Editorial: Seizing the opportunity

Staff Reports

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Historic.

This may be the word future generations of Stuart residents use to describe the City Commission’s recent, strategic purchase of the Arthur’s Dockside Waterfront Restaurant property adjacent to City Hall.

The future of City Hall — should it stay put or be relocated? — and the downtown waterfront — should the city approve the construction of condos, retail shops, a parking garage? — has long been a subject of discussion and debate in our community.

Several times in recent years developers have attempted to advance proposals to redevelop the city-owned property. In 2006, Stuart residents, seeking to ensure a voice on this critical issue, overwhelmingly supported an initiative requiring a referendum before the city can sell or lease waterfront property.

But the X-factor in the waterfront-development issue has always been Arthur’s Dockside — the lone property north of St. Lucie Avenue not under city control.

This is about to change — if the city’s plans proceed according to schedule.

City commissioners were prepared to bid on the property at a Nov. 5 foreclosure sale. But after the public auction was cancelled — one of the mortgage holders on the Dockside property filed for bankrupcty — the commission accepted an offer to buy the property directly from the owner, Paradise Enterprises of Brevard Inc.

“This is the greatest opportunity the city will have in a long time to get this last piece of the puzzle,” said Vice Mayor Michael Mortell of the pending $4.43 million deal.

The city has until Feb. 27 to negotiate with lien holders.

The beauty of the commission’s acquisition of Arthur’s Dockside is that it will give the city complete control over the redevelopment of the downtown waterfront area.

In 2006, when this issue was a hot topic, then-Mayor Carol Waxler challenged residents to articulate their vision for the city-owned property north of St. Lucie Avenue.

Shortly thereafter, the News’ editorial board printed a plan developed by Dan Braden, a Stuart architect with Braden & Braden. It is reproduced on this page — not as the sole alternative, but as one of many potential answers to the question, “What is the future of downtown Stuart?”

Let the discussion and debate begin.

HOW WOULD YOU PULL THIS OFF?

There could be numerous ways to do this, but one that might make the most sense. Put the concept through public hearings. If residents and council are interested, get word out that someday, such a project could be built. Developers interested in the project would ask to buy part of and/or lease the Town Hall property. Revenue from leases or sales of property, and incremental property taxes generated in area,would help fund the project. Grants for parks,

riverfront preservation may be available.

COST?

No idea; good ideas are priceless. That’s for Realtors, developers and city planners to determine.

DESIGNED BY:

Dan Braden, a Stuart architect with Braden & Braden, with input from the News editorial board. Braden’s father, Philip, designed the current City Hall, built in the early 1970s, and the restaurant next door. The younger Braden designed a City Hall addition more than 15 years later.

ARCHITECT’S COMMENTS

“I think it is important to emphasize that this plan is to show what may be possible in the long term. It is a plan that can be moved toward at a slow pace. The properties need to be assembled, mainly the restaurant. “The main building could be built first. When completed, the existing City Hall could be demolished to allow for the waterfront boulevard and the park. This plan allows for total public use and access with no private ownership, thus eliminating the possibility of future restrictions.

“The building and adjacent plazas will allow for views to the water across the open green space. The green parkway adjacent to the river becomes an ideal place for weekday lunches and weekend art shows.

“Most of all, the public should understand this is an idea to start discussion and hopefully start us on the direction of one day having a riverfront that is an asset to the general public.” — Dan Braden