What did Stuart voters say about keeping a museum along the St. Lucie River in downtown?

Editor's note: This article was modified from its original version to correct the vote threshold needed for passage of the referendum.

STUART — The historic Stuart Feed Store building in downtown, which houses the Stuart Heritage Museum, could be staying in its home for at least another 20 years. Voters in the primary election that ended Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a referendum to allow the city to enter into a long-term lease with the museum.

The city owns the building and property along the St. Lucie River. According to the City Charter, needs voter approval to enter into a lease of more than 10 years for waterfront property.

Museum officials said they may seek a 20-year lease.

"I consider us a vital part of the downtown ambiance," said Gary Maxwell, president of the board of the Stuart Heritage Museum, which was created by the nonprofit Stuart Heritage Inc.

"And as such, we want to continue to play our role in what Stuart has to offer," which is that small-town feel, Maxwell said.

Support for the lease

The referendum needed 50% approval to pass and got 94% approval, according to final, unofficial results from the Supervisor of Elections Office — 3,152 in favor and 199 opposed.

"Obviously, we were very pleased" with such impressive numbers, Maxwell said.

Details to be worked out soon

In the near future, Maxwell expects to start working out the details of the lease with the city. He suspects the current City Commission will take part, but it's possible the new commission, with two new commissioners, will want to weigh in, he said.

New commissioners Sean Reed and Laura Giobbi will be sworn in Monday. Reed defeated incumbent Troy McDonald Tuesday, and Giobbi ousted Mayor Becky Bruner.

History and why it matters

"We want to be able to preserve what got us here," Maxwell said earlier this year, around the time the commission agreed to place the issue before voters. "I think it's always important to know where you've come from to know where you're going."

The museum opened in 1992, while the Stuart Feed Store building dates back to the early 1900s. It is now the oldest commercial building in the city and was the second store to operate in Stuart along the St. Lucie River, serving as a gathering place for residents.

More: Vargas upsets six-term Martin County Commissioner Smith in primary; Ciampi and Capps win

More: East Stuart may become a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places

Following construction, it was named Geo. W. Parks General Merchandise, and it was operated by George Washington Parks. The Parks family lived on the second floor. Visitors to the museum today can see Parks' potbelly stove among other artifacts from Stuart and Martin County history.

More than 10,000 people visited the museum last year.

Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at keith.burbank@tcpalm.com and at 720-288-6882.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: What did Stuart voters say about keeping a museum along the St. Lucie River in downtown?