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COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT

East Stuart & Historic Downtown Stuart Officially Added to the National Register of Historic Places

STUART, FLA (july 21, 2026) -- The City of Stuart is proud to announce that the East Stuart Historic District and the Downtown Stuart Historic District have been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
This milestone marks the successful conclusion of a multi-year historic preservation initiative led by the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). What began as an update to the City’s 1998 historic properties survey grew into a comprehensive effort to document, preserve, and honor the architectural, cultural, and community heritage of both districts. The updated survey provided crucial documentation of historically significant structures, cultural resources, and narratives that helped secure national recognition.
The Downtown Stuart nomination was made possible through a grant awarded to Stuart Main Street. Their advocacy, partnership, and commitment to preservation played a vital role in advancing the downtown district through the review and nomination process.
Downtown Stuart has long been the historic commercial and civic heart of the city, celebrated for its distinctive architecture, waterfront charm, and vibrant small-town character. East Stuart stands as Martin County’s oldest historically Black neighborhood, with a rich cultural heritage and foundational contributions that have shaped Stuart’s identity for more than a century.
The City of Stuart expresses its appreciation to the Florida SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office), the Florida National Register Review Board, Stuart Main Street, local historians, neighborhood advocates, and community members who contributed time, expertise, and passion to the nomination process.
Listing on the National Register of Historic Places does not place restrictions on private property owners. However, it may offer access to preservation incentives, grant opportunities, educational programming, and enhanced awareness of the districts’ historic significance.
For more information about the designation or the Community Redevelopment Agency, please contact Pinal Gandhi-Savdas, CRA Director, at 772-283-2532 or pgandhi@stuartfl.gov.

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STORM READY

Watches vs. Warnings

Prior to moving into the most-active period of hurricane season (mid-August through mid-October), here's a quick reminder on watches versus warnings and what you should do for each one.
Hurricane Watch
Issued 48 hours before hurricane-force winds (≥74 mph) are possible in the area. 
✔️ When a Watch Is Issued (48+ hours ahead)
▪️Finalize your emergency plan
▪️Confirm evacuation routes and destinations (friends, out-of-town contacts, shelters). 
▪️Prepare your home and property by securing loose outdoor items (trash cans, toys, patio furniture). 
▪️Deploy window shutters/board windows.
▪️Fill vehicles with gas.
▪️Assemble essential supplies.
▪️Pack a go-bag for each family member (3-day supply): water, snacks, flashlight, batteries, first-aid, medications, personal documents, pet care items.
▪️Prepare your stay-at-home kit with 2+ weeks worth of food, water, medicine, hygiene items, bay/pet needs, and supplies for older adults or special needs. 
▪️Stay informed by monitoring weather and local alerts.
▪️Charge all electronic devices.
▪️Keep flashlights and radios ready--don't wait for power failure to strike.
▪️Identify a safe interior "storm room" for high-wind protection.
▪️Check your pet's care plan -- know which shelters accept animals.
▪️Be a good neighbor and check on those who may need help or those with limited mobility.
Hurricane Warning
Issued 36 hours before hurricane-force winds are expected. 
✔️ When a Warning Is Issued (36–0 hours ahead)
▪️Execute your plan
▪️Evacuate if in an evacuation zone
▪️Board up windows, close shutters, and secure garage doors
▪️ Turn refrigerators/freezers to their coldest setting; unplug appliances and shut off propane.
▪️Place valuables, documents, and electronic backups in waterproof containers.
▪️Withdraw cash. ATMs and banks may be unavailable post-storm.
▪️Ensure all phones and backup power banks are fully charged.
▪️Maintain access to battery-powered radios and NOAA alerts for emergency updates.
Helpful Resources
▪️City of Stuart Emergency Management
▪️Plan & Prepare | Florida Disaster
▪️AlertMartin Emergency Alerts | Martin County Florida
▪️Ready America
▪️FEMA for Kids

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FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING

The Green Scene: Lawn Tips

Cutting your grass super short might look like a time-saver, but your lawn sees it differently. In fact, it’s kind of like giving it a bad haircut during Florida’s hottest, sunniest months.
Give your mower a little boost! Just raising the blade one notch can make your lawn breathe a sigh of relief.
When grass is kept a bit taller, it grows deeper roots, stays moist longer, and handles dry spells without stressing out. Bonus: taller turf can even help crowd out those pesky weeds.
Here’s what a higher mowing height helps your lawn do:
• Grow stronger, deeper roots
• Hold onto moisture
• Crowd out weeks
• Stay healthier in heat and drought
Aim for about 3 inches from the ground — that’s the sweet spot.
Florida Summer Golden Rule: Keep your mower height higher. Taller blades shade the soil, lock in moisture, and keep your root system tough and resilient.
Keep it high, keep it hydrated, and let your lawn thrive. ☀️🌾
Learn more from UF/IFAS here:  https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH028
🍃🍃🍃🍃
City of Stuart Code Enforcement Lawncare Reminders:
🍃Keep your lawn eight inches or shorter. (Sec. 20-21)
🍃Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are prohibited June 1 through November 30. (Sec. 20-163) 
🍃Blow grass clippings back into the lawn--never into streets, sidewalks, stormwater drains or roadways. (Sec. 20-169) (NOTE: Grass clippings left on the lawn actually act as a natural mulch and returns nutrients to the soil--a WIN-WIN!)

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BUILDING COMMUNITY

Summer Pop-Ups

Summertime is the perfect season to stay connected with the City of Stuart on social media! You never know what surprise might pop up. Recently, the Stuart Police Department hosted a FREE pop-up barbecue at Kiwanis Park and another day surprised park goers with FREE ice cream, and today the Recreation Division surprised everyone Downtown with FREE snow cones!
Want to be the first to know about the next pop-up event? Stay in the loop by following all of our social media channels!
Stuart Recreation
Stuart Police Department
City of Stuart

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Traffic Advisories & Alerts

For the most up-to-date traffic advisories and alerts, visit ROAD / LANE CLOSURES on the City of Stuart website.
🚧TEMPORARY ROAD & SIDEWALK CLOSURES - Wednesday, July 22, 2026, through Thursday, August 13, 2026. Closure of S.E. Tarpon Avenue all day/night from S.E. Martin Luther King Blvd. to S.E. Lake Street for roadway and sidewalk construction. For additional information, contact Kobe Swope, Kimley-Horn, 772 485 9837, or Kobe.Swope@kimley-horn.com. View MOT detour plans HERE.
🚧TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE - Monday, August 3, 2026, through Friday, August 7, 2026. S.W. Seminole Street from S. Colorado Avenue to S.W. St. Lucie Avenue will be closed as a contiguous closure Aug. 3 from 7:00 a.m. to Aug. 7 to 5:00 p.m. for work related to the Downtown Stuart Undergrounding and Streetscape Project. MOT plan may be viewed HERE. Questions may be directed to Diane Decker, Burkhardt Construction, at (561) 718-2605 or diane@burkhardtconstruction.com. 
🚧TEMPORARY LANE SHIFTS - Monday, August 3, 2026, through Friday, August 20, 2026, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Pike Electric, on behalf of FPL, will be performing the replacement of overhead wood poles. Temporary lane shifts will be managed with flaggers and traffic cones and occur on:
▪️SE Lincoln Ave. between SE Hillcrest Ave & SE Florida Street
▪️SE Madison Ave between SE 7th Street & SE Dolphin Drive
View MOT plans HERE: MOT 1. MOT 2.
🚧TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES - Tuesday, August 4, 2026, through Friday, August 7, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Full closures on NW Dixie Hwy and NW Poinsettia St. Detour map may be viewed HERE.

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Special Notices

 

City of Stuart Commission meetings, conducted in the City Hall Chambers, are streamed live. (View HERE). City Hall Chambers are open to the public during the meetings. 

Future City of Stuart Meetings

Special City Commission Meeting - Ballfields Referendum
Monday, August 3, 2026 - 3:30 p.m.
Special City Commission Meeting - Budget Workshop #1
Monday, August 10, 2026 - 3:00 p.m.
City Commission Meeting
Monday, August 10, 2026 - 4:00 p.m.
Special City Commission Meeting - Ballfields & Haney Creek Referendum Resolutions
Monday, August 17, 2026 - 5:30 p.m.
Magistrate Hearing
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - 2:00 p.m.
Special City Commission Meeting - Budget Workshop #2
Monday, August 24, 2026 - 3:00 p.m.
City Commission Meeting
Monday, August 24, 2026 - 5:30 p.m.

Calendar of Events

Market on Main
Every Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Flagler Park, 201 SW Flagler Avenue 
Produced by Stuart Main Street
More Information: (772) 286-2848

Rock'n Riverwalk 
Every Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Riverwalk Stage, 300 St. Lucie Avenue
Produced by Stuart Main Street and DBA
More information: (772) 286-2848
View all events HERE.