Residents Launch Petition to Halt Port St. Lucie Soccer Stadium Project
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – A petition is circulating among Port St. Lucie residents seeking to halt the construction of a proposed 6,000-seat soccer stadium in the Walton & One Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). As of Thursday afternoon, the online effort had gathered 712 signatures.
The petition highlights concerns about traffic congestion and questions the necessity of the stadium, especially in light of existing infrastructure needs. Opponents argue that funds should be prioritized for improvements to U.S. Highway 1 before committing to a new sports venue.
The stadium project is being funded through a dedicated pot of money earmarked for revitalization within the Walton & One CRA District, according to st. Lucie County Administrator Howard Samples. “That money cannot be used to build a road in North Port St. lucie or a park in West Port St. Lucie,” Samples stated. The project will bring a United Soccer League team to Port St.lucie, with soccer matches anticipated to begin in 2027.
The proposed stadium is intended to spur economic growth in the walton & one CRA District, but critics contend that the benefits are uncertain and may not outweigh the potential drawbacks for the wider community. The petition represents a growing wave of resident concern as the project moves forward without a firm construction timeline.