Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approve the Selection of an Alternative Neighborhood Gathering/Green Space Site
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Submitted By: Nikki Zheng, Civic Designer, Strategic Initiatives & Innovation
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of Strategic Growth for a Resilient Future.
Executive Summary (General Business): Previously, the City Council approved four sites as pilot neighborhood gathering spaces. Following Council direction on site development and further analysis, staff is recommending a change to one of the site locations.
Presentation Information: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the recommended alternate site and shift the budgeted funds accordingly.
Alternate Recommendation:
1. Move that the Council provide staff direction
Background: The City Council previously approved four pilot sites owned by the City of Port St. Lucie for the Neighborhood Gathering/Green Spaces project, one per Council district, previously identified by Neighborhood Services Department. Since the project has transitioned to the Parks and Recreation Department, the District 2 site was successfully transformed through community outreach and site improvements, retaining much of its natural beauty. The goal is to replicate this model in other park-deficient neighborhoods.
Staff is requesting to shift the Neighborhood Gathering/Green Space project site in District 4 from Berkshire & Blackwell to SW Lovell Terrace & SW Hiawatha Street in the Whispering Pine neighborhood due to feasibility, cost, and community engagement advantages.
Issues/Analysis: During site assessments, staff determined that the originally selected District 4 parcel at Berkshire & Blackwell is approximately 90% overgrown with invasive species. Remediation would require substantial funding, along with additional community education and outreach to support the transformation to remove invasive species and to replant the parcel.
In contrast, the propo...
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