MARTIN COUNTY — The possible extension of a busy road here is raising concerns about property values, wildlife habitat, more development and noise.
The Florida Department of Transportation is studying extending Southeast Willoughby Boulevard from Southeast Monterey Road to Southeast Federal Highway. The extension would be aimed at reducing congestion by providing a north-south alternative to roads such as Kanner Highway and U.S. 1, according to FDOT.
FDOT is to hold a meeting to hear from the public at 5:30 p.m. June 26 at the 10th Street Community Center, 724 Southeast 10th St., Stuart.
Poppleton Creek Park, along Southeast Central Parkway, could be affected by the extension.
“Fewer green space is in Martin County, in Stuart, Florida, so this is near and dear to me,” Luke Latham, a Seaside Townhomes resident, said about the park, as he strolled around its lake.
FDOT has two concepts for a Willoughby extension, and in both, it would run along the east side of the park. Latham is afraid birds at the park, such as great blue herons, could be affected.
The northern end of Willoughby Boulevard is at Monterey Road, before the road goes past Martin County High School, Costco and the Martin County Tax Collector’s Office and to Cove Road.
FDOT did not respond to some questions about the project. There’s not yet an estimated cost, and while the state has allocated money to study the project, no money has been earmarked for the work.
One concept
One version of the plan extends Willoughby Boulevard north onto Southeast Alhambra Street until Alhambra Street ends.
From there, it would run on vacant land between Serenity Stuart, an apartment community, and Seaside Townhomes.
Then it would cross Central Parkway, travel along the eastern edge of the park and cut through a swath of trees until it connected with U.S. 1.
That path “poses a serious threat to our community,” said Seaside Townhomes resident Juliana Harten dos Reis. “Its implementation would result in years of disruptive construction noise, significantly affecting the quality of life for residents — particularly those living along Angler Avenue. In addition to the noise, this project would likely cause a decline in our property values, something that greatly concerns homeowners like myself.”
Another concept
An alternative route would begin near the intersection of Willoughby and the Martin County Jail access road.
Willoughby would go northeast until it connects with Southeast Ray’s Way. The extension would follow Ray’s Way to Central Parkway.
It then would travel along Central Parkway to Poppleton Creek Park, where it again would follow the east side of the park.
It then would cut through the same swath of trees before intersecting with U.S. 1.
While this concept “may seem like a less intrusive alternative, it still presents serious issues by encroaching on Poppleton Creek Park and what remains of our valuable green space,” Harten dos Reis said. “This area is one of the few remaining natural resources in our neighborhood and should be protected.”
Keith Burbank is TCPalm’s watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at keith.burbank@tcpalm.com and at 720-288-6882.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Willoughby Blvd. extension may relieve other streets, but will it hurt quality of life?
Reporting by Keith Burbank, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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