Benefits & Opportunities

To further research and understand the economics of Martin County, we hired renowned economic analyst, Dr. Jim Nicholas from the University of Florida, to evaluate the County�s economic base. Dr. Nicholas� in-depth study presented the following assertions:

More than 50% of Martin County is funded by retirement, tourism, and growth related industries which is not a sustainable, diversified tax base. Martin County clearly lacks enough commercial, industrial, and targeted employment to allow for a broad tax base that generates jobs and creates a healthy and sustainable economy.

AgTEC, as planned, will generate more than 11,000 jobs at build out (projected out thirty years). Tax revenue alone will bring in $1.5 million a year after the project has stabilized. Over the life of the project, it could generate over $500 million worth of economic benefit to the county. Click here to view the report from Dr. Jim Nicholas, University of Florida.

Prevents Sprawl and Reduces Residential Density

The original land use for Sunrise Groves allowed for 86 homes to be built on 20-acre lots. The AgTEC plan removes the ability for these residential homes to be built on the property, thus avoiding the sprawling ranchette style residential development that is prevalent in Martin County�s western lands. In fact, there is sufficient residential housing and development within a 5-mile radius of property to supply employees to future targeted employers, giving opportunity for much-needed job creation in our own area.

Characters and Trends in North American Research Parks

If you�d like to read more about industry trends, we�ve included a study on characteristics and trends in North American Research Parks, which provides information about projects like AgTEC. The study was conducted in October 2007 by Battelle and the Association of University Research Parks. Click here to view this report.

(Click on graphs to see full size image)

As part of King Ranch�s environmental land stewardship ethic, it was important for us to understand the historic natural resources that were onsite prior to citrus being farmed there, as well as what potential opportunities could exist to enhance the natural environment through our planning process.

A significant amount of environmental data was reviewed and assessed to create the AgTEC plan. This public data was obtained from a variety of sources including:

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection
• South Florida Water Management District
• University of Florida and others

According to the data, there are no significant natural resources or habitats currently on the property. The land is 100% impacted with no wetlands on site. However, we see many opportunities for environmental restoration and enhancement and have incorporated those into our planning documents:

• Creation of a permanent green buffer, restoration of wildlife habitat and landscape connectivity
  West of the project is Allapattah Flats � natural habitat and lands that are in public ownership. The land in between Allapattah and our property is identified for potential public acquisition. Recognizing this, our plan calls for the creation of a land buffer adjacent to the public land acquisition area. The buffer will both increase the benefits to the land itself and help establish additional contiguous corridors for wildlife, which currently end at the public land's borders.

• Public access for recreation
  AgTEC has created potential opportunities for public access to the public lands of Allapattah Flats including walking, biking and equestrian trails.

• Re-establishment of seasonal patterns of water levels in adjacent wetlands
  Prior to citrus being grown on site and before CCLP�s ownership, the property was part of a historic basin that contained wetlands and surficial flows (i.e. �sheet flow� of water close to the ground�s surface) that helped to filter and convey water to adjacent wetlands. AgTEC will help to restore a portion of that flow way that runs through our property and enhance the current water network under the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).

• Improvements to water quality
  Incorporated into AgTEC�s plan is a requirement to achieve a higher water quality standard for storm water run-off than normally required by Martin County or the SFWMD. This will be achieved through a system that provides primary, secondary and tertiary treatment in ponds, wetlands and natural retention areas, ultimately resulting in enhanced water quality in the C23 Canal � just north of our property - which flows into the St. Lucie River. This naturalized treatment system will allow for reduction in sediments, removal of nutrients, and additional filtering onsite under the permitting auspices of the South Florida Water Management District.

• Permanent open space & agriculture
  AgTEC is providing a considerable amount of permanent and contiguous open space, including a wildlife and conservation buffer running along the western portion of the property. In total, 700 acres - a minimum of 40% of the property � will remain open space and provide for visual relief, environmental enhancement, ongoing agricultural and recreational uses.

• Martin Grade Scenic Highway
  Even beyond the borders of our property, we have committed to helping preserve the character of rural Martin County by incorporating landscaping features, setbacks and buffers on the southern portion of our property along County Road 714. This is to ensure that our project helps to preserve the scenic value of the Martin Grade - the beloved tree canopy running along CR 714 west of our land. We are also collaborating with the Martin Grade Scenic Highway committee and Sustaining Community Lands organization to provide much needed support for their state scenic highway designation process.

• One and a half (1.5) miles direct frontage on Interstate 95
• Three (3) miles of indirect frontage
• A large residential base around the property
• A regional mall slated to be developed directly north
• Existing interchanges to the north and south
• Access to an alternative regional corridor (Tradition Parkway) that has been approved to extend onto the site and remove local traffic from I-95
• Positioning to be one of the completing �puzzle pieces� in an existing regional job corridor that includes bio-medical and bio-fuel research.
• Opportunity for use of existing water utility through the City of Port St. Lucie.

TCRPC�s Strategic Regional Policy Plan
http://www.tcrpc.org/publications/srpp.html

TCRPC�s Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan
http://www.martinstlucierlrtp.com/documents/public_process_and_land_use_vision_plan.pdf

Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (CSTC)
CSTC�s Final Report