Proposed Port St. Lucie soccer stadium sparks debate among residents

A proposal to build a new professional soccer stadium in Port St. Lucie is drawing mixed reactions from residents, with some excited about the potential for new amenities and others raising concerns about traffic and city spending priorities.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25The project would transform a currently vacant parking lot into a 6,000-seat stadium within the next two years, if the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) and City Council approve it. City officials say the facility would be part of a larger community redevelopment plan aimed at boosting local entertainment options.“As you think about what a community redevelopment organization can be, it’s an opportunity to create a place that’s walkable, it has a place where there are things to do for residents. This is really the first step into what we envision being a very walkable, very dynamic location,” said Scott Samples, public information officer for the City of Port St. Lucie. An online petition opposing the project has already gathered more than 700 signatures. Organizers cite concerns about increased traffic and argue that the city should prioritize other needs such as infrastructure and youth recreation.Some residents who live nearby, however, say they see the potential benefits of a new sports venue.“It’s a great thing, it’ll be good. It’ll bring more people to our town, and we have a soccer game going on,” said resident Michelle Tynan.Others aren’t so sure.“Port St. Lucie is full of older people so in reality I don’t think that a soccer field would be that beneficial,” said resident Beatriz Vina. Samples said the city is aware of traffic concerns and is working to develop a plan to address them as part of the operational agreement between the city and team owners.“For those game days there will need to be work with the Port St. Lucie Police Department to create a traffic mitigation plan,” Samples said. “So, during a game there will be police out moving traffic along.”The city anticipates 15 to 20 home games per season, depending on playoff performance. But as a mixed-use development officials say this will enhance sports tourism and become a hub – sports and entertainment district for the city.”The opportunity to have a stadium right here on US 1 will transform the east side of the city so it’s not just a soccer stadium … concert venue, special events, maybe cultural events will play, outdoor theater, things of that nature,” said Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Director Brad Kean.“We have up to 24 days where the city can have different events that would take place there, and so that would always be a part of that. How can we make sure that we are continuing to keep traffic flowing, making sure people are safe,” Samples said. “That’s always going to be the priority we have as a city.”Some residents say limited event days make the traffic impact manageable.“I feel like if it’s that little bit, because if it’s just 15-20 days then there would only be traffic on those certain days,” Vina said. “So yeah, it’s good new things are always good but it’s just for sure we are going to have traffic.” Residents behind the petition argue that the city should redirect the money toward other projects. Samples said city leaders are already investing in infrastructure and youth recreation, and that the stadium project is meant to complement those efforts, not replace them. “We’re also doing a tremendous amount in terms of building new parks and amenities. Traditional regional park is being built right now, it’s under construction but it has multipurpose fields, baseball fields, softball and it will have a first of its kind BMX bike track,” Samples said no taxpayer money from the city’s general fund will be used for this project.”Our cap is at 27.5 million. Those funds are TIF (Tax increment revenue) funds those funds can only be used in this CRA area,”Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —

A proposal to build a new professional soccer stadium in Port St. Lucie is drawing mixed reactions from residents, with some excited about the potential for new amenities and others raising concerns about traffic and city spending priorities.

Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25

The project would transform a currently vacant parking lot into a 6,000-seat stadium within the next two years, if the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) and City Council approve it. City officials say the facility would be part of a larger community redevelopment plan aimed at boosting local entertainment options.

“As you think about what a community redevelopment organization can be, it’s an opportunity to create a place that’s walkable, it has a place where there are things to do for residents. This is really the first step into what we envision being a very walkable, very dynamic location,” said Scott Samples, public information officer for the City of Port St. Lucie.

An online petition opposing the project has already gathered more than 700 signatures. Organizers cite concerns about increased traffic and argue that the city should prioritize other needs such as infrastructure and youth recreation.

Some residents who live nearby, however, say they see the potential benefits of a new sports venue.

“It’s a great thing, it’ll be good. It’ll bring more people to our town, and we have a soccer game going on,” said resident Michelle Tynan.

Others aren’t so sure.

“Port St. Lucie is full of older people so in reality I don’t think that a soccer field would be that beneficial,” said resident Beatriz Vina.

Samples said the city is aware of traffic concerns and is working to develop a plan to address them as part of the operational agreement between the city and team owners.

“For those game days there will need to be work with the Port St. Lucie Police Department to create a traffic mitigation plan,” Samples said. “So, during a game there will be police out moving traffic along.”

The city anticipates 15 to 20 home games per season, depending on playoff performance. But as a mixed-use development officials say this will enhance sports tourism and become a hub – sports and entertainment district for the city.

“The opportunity to have a stadium right here on US 1 will transform the east side of the city so it’s not just a soccer stadium … concert venue, special events, maybe cultural events will play, outdoor theater, things of that nature,” said Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Director Brad Kean.

“We have up to 24 days where the city can have different events that would take place there, and so that would always be a part of that. How can we make sure that we are continuing to keep traffic flowing, making sure people are safe,” Samples said. “That’s always going to be the priority we have as a city.”

Some residents say limited event days make the traffic impact manageable.

“I feel like if it’s that little bit, because if it’s just 15-20 days then there would only be traffic on those certain days,” Vina said. “So yeah, it’s good new things are always good but it’s just for sure we are going to have traffic.”

Residents behind the petition argue that the city should redirect the money toward other projects. Samples said city leaders are already investing in infrastructure and youth recreation, and that the stadium project is meant to complement those efforts, not replace them. “We’re also doing a tremendous amount in terms of building new parks and amenities. Traditional regional park is being built right now, it’s under construction but it has multipurpose fields, baseball fields, softball and it will have a first of its kind BMX bike track,”

Samples said no taxpayer money from the city’s general fund will be used for this project.”Our cap is at 27.5 million. Those funds are TIF (Tax increment revenue) funds those funds can only be used in this CRA area,”

Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.