Stuart CRA approves Stittman neighborhood drainage, sidewalk plans after resident input

The City of Stuart Community Redevelopment Agency voted Oct. 27 to approve conceptual plans for drainage and sidewalk improvements in the Stittman neighborhood and authorized staff to prepare final construction documents.

CRA director Pinal Gandhi Savda told the board the project was prioritized after residents raised drainage concerns and that the agency secured a state grant for stormwater work: “the project was awarded $1,600,000 for drainage improvements,” she said. Staff said the drainage work should be implemented first so it does not harm any future sidewalk construction.

Consultant Joe Capra of CapTech Engineering presented the conceptual design and schedule. He described sidewalk placement on one side of most streets (the north side of Fifth Street and the west side of Cortez Avenue), crosswalks at stop-sign intersections, decorative street lights and three locations where the road would be narrowed to two 8-foot lanes to calm traffic. Capra said the design estimates include contingencies and that construction would need to begin early next year to meet grant timelines: “it’s probably about a 15 month project,” he said, and noted the grant requires the city to pay costs up front for subsequent reimbursement.

The presentation included a stormwater plan with new pipes, inlets and conveyance to nearby ponds, a treatment-train approach and potential use of baffle boxes, bioswales or other treatment methods. CapTech and CRA staff estimated the concept-level total—including drainage, sidewalks, narrowed-street work, consultant fees and contingencies—at roughly $4.3 million to $4.8 million; staff flagged contingencies and options such as decorative lighting and resurfacing as additional, sometimes optional, costs.

Board members and residents raised multiple concerns during a question-and-answer period. Commissioner Reid and others asked whether the narrower lanes would allow safe passage for emergency vehicles, garbage trucks and residents with trailers; staff said the fire department reviewed the plans and accepted the proposed 16-foot overall travel width. Residents asked that design avoid damaging mature landscaping and that any sidewalk design not create a barrier preventing backyard drainage. Longtime resident Kevin Hempel, who gave his address and described decades of work on his property, told the board: “Please do not construct a dam that will prevent the water from sheet flowing out of our backyard to the existing drain.”

Several residents, including Peter and Maria Martinez and Glenn Collins, said they support the improvements for drainage and traffic calming. One resident, Ed Stout, urged the Boys & Girls Club to direct pick-up and drop-off traffic to its main entrance to reduce neighborhood cut-through traffic.

After discussion, Board member Clark moved to adopt Resolution 08-2025-CRA authorizing staff to proceed with preparation of final construction documents; the motion was seconded by the vice mayor (name not specified) and passed on a roll call vote, 6–1. The board recorded six yes votes and one no vote by Board member Reid. Staff said they will return with final design documents and that construction procurement will follow the grant and permitting schedule.