GOVERNMENT
to lug canoes a long distance to the river.
A 5-acre habitat restoration area was also created with
scrub and scrubby flatwoods to lure scrub jays. Although jays
are nearby at Savannas Preserve State Park, they have not
been recorded on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River since
1984. The habitat restoration area is also home for relocated
gopher tortoises.
One of several mitigation projects funded by the city, the
new launch provides recreation and ecotourism opportunities
for residents and visitors as compensation for crossing stateowned
lands with the Crosstown Parkway Bridge Project.
Further to the northeast, a new trail offers wilderness hiking
and access to the rich biodiversity of pine flatwoods, wet
prairie marsh, lakes, scrub and wildlife along an 8-foot wide
paved path. The trailhead begins at the Savannas Recreation
Area campground and stretches 1.25 miles from Midway
Road to Savannah Road. This critical link is part of the St.
Lucie North/South trail system that connects to the Green
River Parkway Trail and is also a segment of the East Coast
Greenway, a multi-state trail linking east coast cities from
Maine to Key West. Several amenities were incorporated for
the public’s enjoyment: benches to observe natural surroundings
Sherry Batchelor Vice-President/Branch Manager (NMLS# 1193780)
9815 S US Highway 1, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
(772)408-5940
Lori Wuchte Vice President/Branch Manager (NMLS# 806168)
5001 Okeechobee Rd. (Across from Walmart), Fort Pierce, FL 34947
CenterState B A N K
We Believe In You
Port St. Lucie Magazine 45
and bridges for natural water flow.
EDUCATION CENTER EXPANDED
Another joint investment was a 3,000 sq. ft. addition to the
Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center off Walton
Road in Port St. Lucie. The new wing will advance awareness
of the wetland biodiversity while offering rental space to
hold weddings, meetings, and other memorable events.
The design includes a breezeway between the existing
building and the addition that includes a wet lab, multi-purpose
room, large lecture space and offices. A concrete parking
lot, handicap ramp, wrap-around observation deck and
improved trail features were added to upgrade the perimeter.
Once educational signs, hiking trails, wildlife blinds, a canoe
launch and picnic tables are completed, staff will apply to
have the preserve added to the Great Florida Birding Trail.
One impact has many residents concerned: The city will
be home to Florida’s first superstreet intersection — known
technically as a restricted-crossing U-turn intersection — positioned
at Crosstown Parkway and Floresta Drive when the
$150 million project is set to be completed in 2019.
The configuration is said to reduce the number of collision
points from 32 at a conventional intersection down to 14,
according to experts, but other states have not been so eager
to try this type of traffic control. Tight transportation budgets
and traffic congestion made it appealing.
A major education outreach is planned to assure that the
superstreet is a safe, efficient choice to keep traffic flowing.
For residents in the area being affected by the changes, there
is help.
“Many residents have called the project hotline with questions,”
says Beth Zsoka, the project’s public information officer.
“This is an important project for the city and the community
and we want to work closely with residents throughout
the project.”
The hotline, which can be reached at 871-5176, serves as a
resource for those in the community to connect directly with
the project team, make inquiries and express concerns. For
more information, email Zsoka at beth.zsoka@QCAusa.com
or call 475-5874. E
CenterState Bank is Known for
Building Relationships!
Visit one of our Convenient Locations and Let us Help you with all your Banking Needs!
(772)460-2242
Tammy Roncaglione Sr. Vice President/Community President-St. Lucie County (NMLS # 1199901)
Jarrod Trefelner Vice President/Commercial Loan Officer (NMLS # 1189742)
· Local Decision-Making
· Accountability & Easy Accessibility
· Free Personal & Business Checking Accounts
· Money Market Accounts
· Personal, Residential & Commercial Loans
· Home Equity Lines of Credit
· Car Loans
· Construction Loans
· Wealth and Treasury Management
Enjoy CenterState Bank’s
Personalized Services...
www.centerstatebank.com
/www.centerstatebank.com
/www.centerstatebank.com
link