Martin County CRA unveils Dixie Highway streetscape plan and Rio Civic Center redevelopment concepts

Consultants from Marlin Engineering and Dover, Kohl & Partners on Monday presented draft concepts for a Dixie Highway streetscape and a Rio Civic Center master plan to the Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency, laying out two Civic Center site alternatives and a set of streetscape design and traffic‑calming options that staff said will be refined through public outreach this winter.

"My name is Christina Furman. I'm with Marlin Engineering, and I'm here today with, Pablo Duenas, who is with, Dover Collin Partners," Christina Furman said as she opened the presentation and described the concurrent schedules for both projects, including public meetings and a return to the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) in January.

The consultants presented community survey and demographic findings for Rio: a population of about 2,500, a median age near 56, roughly one‑third of residents aged 65 or older, a homeownership rate near 97 percent and an estimated poverty rate of about 12 percent. The consultants also reported that more than 80 percent of households have three or more cars and that about 90 percent of commuters drive alone.

Survey responses showed the most popular desired Civic Center uses were community events and festivals, followed by community…