percent of their policies in Florida. About 40 companies qualified for this status last year, and they must reapply for it annually. They have about 234,000 policies in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.
These companies get perks, including paying a smaller part of Citizens' assessments. The companies as a group have to pay only the first $50 million of any assessment. Then, just like all other insurers, the smaller companies get that money back by ordering policyholders to pay a surcharge.
So for the 2004 deficit, the one-third of the Florida homeowners market controlled by these small companies paid $50 million; the remaining two-thirds paid $466 million.
And now, when Citizens' 2005 deficit is projected to be $1.7 billion, that means two-thirds of the market will end up paying $1.65 billion of the tab.
Bills in the House and Senate would pour some tax money into Citizens to help cover the deficit, but Gov. Jeb Bush said Friday that he supports giving that money to homeowners rather than to Citizens.
The idea behind the law was to encourage small insurers to open up shop in Florida to increase competition. The companies say the law helps them stay in business. They say they aren't like large insurers, who have more capital on hand and can write big checks up front for the assessment. Doing that would put some of them out of business, they claim.
"You're going to be hit with this assessment right during or after you pay a bunch of money in claims," said Don Matz, president and chief operating officer of Tower Hill, which owns two smaller insurers. "Companies might not have the money to pay this assessment."
The companies also point out that they are writing policies and keeping a lot of homes out of Citizens -- homes that otherwise might contribute to the deficit.
"These smaller companies really provide the bulk of the capacity for homeowners insurance," said Barry Gates, senior underwriter for Bankers Insurance Co., whose sister company, First Community Insurance Co., is a limited apportionment company. "If they're not there, people would have trouble getting insurance at all."
Not all small insurers paid so little. Florida Farm Bureau General Insurance Co. policyholders paid $46 for every $1,000 of premiums, and Florida Preferred Property Insurance Co. customers paid $26.10.
But most companies were paying far less than the rest of the market. And some lawmakers have raised questions about the law, especially in a year when Citizens is posting record deficits and staring down the barrel of an active hurricane cycle.
"You should not be giving some insurance companies an unfair advantage," said Sen. Steven Geller, D-Hallandale Beach. "You may decrease the availability the larger insurance companies have."
The state Department of Financial Services is crafting an amendment that would require small insurers to pay a full share of the deficit, Mahler said.
They would pay their share of the first $50 million up front, as they do now. After that, the companies would collect the rest of the money from policyholders and then give it to Citizens. Currently, the companies pay Citizens first and then charge their policyholders to get it back.
"They wouldn't have to front as much, but their policyholders would pay as much as everyone else," Mahler said. "It was basically a common-sense issue."
Ross plans to introduce a similar amendment in Monday's House Commerce Council meeting. He said it would allow limited apportionment companies to tap the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund sooner, but it also would require them to pay their full share of any Citizens' assessments.
Sam Miller, spokesman for the Florida Insurance Council, said he expects the special exemption to end this year.
"Based on what we've heard, they will probably take a hard look at whether the $50 million cap is appropriate," he said.
And many companies think that would be just fine.
The whole key is that as long as it's a pay-as-you-go system rather than advancing the money ahead of time, there won't be issues, said Don Cronin, CEO of United Property & Casualty, a small insurer.
"A major reason the limited apportionment definition was even created was to prevent smaller companies from being financially unprepared because of a single assessment that came due all at once," he said.
Florida homeowners such as Charles Matuella of Greenacres just want the process to be fair. "If we're assessed the same amount," he said, "we should all be in the same ballpark as far as payment."
Copyright © 2006 The Palm Beach Post, Fla., Stephanie Horvath
Monday, April 24, 2006
Port St Lucie Celebrates its 45th Birthday!
Port St. Lucie celebrates its 45th birthday this month with a population that is surging toward 150,000.
The recent change has been dramatic. In its first 30 years, the city welcomed 55,000 residents. In the past three years, about 45,000 people moved here. The Census Bureau calls it America's fastest growing city.
That explosive growth is straining city services and relations with its neighbors, igniting political feuds with Martin and St. Lucie counties.
The face of the city also is changing: more families with children, more newcomers from South Florida instead of the Northeast, more diversity.
Port St. Lucie milestones:
1961: On April 21, Port St. Lucie filed for incorporation. Port St. Lucie Boulevard paved from U.S. 1 to Morningside Boulevard.
1970: Census results indicate city's year-round population is 330. The city has only one doctor until 1980.
1980: The city's population jumps to 14,000.
1988: New York Mets training facility opens.
1990: General Development Corp. declares bankruptcy.
1994: The city embarks on a citywide water-sewer project despite criticism about cost.
1999: Early census numbers indicate the city exceeds West Palm Beach by more than 3,000 people.
2001: $20 million in state funds earmarked for the Walton Road Bridge is moved to fund the West Virginia Corridor.
2003: The population tops 100,000.
2004: Fifteen square miles west of Interstate 95 annexed. The area includes a large job corridor along I-95.
2005: Census names Port St. Lucie the fastest-growing large city in the country.
2006: By the city's 45th birthday, the population nears 150,000.
The recent change has been dramatic. In its first 30 years, the city welcomed 55,000 residents. In the past three years, about 45,000 people moved here. The Census Bureau calls it America's fastest growing city.
That explosive growth is straining city services and relations with its neighbors, igniting political feuds with Martin and St. Lucie counties.
The face of the city also is changing: more families with children, more newcomers from South Florida instead of the Northeast, more diversity.
Port St. Lucie milestones:
1961: On April 21, Port St. Lucie filed for incorporation. Port St. Lucie Boulevard paved from U.S. 1 to Morningside Boulevard.
1970: Census results indicate city's year-round population is 330. The city has only one doctor until 1980.
1980: The city's population jumps to 14,000.
1988: New York Mets training facility opens.
1990: General Development Corp. declares bankruptcy.
1994: The city embarks on a citywide water-sewer project despite criticism about cost.
1999: Early census numbers indicate the city exceeds West Palm Beach by more than 3,000 people.
2001: $20 million in state funds earmarked for the Walton Road Bridge is moved to fund the West Virginia Corridor.
2003: The population tops 100,000.
2004: Fifteen square miles west of Interstate 95 annexed. The area includes a large job corridor along I-95.
2005: Census names Port St. Lucie the fastest-growing large city in the country.
2006: By the city's 45th birthday, the population nears 150,000.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
PSL to look at Becker Road project
By CHRIS YOUNG April 23, 2006
PORT ST. LUCIE — City Council members will examine the first step in transforming Becker Road from a two-lane road to a four-lane thoroughfare at Monday's regular council meeting.
They will consider approving a plan mapping how existing side streets will intersect with Becker as well as targeting 70 empty lots and one lot with a house on it for drainage ponds.
"It's a beginning," Councilman Jack Kelly said. "I'd like to see it move quicker."
The city won't need to buy property along Becker Road for the four-lane expansion, and could work around the occupied lot if the owner refused to sell, City Manager Don Cooper said.
After approval Monday, the city can stop any future building on those 71 lots and begin acquiring those properties for the drainage.
The plans for the corridor, which are only about 30 percent complete, include the four-lane road with landscaped medians, a pedestrian walkway on the south side and a bike path on the north side.
Currently, officials aren't looking at incorporating any roundabouts proposed by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, but would install five traffic signals at Hallmark, Savona, Port St. Lucie Boulevard, Darwin, and Kestor.
The plan can include planning council ideas if funding becomes available, but at least it must go forward in order to make good on the annexation agreement the city signed with Core Communities, G.L. Homes, and Ansca Homes, Cooper said. Those developers will pay for the Becker Road expansion from Interstate 95 to Florida's Turnpike.
Cooper said the interchange of Becker Road at the turnpike should be finished by early next year, about the same time construction should begin at Becker Road and I-95.
An amendment to the city's comprehensive plan needs to be finished, which will take at least six months, along with a report detailing plans for the interchange at I-95, which will also take a couple of months, Cooper said.
PORT ST. LUCIE — City Council members will examine the first step in transforming Becker Road from a two-lane road to a four-lane thoroughfare at Monday's regular council meeting.
They will consider approving a plan mapping how existing side streets will intersect with Becker as well as targeting 70 empty lots and one lot with a house on it for drainage ponds.
"It's a beginning," Councilman Jack Kelly said. "I'd like to see it move quicker."
The city won't need to buy property along Becker Road for the four-lane expansion, and could work around the occupied lot if the owner refused to sell, City Manager Don Cooper said.
After approval Monday, the city can stop any future building on those 71 lots and begin acquiring those properties for the drainage.
The plans for the corridor, which are only about 30 percent complete, include the four-lane road with landscaped medians, a pedestrian walkway on the south side and a bike path on the north side.
Currently, officials aren't looking at incorporating any roundabouts proposed by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, but would install five traffic signals at Hallmark, Savona, Port St. Lucie Boulevard, Darwin, and Kestor.
The plan can include planning council ideas if funding becomes available, but at least it must go forward in order to make good on the annexation agreement the city signed with Core Communities, G.L. Homes, and Ansca Homes, Cooper said. Those developers will pay for the Becker Road expansion from Interstate 95 to Florida's Turnpike.
Cooper said the interchange of Becker Road at the turnpike should be finished by early next year, about the same time construction should begin at Becker Road and I-95.
An amendment to the city's comprehensive plan needs to be finished, which will take at least six months, along with a report detailing plans for the interchange at I-95, which will also take a couple of months, Cooper said.
Friday, April 21, 2006
One of two winning Lotto tickets from Port St. Lucie
By Allyson Bird
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 21, 2006
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Cumberland Farms store on Floresta Drive was a revolving door of media and frequent customers who had heard the news Thursday morning that one lucky Florida Lottery player bought the winning ticket there.
By 11:30 a.m., store clerk Keri Frosch stopped curious people short and just said with a smile, "No, we don't know who it is."
But she does know that receipts show about 4,000 people bought tickets Wednesday night alone.
"When it's that high it happens," Frosch said, referring to high ticket sales. "When it goes up to $82 million, forget it."
The small store, tucked away in a strip mall across the street from Floresta Elementary School, was packed with customers at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Many appeared to have stopped on their way home from work to pick up tickets. The line at times stretched to the back of the store, while customers chatted about the odds of winning.
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 21, 2006
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Cumberland Farms store on Floresta Drive was a revolving door of media and frequent customers who had heard the news Thursday morning that one lucky Florida Lottery player bought the winning ticket there.
By 11:30 a.m., store clerk Keri Frosch stopped curious people short and just said with a smile, "No, we don't know who it is."
But she does know that receipts show about 4,000 people bought tickets Wednesday night alone.
"When it's that high it happens," Frosch said, referring to high ticket sales. "When it goes up to $82 million, forget it."
The small store, tucked away in a strip mall across the street from Floresta Elementary School, was packed with customers at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Many appeared to have stopped on their way home from work to pick up tickets. The line at times stretched to the back of the store, while customers chatted about the odds of winning.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
St. Lucie housing boom shifting to lower gear??
Excerpt from: Eve Samples
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 14, 2006
PORT ST. LUCIE — During last year's frenzied days of deal-making and low interest rates, almost $6 billion worth of property changed hands in fast-growing St. Lucie County — but investors shouldn't expect the craze to continue at the same pace this year, real estate experts said Thursday.
"Obviously there's a housing bubble in Florida. Come on, of course there is," he said.
But owners shouldn't fret too much: Much of the state's housing glut is in South Florida condominiums, and the excess local homes shouldn't stay on the market too long, Fishkind said.
The Treasure Coast's housing surplus is more pronounced in St. Lucie than Martin County, but Fishkind predicted healthy population growth should be enough to eat up the excess within nine months or a year.
Port St. Lucie's growth rate — which the U.S. Census last year deemed the nation's highest among cities larger than 100,000 residents — is holding strong. By the end of this year, Port St. Lucie is on track to hit 150,000 people, City Manager Don Cooper said.
"That makes us the largest city between Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville," he said.
If and when the entire city is built out, the population is expected to reach 400,000 to 450,000.
Why is St. Lucie growing so much more swiftly than Martin or Indian River counties? More stringent growth restrictions in the neighboring counties are driving builders into St. Lucie, Fishkind said.
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 14, 2006
PORT ST. LUCIE — During last year's frenzied days of deal-making and low interest rates, almost $6 billion worth of property changed hands in fast-growing St. Lucie County — but investors shouldn't expect the craze to continue at the same pace this year, real estate experts said Thursday.
"Obviously there's a housing bubble in Florida. Come on, of course there is," he said.
But owners shouldn't fret too much: Much of the state's housing glut is in South Florida condominiums, and the excess local homes shouldn't stay on the market too long, Fishkind said.
The Treasure Coast's housing surplus is more pronounced in St. Lucie than Martin County, but Fishkind predicted healthy population growth should be enough to eat up the excess within nine months or a year.
Port St. Lucie's growth rate — which the U.S. Census last year deemed the nation's highest among cities larger than 100,000 residents — is holding strong. By the end of this year, Port St. Lucie is on track to hit 150,000 people, City Manager Don Cooper said.
"That makes us the largest city between Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville," he said.
If and when the entire city is built out, the population is expected to reach 400,000 to 450,000.
Why is St. Lucie growing so much more swiftly than Martin or Indian River counties? More stringent growth restrictions in the neighboring counties are driving builders into St. Lucie, Fishkind said.
Utility takeover talks backed in Port St. Lucie
By Teresa Lane (Palm Beach Post Staff Writer)
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
PORT ST. LUCIE — Faced with dozens of pleading St. Lucie West residents, city council members on Monday instructed their city manager to take the first step in what could be a municipal takeover of St. Lucie West's water and sewer plants.
Crippled the past year by a lack of water, management turmoil and a three-month lag in notifying residents of high lead levels, the quasi-governmental St. Lucie West Services District asked city council members to consider managing its utility plants and possibly other services two weeks ago.
With some council members favoring city ownership of the utility plants, others seeking only to run the plants and still another favoring no action, it's unclear how negotiations between City Manager Don Cooper and services district attorney Dan Harrell will end.
Only one thing is certain, Mayor Bob Minsky said. "There's no way we're going to just leave you in the lurch," Minsky told the residents. "You are citizens of our city."
Although two services district board members voted against seeking city management April 4, Councilman Jack Kelly said it's clear the community's utility system has been in trouble since 7,000 faucets went dry a year ago.
"When you turn on the faucet and there's no water, that's like a 2-by-4 in your face," Kelly said. "If we do take control, we have to have complete control of the utility. There has to be one master."
Dozens of St. Lucie West residents attended Monday's meeting, applauding whenever someone walked to the podium to encourage city management. Only district board member Sal Mancuso spoke against negotiations, blaming recent troubles on management company Government Services Group rather than board members who hired the company.
"We have serious concerns about St. Lucie West Services District's lack of leadership and direction," Cascades resident Charles Jordan said. "We pay more for services and seem to be getting less."
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
PORT ST. LUCIE — Faced with dozens of pleading St. Lucie West residents, city council members on Monday instructed their city manager to take the first step in what could be a municipal takeover of St. Lucie West's water and sewer plants.
Crippled the past year by a lack of water, management turmoil and a three-month lag in notifying residents of high lead levels, the quasi-governmental St. Lucie West Services District asked city council members to consider managing its utility plants and possibly other services two weeks ago.
With some council members favoring city ownership of the utility plants, others seeking only to run the plants and still another favoring no action, it's unclear how negotiations between City Manager Don Cooper and services district attorney Dan Harrell will end.
Only one thing is certain, Mayor Bob Minsky said. "There's no way we're going to just leave you in the lurch," Minsky told the residents. "You are citizens of our city."
Although two services district board members voted against seeking city management April 4, Councilman Jack Kelly said it's clear the community's utility system has been in trouble since 7,000 faucets went dry a year ago.
"When you turn on the faucet and there's no water, that's like a 2-by-4 in your face," Kelly said. "If we do take control, we have to have complete control of the utility. There has to be one master."
Dozens of St. Lucie West residents attended Monday's meeting, applauding whenever someone walked to the podium to encourage city management. Only district board member Sal Mancuso spoke against negotiations, blaming recent troubles on management company Government Services Group rather than board members who hired the company.
"We have serious concerns about St. Lucie West Services District's lack of leadership and direction," Cascades resident Charles Jordan said. "We pay more for services and seem to be getting less."
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Port St Lucie officials reject developer's land bid
PORT ST. LUCIE — City council members may be eager to develop the northern finger of Riverwalk, but a majority says they're not so desperate they'll sell land for $60,600 an acre.
That's the offer West Palm Beach developer Jonathan Gladstone has made for 16 1/2 acres on Midport Road between Veterans Memorial Park and the Walden Woods condominium complex. Although Gladstone is paying the city $400,000 an acre for 9.75 acres along the southern fringe of Riverwalk, he said the northern piece is much less valuable because of its thin, linear shape and lack of waterfront access.
Like a dozen other developers who once pondered a public-private partnership to develop all or part of the city's long-awaited north Riverwalk project, Gladstone was not interested in the northern piece until council members asked him to make a bid on it.
He offered $1 million for 16 1/2 acres and proposed to build 42 townhomes, two small restaurants, a bed-and-breakfast hotel, two buildings for retail, office and living quarters, and a canoe-rental area.
Assistant City Manager Bonnie Dyga said with building lots selling for up to $100,000 apiece, the land beneath the 42 townhomes should generate $4 million alone. Most council members said they agree the price is too low and will seek an appraisal before selling it.
The item was scheduled for council consideration Monday night but pulled by Gladstone, who wants to meet with council members individually.
"I can't go much higher than $1 million," said Gladstone, who is planning a more ambitious project at the southern Riverwalk parcel on Westmoreland Boulevard. "This is not big money-making stuff, and it's going to be an expensive project to produce."
He estimates it will cost $15 million to develop the buildings, access roads, parking lots, canoe and kayak launch and two wildlife viewing towers proposed.
Dyga said the council recently adopted a policy to have all city-owned land appraised before it is sold. Mayor Bob Minsky, a former real estate agent, would like to do just that. "Rather than give it away prematurely, I think it's advisable to wait," Minsky said. "I'm not willing to take a low value and (allow) that many homes," Councilwoman Michelle Berger said. "It's fine if it doesn't get developed. It's serving a purpose now."
Even Councilmen Chris Cooper and Jack Kelly, among the staunchest proponents of Riverwalk, said they have several questions about the proposal.
"It's not quite what I was looking for," said Cooper, who wants the district to extend north of Walden Woods to Midport Lake and Lyngate Park. "At some point it will appeal to somebody."
While Kelly said he's excited by the chance to jump-start Riverwalk, he wants to know how much Gladstone is spending on public amenities before agreeing to a price.
Vice Mayor Patricia Christensen said she's in no hurry to develop the parcel, part of the 24 acres the city received in a three-way land swap involving land across from St. Lucie Medical Center.
"I want to see what Mr. Gladstone puts on the southern piece," Christensen said. "The city may need to use this land for our own recreational purposes at some point."
That's the offer West Palm Beach developer Jonathan Gladstone has made for 16 1/2 acres on Midport Road between Veterans Memorial Park and the Walden Woods condominium complex. Although Gladstone is paying the city $400,000 an acre for 9.75 acres along the southern fringe of Riverwalk, he said the northern piece is much less valuable because of its thin, linear shape and lack of waterfront access.
Like a dozen other developers who once pondered a public-private partnership to develop all or part of the city's long-awaited north Riverwalk project, Gladstone was not interested in the northern piece until council members asked him to make a bid on it.
He offered $1 million for 16 1/2 acres and proposed to build 42 townhomes, two small restaurants, a bed-and-breakfast hotel, two buildings for retail, office and living quarters, and a canoe-rental area.
Assistant City Manager Bonnie Dyga said with building lots selling for up to $100,000 apiece, the land beneath the 42 townhomes should generate $4 million alone. Most council members said they agree the price is too low and will seek an appraisal before selling it.
The item was scheduled for council consideration Monday night but pulled by Gladstone, who wants to meet with council members individually.
"I can't go much higher than $1 million," said Gladstone, who is planning a more ambitious project at the southern Riverwalk parcel on Westmoreland Boulevard. "This is not big money-making stuff, and it's going to be an expensive project to produce."
He estimates it will cost $15 million to develop the buildings, access roads, parking lots, canoe and kayak launch and two wildlife viewing towers proposed.
Dyga said the council recently adopted a policy to have all city-owned land appraised before it is sold. Mayor Bob Minsky, a former real estate agent, would like to do just that. "Rather than give it away prematurely, I think it's advisable to wait," Minsky said. "I'm not willing to take a low value and (allow) that many homes," Councilwoman Michelle Berger said. "It's fine if it doesn't get developed. It's serving a purpose now."
Even Councilmen Chris Cooper and Jack Kelly, among the staunchest proponents of Riverwalk, said they have several questions about the proposal.
"It's not quite what I was looking for," said Cooper, who wants the district to extend north of Walden Woods to Midport Lake and Lyngate Park. "At some point it will appeal to somebody."
While Kelly said he's excited by the chance to jump-start Riverwalk, he wants to know how much Gladstone is spending on public amenities before agreeing to a price.
Vice Mayor Patricia Christensen said she's in no hurry to develop the parcel, part of the 24 acres the city received in a three-way land swap involving land across from St. Lucie Medical Center.
"I want to see what Mr. Gladstone puts on the southern piece," Christensen said. "The city may need to use this land for our own recreational purposes at some point."
Sunday, March 26, 2006
PSL's New Shopping Mecca
Prayers to the shopping gods made by residents in southwest Port St. Lucie have been answered.
No longer will they have to make the arduous trek to Jensen Beach to shop at stores like Target or Old Navy. By mid-2007, those stores, along with a host of others, will be entering America's fastest growing city along Gatlin Boulevard on both sides of its I-95 exit.
With three power shopping centers and one neighborhood center, Gatlin will boast roughly 1.5 million square feet of retail space. The stores will be concentrated in a span of just two miles between Rosser Boulevard and Village Parkway.
The Landing at Tradition will likely be the first completed. There, at least 10 national retailers will open their first shops in St. Lucie County, said Alan Karrh, director of retail marketing for Tradition. Work crews are preparing the land now and construction is scheduled to begin by early summer.
In addition to fulfilling the shopping needs of an under-served market, the retail developments will help ease road congestion, because area residents won't have to enter Martin County.
"Getting to the Treasure Coast Square Mall is 30 minutes-plus on a good day," said Port St. Lucie councilman Christopher Cooper. "Now, residents will have the amenities near their homes."
No longer will they have to make the arduous trek to Jensen Beach to shop at stores like Target or Old Navy. By mid-2007, those stores, along with a host of others, will be entering America's fastest growing city along Gatlin Boulevard on both sides of its I-95 exit.
With three power shopping centers and one neighborhood center, Gatlin will boast roughly 1.5 million square feet of retail space. The stores will be concentrated in a span of just two miles between Rosser Boulevard and Village Parkway.
The Landing at Tradition will likely be the first completed. There, at least 10 national retailers will open their first shops in St. Lucie County, said Alan Karrh, director of retail marketing for Tradition. Work crews are preparing the land now and construction is scheduled to begin by early summer.
In addition to fulfilling the shopping needs of an under-served market, the retail developments will help ease road congestion, because area residents won't have to enter Martin County.
"Getting to the Treasure Coast Square Mall is 30 minutes-plus on a good day," said Port St. Lucie councilman Christopher Cooper. "Now, residents will have the amenities near their homes."
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Treasure Coast High School to open August 8th!
TREASURE COAST HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
• State-of-the-art college-level science laboratories with bio-tech and medical programs.
• Gymnasium built as a public hurricane shelter to withstand 180-mph winds.
• High-tech features include key card access; teachers with microphones; a possible 2 to 1 student-to-computer ratio; campus-wide wireless connectivity.
• Titan mascot and black and metallic gold colors.
• Will serve the southwestern "red" zone in St. Lucie County's student assignment system. BY
THE NUMBERS
• Project cost: $70 million
• Total square feet: 350,000
• First year enrollment: 1,500
• Maximum capacity: 2,500 students
• Auditorium: 850 seats
• Gymnasium: seats 1,100 in bleachers
Florida Existing Homes Sales Ease
ORLANDO, Fla., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising inventory levels and still-low mortgage rates continued to affect Florida's housing market, which isadjusting to a better balance between buyers and sellers following a five-year run of record-pace sales. Statewide, sales of single-family existing homes totaled 13,539 in February compared to 16,916 homes a year ago, for a20 percent decrease, according to the Florida Association of Realtors(R)(FAR). Realtors from across the state report that the supply of homes available for sale in their markets is improving, offering buyers more housing opportunities.
The statewide median price for single-family existing homes last month was $244,200, up 24 percent from the February 2005 statewide median of $197,700. In February 2001, the statewide median sales price was $118,200, which shows an increase of about 106 percent over the five-year period, according toFAR records. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.
The statewide median price for single-family existing homes last month was $244,200, up 24 percent from the February 2005 statewide median of $197,700. In February 2001, the statewide median sales price was $118,200, which shows an increase of about 106 percent over the five-year period, according toFAR records. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Plan to expand U.S. 1 near PSL Boulevard
City Council members voted on Monday to label as blighted the 1.75-mile stretch of Port St. Lucie Boulevard and Riverwalk east of the St. Lucie River. That's a necessary step to join it with the U.S. 1 Community Redevelopment Area.
On Monday all the council members emphatically said that residents had nothing to fear, that home values will only be increased by future infrastructure improvements that will be funded by tax dollars that can only be spent in the CRA.
Residents' fears of the city foreclosing on their houses and taking them in eminent domain proceedings were unfounded, council members said.
"We would never come in and take someone's house," Councilman Christopher Cooper said. "The city tries to work with people."
Councilman Jack Kelly, whose district includes the proposed CRA expansion, said he wants to limit the amount of commercial development and keep the road as a thoroughfare with parks and green spaces. "I want it to look like the entrance to the city," he said.
• The expansion will provide tax money to improve the area.
• To become part of the CRA, the area must legally be declared "blighted."
• Some residents are offended by the "blighted" designation and worry about the future of the neighborhood.
On Monday all the council members emphatically said that residents had nothing to fear, that home values will only be increased by future infrastructure improvements that will be funded by tax dollars that can only be spent in the CRA.
Residents' fears of the city foreclosing on their houses and taking them in eminent domain proceedings were unfounded, council members said.
"We would never come in and take someone's house," Councilman Christopher Cooper said. "The city tries to work with people."
Councilman Jack Kelly, whose district includes the proposed CRA expansion, said he wants to limit the amount of commercial development and keep the road as a thoroughfare with parks and green spaces. "I want it to look like the entrance to the city," he said.
• The expansion will provide tax money to improve the area.
• To become part of the CRA, the area must legally be declared "blighted."
• Some residents are offended by the "blighted" designation and worry about the future of the neighborhood.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Martin County Challenging Port St Lucie's Growth!
STUART · Martin County is girding for a legal battle to obtain money from developers in western Port St. Lucie for improvements to roads, beaches and boat ramps needed in Martin County to handle thousands of new city residents.The Martin County Growth Management Department issued a report Friday asking the County Commission to formally object to a proposal to change Port St. Lucie's growth plan regarding about 42 square miles of land in the city's western annexation area.
If approved by county commissioners Tuesday, the objections could form the basis for an administrative challenge to the proposed changes to Port St. Lucie's growth plan that would trigger hearings.Martin County planners also asked the County Commission to send a letter to Port St. Lucie Mayor Bob Minsky asking the city to require developers to pay Martin County for the new county buildings that will be needed to accommodate the influx of new city residents.In addition, the planners asked the commission to urge the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to reject plans for the 4,063 houses and 377,400 square feet of business space in the 1,585-acre Western Grove subdivision because the project does not include any funding for roadway improvements, beach facilities or boat ramps in Martin County."I'm hoping it doesn't escalate from here, but we have to look out for Martin County taxpayers," said Commissioner Lee Weberman. However, Martin County's complaints didn't sit well with Port St. Lucie Mayor Bob Minsky. "They can stay the hell out of our business," Minsky said. Ultimately, the issues will be resolved by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, which helps review plans for large developments like those proposed in western Port St. Lucie. The state Department of Community Affairs also reviews changes to all local growth plans.
If approved by county commissioners Tuesday, the objections could form the basis for an administrative challenge to the proposed changes to Port St. Lucie's growth plan that would trigger hearings.Martin County planners also asked the County Commission to send a letter to Port St. Lucie Mayor Bob Minsky asking the city to require developers to pay Martin County for the new county buildings that will be needed to accommodate the influx of new city residents.In addition, the planners asked the commission to urge the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to reject plans for the 4,063 houses and 377,400 square feet of business space in the 1,585-acre Western Grove subdivision because the project does not include any funding for roadway improvements, beach facilities or boat ramps in Martin County."I'm hoping it doesn't escalate from here, but we have to look out for Martin County taxpayers," said Commissioner Lee Weberman. However, Martin County's complaints didn't sit well with Port St. Lucie Mayor Bob Minsky. "They can stay the hell out of our business," Minsky said. Ultimately, the issues will be resolved by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, which helps review plans for large developments like those proposed in western Port St. Lucie. The state Department of Community Affairs also reviews changes to all local growth plans.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
St. Lucie County will add 4,000 homes
By HILLARY COPSEY
PORT ST. LUCIE — Centex Homes has purchased for $110 million the LTC Ranch, a 2,000-acre tract annexed into the city in 2002 amid controversy over Port St. Lucie's sprawling growth.
The Dallas-based company plans to revive the original proposal for the land and build North Pointe, a mixed-use community south of Midway Road and west of Glades Cut-off Road.
North Pointe will include as many as 4,000 housing units, including single-family homes, condominiums and townhouses. It also will include nearly 2 million square feet of industrial space, and as much as 725,000 square feet of retail space, Centex said in a news release on Monday.
Centex paid LTC $110 million for the property on March 8, according to records filed with the St. Lucie County Clerk.
Centex representatives were not available for comment on Monday.
At least one City Council member worried that the city needs commercial and retail development more than new homes.
"Do we need more houses now?" Councilman Christoper Cooper said. "We don't." Port St. Lucie riled St. Lucie County officials when it annexed the LTC Ranch in 2002 because it crossed the Urban Service Boundary, a dividing line between heavy development in the east and open, agricultural space in the west. At the time, City Manager Don Cooper said the boundary was a county line and therefore not the city's concern.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Centex Homes has purchased for $110 million the LTC Ranch, a 2,000-acre tract annexed into the city in 2002 amid controversy over Port St. Lucie's sprawling growth.
The Dallas-based company plans to revive the original proposal for the land and build North Pointe, a mixed-use community south of Midway Road and west of Glades Cut-off Road.
North Pointe will include as many as 4,000 housing units, including single-family homes, condominiums and townhouses. It also will include nearly 2 million square feet of industrial space, and as much as 725,000 square feet of retail space, Centex said in a news release on Monday.
Centex paid LTC $110 million for the property on March 8, according to records filed with the St. Lucie County Clerk.
Centex representatives were not available for comment on Monday.
At least one City Council member worried that the city needs commercial and retail development more than new homes.
"Do we need more houses now?" Councilman Christoper Cooper said. "We don't." Port St. Lucie riled St. Lucie County officials when it annexed the LTC Ranch in 2002 because it crossed the Urban Service Boundary, a dividing line between heavy development in the east and open, agricultural space in the west. At the time, City Manager Don Cooper said the boundary was a county line and therefore not the city's concern.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Becker Rd/I 95 Workshop & Presentation
The City of Port St. Lucie is hosting a public workshop to let you know what's being planned for the Becker Road/I-95 interchange, and the city needs to hear from you. The workshop will be at the Community Center on Airoso Boulevard on Wednesday, March 8th, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Call (866) 785-8243 for details
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Real Estate Investment Reimbursement Notification
Have you received in your mailbox recently, a notice that states "In accordance with the real property statues of the State of Florida, the REI Reimbursement Program was recently developed to reward homeowners for investing in the high appreciating properties located in the 34983 zip code. The REU Reimbursement Program is your chance to be reimbursed for the financial investment you have made in your property. You may be entitled to a cash reimbursement up to $$$."
The definition of reimbursement is "to pay back to someone". This company has NO interest in paying you any money. This is another mortgage company that is hoping that their marketing idea will cause the phone to ring!
An excerpt from a recent RIS Media newsletter stated "As the market contracts and margins thin, lenders are under more pressure to accept loans of dubious quality. In response to the desire to keep loan volumes up, lenders may be more tempted to not look too closely at loans. Fraudsters understand this, and may try to take advantage of the situation by pushing through loans containing material misrepresentation. "
Read everything before signing and get a second opinion when dealing with out of town mortgage companies!!
The definition of reimbursement is "to pay back to someone". This company has NO interest in paying you any money. This is another mortgage company that is hoping that their marketing idea will cause the phone to ring!
An excerpt from a recent RIS Media newsletter stated "As the market contracts and margins thin, lenders are under more pressure to accept loans of dubious quality. In response to the desire to keep loan volumes up, lenders may be more tempted to not look too closely at loans. Fraudsters understand this, and may try to take advantage of the situation by pushing through loans containing material misrepresentation. "
Read everything before signing and get a second opinion when dealing with out of town mortgage companies!!
Wal-Mart to build one more Port St. Lucie site
By ROBERT BARBA robert.barba@scripps.com March 2, 2006
PORT ST. LUCIE — The city is a little closer to being a three Super Wal-Mart town, as the company moves forward with plans at Gatlin Commons.
The Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant paid $18.8 million late last month to master developers Gatlin Group Holdings for future sites of a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a Sam's Club, according to public records. The deed is for 76 acres at the intersection of Gatlin Boulevard and Rosser Boulevard.
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