🌅🏡1,000 New Homes Coming to St. Lucie

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Friday! Talking to my designer friend Brian, he hesitated when I asked, "Have you been reading Sunland News?" And too be honest, even I felt weird asking—like a parent asking, "Have you been eating your vegetables?" He said, "Yes, but I’ve been skimming it." The next words nearly bungee-jumped out of my mouth: "Yes, that’s the point! You’re supposed to!" Life is busy; life is hard. The newsletter is designed to fit somewhere in there, no matter how you go about using it. Alright, that’s it—let’s get to it!

🎉 Shoutout: Pepe’s Cantina Grand Opening! Pepe’s Cantina is officially opening its doors in Port St. Lucie on Friday, January 31st! 🌮

🥩 Want to Try: Val’s Brazilian Grill Val’s Brazilian Grill is brand new to Port St. Lucie, bringing a taste of Brazil with their authentic steakhouse experience.

❄️ Situational Awareness: It’s cold, and it’s getting colder. Percy Peek Gym is open today until temperatures reach over 60°F. Free transport available.

🌡️ Weather Update: It’s Not Snowing, But It’s Freezing

☁️ Day: High of 54°F | 🌧️ Slight chance of rain
🌙 Night: Low of 40°F | ❄️ Clear skies and cold
🌅 Sunrise: 7:10 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 5:57 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “This Love” by Maroon 5

🍋 The Main Squeeze: St. Lucie Approves 1,000 New Homes for 55+ Community

Quick Take:
St. Lucie County commissioners approved “The Reverie at Solaeris,” a new 55+ subdivision in Oak Ridge Ranches. The development will feature 1,000 homes on 326 acres, plus an amenity center and wetland preservation areas.

Why It Matters:
Rapid growth in St. Lucie County has raised concerns about density, traffic, and maintaining the county’s natural character. This project aims to balance housing needs with thoughtful planning, offering a lower density of three homes per acre compared to more crowded developments in Port St. Lucie. Although, there is still concern of the impacts this will have locally.

Community Impact:
The project includes:

• Housing: 1,000 new homes for 55+ residents.

• Amenities: Six acres for an amenity center and 27 acres for wetland preservation.

• Retail: Planned stores and retailers along Range Line Road to reduce traffic and improve convenience for residents.

What’s Next:
Construction timelines are still to be announced. Officials stress the need for “picky and choosy” growth moving forward, ensuring future developments meet community needs without compromising quality of life.

👉 What do you think? Share your thoughts here!

🍊 The Press Round: What Local is Saying

⚾ The Mets Are Back!

The New York Mets, including newly acquired Juan Soto, return to Port St. Lucie for Spring Training in February. Open workouts on Clover Park’s backfields start Feb. 12—free to attend.

👉 Dive Deeper Here

🚰 St. Lucie County Repeals Fluoride Ordinance

St. Lucie County commissioners voted unanimously to repeal a 1989 ordinance requiring municipalities to add fluoride to water. Cities like Port St. Lucie now decide for themselves amid debates on health impacts.

👉 Dive Deeper Here

🚗 Treasure Coast Traffic on the Rise

As the Treasure Coast's population nears 1 million by 2045, traffic congestion is growing. With nearly 550,000 vehicles already registered, local planners face challenges addressing safety and congestion hotspots, especially along U.S. 1.

👉 Read More Here

🍹The Refill: 🛣️ Infrastructure and Costs: Updates in Fort Pierce

The Fort Pierce City Commission received the 2024 annual report on the half-cent infrastructure surtax. Since its approval in 2018, the surtax has generated $13.5 million, funding 23 miles of road resurfacing and construction, along with sidewalk improvements and water quality projects.

However, maintaining and improving infrastructure comes with rising costs. Starting February 1, St. Lucie County landfill rates will increase, with garbage disposal rising from $49 to $79 per ton and construction debris climbing from $32 to $69 per ton. These rising costs highlight the challenge of balancing infrastructure upgrades with affordability.

👉 See New Rate Sheet Here

 🤳Become A Member: Support Sunland News

Join the Mission and support Sunland News and help fuel the goal of delivering smarter, faster very, very local news that keeps you informed on what’s unfolding here.

💡 Why it matters: Your support allows me to keep St. Lucie County informed and engaged through the daily Sunland News newsletter—and sets the stage for tackling bigger, in-depth reporting projects in the near future.

🎁 What’s in it for you: Exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and other perks as we grow (bookstore and otherwise) this community together.

👉 Check it out here!

🎉 Top Events: The Most Clicked Events This Week

Dancing Through the Decades: Disco Night
📅 Friday, January 24, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Havert L. Fenn Center, Fort Pierce
Dress up for a disco-themed dance party for adults 21 and older. Pre-registration required. Tickets are $10.
👉 Call 772-462-1521 to reserve your spot or see details here!

Port St. Lucie Seafood Festival
📅 Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
📍 MIDFLORIDA Event Center, Port St. Lucie
Enjoy live music, indoor and outdoor shopping, delicious seafood, and family-friendly fun at this free event.
👉 Check it out!

Saturday Drive-In Movie: Inside Out 2
📅 Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 7:00 PM
📍 601 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce
Catch a family-friendly movie under the stars. Gates open at 6:00 PM. Limited to 120 vehicles.
👉 Learn more and get tickets!

Concerts by Candlelight
📅 Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Port St. Lucie, FL
Enjoy an intimate musical experience set in beautiful venues illuminated by candlelight.
👉 Check it out!

The Beat Goes On - A Tribute to Cher
📅 Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 8:00 PM
📍 Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce
Lisa McClowry delivers a performance as Cher in this tribute to one of pop music’s icons. Tickets start at $64.50.
👉 Get tickets!

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop: More Info, Before You Go!

1. Orange is the New Hollywood: Film Incentive Program
Orange County’s film incentive group is working to bring more films, shows, and movies to the area.
👉 Read More

2. What is a People’s Garden?
Sunland News reader Denise asked for more info on the LPA People’s Garden, which sent me down a rabbit hole. Turns out, it’s all about sustainability, healthy food, and community collaboration.
👉 Learn More

3. When Did It Last Snow in Florida?
The Treasure Coast has seen snow three times in history, most notably during an Arctic blast in January 1977.
👉 Dive Deeper

📸 This is Sunland: I Love This Photo!

This week definitely tested my fortitude when it came to getting this newsletter out. And honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. Just when I found myself wondering, Are people actually enjoying this? someone—whether in person, via email, or some other way—managed to say, I really enjoy Sunland News. And that is truly all that matters to me. So thank you all again for continuing to read and support this!

See you Monday!
With love,
Ja’Min

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