Downtown undergrounding, Seminole Streetscape on track; conduit work due Nov. 2025, landscaping into 2026

Pinald Gandhi Satvis presented an update on the downtown undergrounding and Seminole Streetscape project to the Stuart Community Redevelopment Agency on Aug. 25, reporting the contractors are finishing directional drilling and conduit installation and that Seminole Street construction is underway in three segments. "They are currently finishing up the directional drilling and installation of conduits on all the streets," Satvis said. The project budget is approximately $8,700,000 and the construction contract was awarded to Burkhart Construction. Satvis said the city holds regular monthly meetings with merchants and property owners and has created temporary delivery zones on Flagler and Osceola streets while Seminole Street work proceeds. The presentation estimated conduit work and most streetscape elements will be completed by November 2025. Landscaping will follow later because the city must wait for FP&L to remove utility poles in some areas; Satvis said landscaping is expected to be completed by November 2026 after customers are switched from overhead to underground service during the November 2025–November 2026 timeframe. Contractor representative CJ (Burkhart Construction) told the board the work is early in the schedule and it is premature to identify specific dollar amounts saved, but that the project is "doing very well on the budget" and he did not foresee issues meeting the contract budget. Discussion vs. decision: the update was informational; the board asked about budget oversight and public complaints. No new vote or formal direction was taken at the meeting. Background and next steps: staff will continue monthly outreach to merchants, finish conduit installation this fall, then energize the underground system and switch customers over through late 2026; pole removals and landscaping are contingent on FP&L schedule.