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Stuart commission asks FDOT and MPO to pursue no‑build for Willoughby Boulevard extension
Summary
After public comment from affected residents, the City of Stuart Commission voted unanimously to ask FDOT and the Martin MPO to pursue the No‑Build alternative for the Willoughby Boulevard PD&E project, citing potential home loss, park and watershed impacts and incomplete outreach to renters.
The City of Stuart Commission voted unanimously to request that the Florida Department of Transportation and the Martin Metropolitan Planning Organization pursue the No‑Build (Option 3) alternative for the Willoughby Boulevard Project Development & Environment (PD&E) study.
The PD&E study, which began June 25, 2025 and is scheduled to conclude in August 2028, currently analyzes two corridor alternatives and the No‑Build option. Vice Mayor Reid, who represents the city on the MPO, urged the commission to endorse the no‑build position after commissioners and several residents described potential harms to neighborhoods, Popleton Creek Park and local watersheds.
Local residents told the commission they were surprised by mail and outreach patterns and by the prospect that Corridor 1 could require right‑of‑way and eminent domain action along existing streets such as Alhambra. Luke Latham, a Seaside Townhomes resident, said the area turnout at an October 2025 FDOT community meeting favored the no‑build option and asked the commission to reflect that sentiment.
Mayor Christopher Collins said the city’s position should be clear: remove the project from active pursuit and adopt the no‑build alternative. The commission instructed staff to send a letter expressing the city’s preference to both FDOT and the MPO. The motion passed on a roll call with all commissioners voting yes.
