Residents throughout the City of Port St. Lucie have routinely had to describe the location of their neighborhoods by using cross streets and landmarks. Soon, though, that will change – 17 communities will finally have a name, one that the residents themselves have selected.
Communities including the roughly-named Monterrey could have new, more permanent names and get monument signs near major entrances and way-finding signs that help communicate the cohesion of the neighborhood.
Monterrey is located south of Crosstown Parkway, and bounded to the east by Del Rio and SW California and SW Savona to the west and south. Residents can choose from five names submitted: Monterrey Bend, Monterrey Trails, Palm Gardens, Palm Trails and Poinciana Place.
The city’s NICE (Neighborhood Improvement & Community Engagement) program is working to help redevelop a sense of identity for this and other residential areas left without names, parks and other community infrastructure by developer General Development Corp., which did the bulk of residential development – approximately 80,000 lots – in the city prior to the 1990s.
NICE is funded through a portion of the city’s recycling proceeds, explained NICE director Carmen Capezzuto. Small parks, fitness stations, bicycle racks, bus shelters and other small community improvements are funded through NICE.
“Let them know they are literally throwing money away,” Capezzuto told the audience who turned out for a community meeting regarding the naming process last week.
During that presentation, Capezutto explained that residents have through Jan. 31 to vote for their neighborhood’s name, and the name with the most votes will be revealed during the Port St. Lucie’s inaugural NICE Day Block Party at City Hall on Feb. 17.
The benefits of having a defined community, Capezzuto said, include getting a city-run community website. That website not only will have information pertinent to that community – such as garbage and recycling schedules – but will also be a portal and interface to communicate with the NICE department directly about concerns.
Communities will also get permanent mounts for special-event banners to advertise events in the community, which will help cut down on sign clutter.
And, by having a defined community with specific geographic boundaries, residents within such can vote on improvements they’d like to see in their neighborhoods – be it a new park, sidewalks, lighting, speed humps for traffic calming, or other items.
The Woodland Trails community voted on a neighborhood park, which includes a dog park area. That park was funded with recycling dollars, according to Capezzuto.
The NICE program has collected more than $1 million over the last two years in recycling revenue to cover the department’s costs.
Those watching the meeting via the city’s Facebook live stream posted questions and got real-time responses. Some of those questions were about sidewalks and the “need” for neighborhoods when the city has other, more pressing needs.
Mayor Gregory Oravec, who sat among the audience during one of three presentations, told the residents that the city has a 10-year master plan for sidewalks – but even still, the city is focused on installing and maintaining sidewalks along major and arterial roads, linking schools and parks.
“We’re leaving no stone unturned,” he said in finding revenues for the projects. As for residential sidewalks, the mayor said that decision should be left up to the neighborhoods. “Sidewalks are a highly local decision.”
After the meeting Capezzuto told St. Lucie Voice that it would be impossible to please everyone and get everyone to agree with how the Port St. Lucie is using its money. Nonetheless, he feels the NICE program serves the public good and improves the city overall.
“People are tired of not having an identity,” he said, also noting that once the neighborhoods are established, residents can work together, collaborate and help the city help them.
For more information about the NICE program, visit www.cityofpsl.com/nice.