STUART, Fla. (CBS12) -- Driving along Kanner Highway in Stuart, you may have noticed the banners. The once-busy 76 Golf World Family Fun Center will soon become the site of Baron Landings, a $100 million mixed-use development. This is the latest in a series of projects underway across the area.
Baron Landings will feature 308 apartments across four four-story buildings, with 40% of those units designated as affordable housing based on area median income (AMI).
This project, spanning 21.4 acres, is the first in Martin County to utilize the Florida Live Local Act, which streamlines housing development and bypasses traditional approval processes to fast-track projects addressing the housing crisis.
"We need affordable housing," said Jennifer Anderson, a Stuart resident. "The apartments start at $1,200 a month. I can't even afford that."
The site will also feature over 16,000 square feet of commercial space, with tenants like Starbucks, Del Taco, and Jersey Mike's already lined up.
"I think that's wonderful. That's a great idea. I love the Starbucks idea," Anderson added.
"All those extra businesses that come around are needed for the amount of people moving in," said Maria Vasquez, another Stuart resident.
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However, the rapid development across the city has some residents worried about traffic.
"I, like many other residents who have lived here for years, am not happy that this place is becoming like another big city," Vasquez said.
"I've been here since 2016. I'm from Miami, and it's just buildings everywhere. That's why we moved up here," said Ronnie Blanks, a Stuart resident. "It's getting so developed. The traffic is a big issue."
Developers told CBS12 News they plan to install a new traffic light, Baron Way, to ease congestion. They also anticipate contributing $3.3 million in impact fees to support schools, fire services, and other community resources.
The commercial construction is expected to begin within 60 days, with the apartments breaking ground in late spring or early summer.