Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday! It's Tuesday and listen, when I tell you I am jumping for joy right now as I currently type this because we just got finished with the first live show for something called Public Comment.
It's something I've been wanting to do. My theory of the case is that a lot of people in the county don't have time to make the public city meetings for either PSL or Fort Pierce or make the county meetings, let alone all the other meetings that go on.
Last night we did it for the breaking announcement of the Port St. Lucie Soccer Club and the stadium that's being built, which we're also talking about in today's newsletter, so I know plenty of you have thoughts.
Watch the first Public Comment episode here. If you haven't already, subscribe to the YouTube or follow on Facebook. Hopefully next time I can go live on more places than just those two platforms. Alright…
💜 People Pass Shoutout: Thank you to everyone supporting the newsletter! If you want to help keep this going, support here.
📝 Editor's Note: For fear of not making this email too long, I have a couple of food reviews that I want to get to, but I'll save those for tomorrow. Just FYI, I've been trying so many new spots and I want to tell you all about them!
How often should we do Public Comment?
After you vote, drop a reply with topics you'd like us to discuss on future episodes!
Ja’Min Devon
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⚽ The Main Squeeze: PORT ST. LUCIE GETS PROFESSIONAL SOCCER CLUB & 6,000-SEAT STADIUM
Port St. Lucie just announced a United Soccer League franchise and a brand new 6,000-seat stadium at Walton & One (the Mid-Florida Event Center site).
The Quick Facts:
$80 million investment - zero taxpayer dollars
6,000-seat stadium on 6 acres at Walton & One
46-acre mixed-use development - restaurants, hotels, retail, housing (see renderings)
Men's team kicks off 2027 in USL League One (third tier)
Women's team to follow
200+ jobs created with average salaries at 124% of St. Lucie County wage
Team colors: aquamarine, red marine, black, and white with an anchor on the crest
What This Means: PSL now joins cities like Naples, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, Knoxville, and Charlotte with professional soccer. The stadium becomes the anchor for the entire Walton & One redevelopment, which is supposed to transform eastern Port St. Lucie into a walkable entertainment destination.
Mayor Shannon Martin said it's "more than sports - it's about bringing people together, energizing our city, and building our future."
The Questions: During last night's Public Comment show, Darius raised some important questions about what that 124% salary increase actually means and wanted more details on the project itself.
💭 Thought Bubble: Listen, a couple of things. One is the use of the actual stadium. My fear is that it may turn into another Clover Park situation where the thing is not really used to its fullest potential year-round. Outside the baseball season for the Port St. Lucie Mets, is Clover Park really being used how it should be? So that's my concern for the stadium - is it going to be used properly outside of the league coming there?
And two, what about the events that currently happen at the Mid-Florida Event Center? The Green Market that happens there every Sunday, all the other events - where do those go? Obviously there are questions around payment and who pays for what, which the city addressed in their fact sheet saying no tax dollars are being used.
What are your thoughts? Reply to this email or let me know what you think about the soccer club and stadium coming to PSL here.
🥳 What’s Happening: 5 Out of Town Events
Thursday, Oct 16
🏍️ Bikes & Beaches 2025 – 4-day motorcycle fest with live music, food trucks, vendors, bike wash, and the Palm Bay Fair at Space Coast Harley-Davidson. (Runs Oct 16–19) | 11 AM–7 PM | Free | Details
🎪 The Vampire Circus – Mysterious, tantalizing circus cabaret with acrobatics, contortionists, and clowns at King Center Melbourne. | 7:30 PM | Ticketed | Details
🎪 Cirque de Paris – French circus spectacle with BMX riders, aerialists, and comedic clowns under the big top at Treasure Coast Square in Jensen Beach. (Runs Oct 16–26) | 7–8:30 PM | Ticketed | Details
Friday, Oct 17
🎃 Spooktacular Night at the Park – Family Halloween celebration with haunted house, movie screening of The Canterville Ghost, and costume fun at Memorial Park in Stuart. | 6 PM, haunted house at 6:30 PM, movie at 7 PM | Free | Details
🎬 Rocky Horror Picture Show Screening – Interactive showing with party bags, popcorn, and costume contest at Garden District Taproom in West Palm Beach. | 9 PM | Free entry | Details
Saturday, Oct 18
🎃 Viera Harvest Festival – Scarecrow stroll, hay maze, costume contest, face painting, pumpkin patch, and Ted E. Bear Clinic at Woodside Park in Viera. | Check time (4 hrs) | Free | Details
🤘 Terror Fest & Flea – Heavy metal and hardcore punk bands, independent vendors, craft beer, and food at American Icon Brewery in Vero Beach. All ages. | 12–6 PM | Free | Details
🎵 Twilight In Concert – Music and storytelling fusion celebrating creativity under the stars at Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. | 7:30 PM | Ticketed | Details
Tuesday, Oct 21
🎭 THE WIZ – Legendary Broadway show with soul, gospel, rock, and funk returns to Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. | 7:30 PM | Ticketed | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
🧾 Last Drop: CUT TAX or TAXES CUT!
🏘️ Florida HOA fees among nation's highest – State median $230 monthly ranks third nationally behind New York and DC. Census data shows wide variation with some paying under $50, others over $500. Fee breakdown
💰 Tax cut battle brews in Tallahassee – House Speaker proposes sales tax reduction from 6% to 5.25% while Gov. pushes to eliminate property taxes entirely. Both unlikely to pass together. Tax proposals
🦀 Stone crab season opens Wednesday – Florida harvest runs through May 1st, contributing $30M annually to state economy. Only claws harvested to allow regeneration. Season details
🏡 Pathway to Home Ownership seminar – Treasure Coast Realty Group hosts free workshop on buying your first home. Learn financing options, market strategies, and steps to homeownership. Register free (Sponsored)
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