#IamPSL Citizen Summit offers residents a chance to help plan the City
Published on January 07, 2025
Port St. Lucie residents have an opportunity to help create the City’s future by sharing their input and ideas at the 2025 #IamPSL Citizen Summit.
This year’s #IamPSL Citizen Summit will be held Saturday, Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Community Center, located at 2195 SE Airoso Blvd. in Port St. Lucie.
The City has been hosting the summit for seven years – but it is not your typical government meeting. Designed as a drop-in event with fun and free activities for all ages, the Citizen Summit gives residents a chance to plan for the Port St. Lucie’s future through interactive activities, share feedback on all the City’s services and speak one-on-one to the City team.
“The Citizen Summit is a cornerstone of our strategic planning efforts, helping us to meet the needs of our community now and in the future,” said Kate Parmelee, Deputy City Manager for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation. “This event is centered around listening to the voices of the City’s residents and informing them about key projects underway that have been designed with their feedback.”
Citizens can drop in any time, explore interactive booths and learn what is planned for their community. Attendees will receive a roadmap to seven stations that align with the City’s strategic goals. Participants who provide feedback will receive an exclusive T-shirt, plus other giveaways while supplies last.
Every individual, including kids, will be given $100 in play money to identify and prioritize where additional taxpayer dollars should be spent. This allows City Council to see residents’ priorities when forming this year’s Strategic Plan update.
For example, at the 2021 Citizen Summit residents prioritized increased access to parks and green space. As a result, the City will be sharing efforts to advance this priority at this year’s Summit through its new Naturally PSL Green Spaces and Places initiative. Feedback provided at previous Citizen Summits has guided City Council as it made key decisions about Port St. Lucie’s Strategic Plan, such as:
- Infrastructure projects, including expansions and improvements of roads and sidewalks, that were developed based on insights from residents.
- The Port District, which opened in June 2024, was created after hearing from residents that they wanted more recreational access to the St. Lucie River, a place where they could gather, recreate and enjoy the beauty that surrounded them.
- Concerts, events and other activities, implemented following input from Citizen Summits that demonstrated what residents would like to see at MIDFLORIDA Event Center.
The City wants to hear from residents of every age group, including kids and teens, with educational activities to get their specific feedback.
Other activities planned for this year’s event include entertainment showcasing students from St. Lucie Public Schools; educational opportunities for kids; a selfie station and more.
St. Lucie Public Schools culinary arts students will be providing complimentary refreshments and food demonstrations.
Visit www.CityofPSL.com/CitizenSummit as the date approaches to learn more about the activities and giveaways, and to review feedback from residents at prior Citizen Summits.