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Tequesta staff to seek official East Coast Greenway and SunTrail designation for US 1 segment
Summary
Presenters told the Village Council that the stretch of US 1 through Tequesta is eligible for formal inclusion in the East Coast Greenway and Florida's SunTrail network, and staff will bring a resolution to the council to request designation after confirming there will be no immediate local cost.
City staff and regional trail advocates asked the Village Council on May 4 to formally request that the Village of Tequesta's segment of US 1 be designated as part of the East Coast Greenway and Florida's SunTrail network. Jay Hutch, community development director, said the request would be "a formality" and that, if council supports it, staff will return with a resolution.
Kim Delaney of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council outlined the state trail context and economic rationale for designation. She said Florida's trail maps identify roughly 15,000 miles of corridor and that the SunTrail and East Coast Greenway are among the state's premium shared‑use networks. Delaney cited the council's regional economic analysis, saying a small share of the network can generate substantial local economic activity — visitor spending, higher property values and jobs — and that designation can make the village more competitive for sidewalk, signage and placemaking funding administered through FDOT and regional MPOs.
Allison Berson, National Greenway Director for the East Coast Greenway Alliance, described the Alliance's mission and the Alliance's role in advocacy and fundraising. "We are working on connecting Maine to Florida with a fully protected separated walking and biking path," she said, framing designation as a way to recognize an existing facility and draw regional attention rather than as a requirement to immediately reconstruct the corridor.
Council discussion focused on two practical issues: whether designation would create an unfunded local obligation and how any future roadway reconfigurations would affect traffic capacity on US 1. One council member asked directly for written confirmation that designation would carry "no cost to us," and Hutch said staff would confirm that in writing before bringing a resolution. Hutch and Delaney also described ongoing coordination with the town of Jupiter and FDOT; Jupiter is funding a SunTrail feasibility/design study that reaches the village's southern boundary, and the presenters recommended coordination where the alignments meet.
A resident, Kimberly Windisch, spoke during public comment in support of designation and noted potential tourism and event benefits. Hutch said the next step would be for staff to draft and present a resolution for council consideration.
The council did not vote on the designation at the workshop; Hutch said staff will return with the resolution and documentation (including the written confirmation on local costs) at a future meeting.
