TCPalm: Stuart commissioners delay decision on Sailfish Park

Article Posted on November 27, 2018

By: Lisa Broadt, Treasure Coast Newspapers

STUART — After more than six hours of discussion Monday, commissioners failed to reach a consensus on whether to redevelop Sailfish Park.

The city was considering selling 10.8 acres of city-owned land in East Stuart — including the ball fields and the city's public works facility — to either New Urban Communities or Rich Properties for redevelopment.

More than 100 baseball players and family members showed up at City Hall for the emotional debate, which stretched from an afternoon Community Redevelopment Agency meeting into the evening City Commission meeting.

Commissioners, at one point, appeared to be leaning toward a plan that would have sold the park to New Urban with the caveat that two new baseball fields would be built at nearby Guy Davis Park before redevelopment work at Sailfish could begin.

But, after hearing additional public comment, commissioners scrapped that idea and instead voted 4-1 to table further discussion for at least 90 days — despite City Manager David Dyess urging them not to delay the issue.

"This is a merry-go-round we've been on for eight years," Dyess said. "The emotion of these kids here tonight, it's terrible. We need to make a decision."

New Urban — which currently is developing Azul Apartments on the city-owned Triangle Property — has offered to buy the property for $3.24 million and has proposed building 40 townhouses, 228 rental apartment units, an 80-room hotel and a 4,000-square foot shared work space/office, according to an application with the city. Rich Properties has offered $3.12 million and proposed 240 apartments in a non-gated, open-access community with a swimming pool, dog park, gym and clubhouse.

The public works complex would be relocated from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, possibly to the old city landfill on Monterey Road, according to the city…


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