Publix Super Markets plans to start construction in June on a new 55,000-square-foot store at the Shoppes at St. Lucie West that will be open for business a year later.
The Port St. Lucie City Council Monday approved the site plan for the new Publix and a special exception to allow drive-through pharmacy service.
Several council members also vowed to try to reduce traffic congestion along St. Lucie Boulevard and the roads that funnel into the city’s busiest commercial strip.
“Right now, I’m embarrassed by St. Lucie Boulevard,” said Mayor Greg Oravec about the congested east-west corridor.
Traffic flow is expected to improve on St. Lucie West Boulevard in the fall after Crosstown Parkway opens, Oravec said. The city also plans to improve major intersections on St. Lucie West Boulevard next year.
“I think we have to look at a comprehensive traffic plan in St. Lucie West after Crosstown opens,” said Councilman John Carvelli. Three residents of the Lakes subdivision behind the shopping center said they were concerned the Publix traffic would make it harder to get in and out of Northwest Amherst Drive, the access to their community.
“We do only have one point of access,” said Louis Nigro, a Lakes homeowner. “It’s very concerning to us the increased traffic will cripple our ability to get in and out of the community.”
Margaret Newman, a Lakes homeowner, said “we love Publix. We’re not opposed to the drive-through. What we’re concerned about is the traffic.”
The council directed City Manager Russ Blackburn to work with the shopping center owner and the homeowners to try to address the traffic concerns about Northwest Amherst Drive.
Brad Currie, a land planner representing the Shoppes at St. Lucie West, said he doesn’t expect the new Publix to generate any more traffic than the existing 69,619-square-foot store it will replace. The 27-year-old building that houses the Publix at the Shoppes will be repurposed and leased, Currie said at a previous meeting.
The new Publix will be built on part of the vacant tract between LA Fitness and Northwest Central Park Plaza, Currie said. It’s the last vacant land left in the Shoppes.
The Shoppes owner has not yet decided how to develop the rest of the property, which can accommodate up to 64,020 square feet of retail space, Currie said.
“Retail is a tough market,” Currie told the council. “My client is extremely happy Publix has decided to go there because we had a hard time finding another user for that piece (of property).”
The new Publix with drive-through pharmacy service will be similar to the one at PGA Village/Verano, Currie said.
A traffic signal will be installed at Bethany Drive and St. Lucie West Boulevard as part of the project, Currie said.
