The most pressing topic was the proposed Project Lift vocational training facility on Martin Luther King Boulevard. The project aims to create a 12,000-square-foot building for vocational skills training, including parking for staff and students, and landscaping improvements. Scott Hughes of Hughes UO Architects presented the architectural plans, emphasizing features like the deep roof overhang for passive solar benefits and community engagement. The layout intended to push the building toward the street to foster pedestrian interaction.

Bob Zacho, CEO and founder of Project Lift, shared the organization’s mission, which combines vocational training with mental health support, focusing on hands-on learning for young adults who have dropped out of high school. Zacho highlighted the success of the program, which served nearly 530 students in Martin County and Palm City in its 14th year. The program offers various trades training, such as welding, carpentry, and boat restoration, and includes paid apprenticeships, mental health, and substance abuse counseling.

However, the proposal faced opposition from community members who expressed concerns about the project’s impact on the historical and economic significance of the site. One individual, James Christy III, emphasized the site’s historical value and the role of Willie Gary Plaza as a commercial hub. Christy argued for a focus on economic growth rather than solely on counseling and support services. Another community member echoed these concerns, highlighting a perceived lack of community input and opposition to the project.

The board’s approval of the project resulted in a mixed response, with a 5-1 vote in favor. The discussion revealed a tension between the aspirations of Project Lift and the community’s desire to preserve historical economic structures. A board member expressed empathy for the community’s concerns and noted a perception that decisions were made without adequate feedback from the Black community in East Stuart.

The board also addressed the proposal’s major conditional use approval, requiring specific exemptions from existing landscaping and parking regulations. Jody Cougler, the development director, outlined the project’s requirements, including conditions for street improvements and contributions for streetscape enhancements. Shelby Gaziani from Kimley-Horn provided justifications for the requested waivers, such as the reduction in parking requirements due to the nature of the vocational training program.

Further discussions included clarifications on the compatibility of the project with future improvements along Martin Luther King Boulevard, with assurances that the project aligned with forthcoming developments. Concerns about the economic development in East Stuart were also raised, emphasizing the need for job opportunities for young Black men in the area.

Another topic was the funding program aimed at supporting small businesses. The program, proposed by Main Street, requested $30,000 in CRA funds to incentivize purchases through bonus bucks, aimed at stimulating local spending. The program would utilize a third-party electronic platform called Yiy, which has generated $30 million for small businesses across the country since 2020. The board discussed the economic viability of small businesses in downtown Stuart, with concerns about the high costs of doing business and the sustainability of rents as high as $45 per square foot.

The proposed funding program faced skepticism about the potential for returns, with a projected return estimated at $180,000 directed back to small businesses. Board members questioned the primary funding sources for the Main Street program, which included rental income from the Flagler Center, revenue from events, and quarterly checks from the city.

The discussion also touched on zoning changes for a property on Martin Luther King Boulevard, proposed for rezoning from commercial planned unit development to a business mixed-use designation. The project sought to acquire and rehabilitate a facility for vocational training, with a total funding request of $6.2 million. The design team presented visuals illustrating the project’s context and existing conditions, noting the need for redevelopment of the site, which currently features remnants of a gas station and car wash facilities.