Tequesta weighs Remembrance Park Phase 2, Old Dixie landscaping and a tree‑rebate program

Councilors on March 7 discussed several items tied to community appearance: funding and timing for Remembrance Park Phase 2, possible collaboration with the Tequesta library and post office on a connected public space, beautification along Old Dixie (an FEC right‑of‑way the village leases) and a proposed tree rebate program for residents.

Remembrance Park Phase 2: Staff reported that phase 2 has an estimated construction cost of about $1.2 million and that the village previously authorized roughly $103,000 for planning services but deferred action until phase 1 use patterns were clearer. The mayor and multiple councilors said they favored continuing to explore the second phase, but several noted they would like more information from the library director before committing funds so the village could consider a coordinated design that might serve both library patrons and nearby residents.

Old Dixie and gateways: Councilors and staff discussed the difficulty of undertaking significant improvements on Old Dixie because the right‑of‑way is owned by the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) and the village pays an annual lease and maintenance fee. Staff said the county had conditions for matching funds that the village found legally and financially restrictive; councilors asked for further study and for staff to propose lower‑risk steps such as hedges and low‑maintenance plantings in the FEC right‑of‑way.

Tree rebate program: Staff proposed moving from a city‑planted “adopt a tree” model to a rebate program. Under the draft concept, residents would buy an approved tree and receive a partial rebate after submitting a receipt and meeting siting criteria (examples cited by staff included a $50 rebate for certain 5‑gallon trees, higher amounts for larger containers and an annual city rebate pool used to subsidize several dozen trees). Staff said the program could be combined with existing Tree City USA commitments and that a budget decision would be part of the coming fiscal process.

Why it matters With the surtax sunsetting, councilors are deciding how to keep visible capital and beautification projects moving — either by redirecting existing funds, saving for future phases, or changing program delivery (for example, a rebate program that lets residents pick species and locations). Collaboration with library and federal post office property owners could broaden funding options but would require early coordination.

Next steps Staff will provide updated cost and partnership information for Remembrance Park Phase 2, outline lower‑risk Old Dixie planting options and supply a recommended budget and eligibility for a tree‑rebate program during the upcoming budget process.