2023 FPRA Annual Report

Table of Contents

ANNUAL REPORT

Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes requires each Community Redevelopment Agency to provide an annual report by March 31 of each year to the Governing Body. The following Annual Report includes accomplishments and financial data for Fiscal Year 2023.

MessageFrom

TheDirector

As the Director of the FPRA, I am thrilled to share the remarkable success we have achieved over the past year Our commitment to revitalizing and enhancing the vibrancy of Fort Pierce has remained steadfast

Over the past year, we have implemented various initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all residents From infrastructure improvements to economic development programs, each endeavor has been meticulously designed to promote growth and prosperity

As we look ahead to the future, I am confident that we will continue to build upon this success and work together to create an even brighter tomorrow for our community.

NicholasC Mimms,PE,ICMA-CM FPRADirector

What is a CRA?

A Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is a dependent district established by City government for the purpose of carrying out redevelopment activities that include reducing or eliminating blight, improving the economic health of an area, and encouraging public and private investments in a CRA district. The CRA is governed by State Statutes, Chapter 163, Part III.

History of the FPRA

To guide the City in its efforts to redevelop both the physical and economic environment of its Downtown, the City established the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency (FPRA) in 1982 with the adoption of Ordinance No. H-239.

Noting that other areas of the community also need targeted redevelopment activity as well, the City Commission expanded the boundaries of the Redevelopment Area in 1995 & 1996 to include the areas south of Atlantic Avenue to Citrus Avenue and Delaware Avenue. Seeing the success of the FPRA in encouraging redevelopment within the City’s core and noting the state of decline for other areas of the City, the Commission substantially expanded the boundaries of the Redevelopment Area again in 2000 to include the neighborhoods west of 7th Street, the Port, and South Beach.

FPRA Districts

LINCOLN PARK

Steepedinhistoryanddiversity,thisneighborhoodembodiestherichtapestryofFort Pierce’sculturalheritage.LincolnParkwashometoauthorZoraNealeHurstonandthe famousFloridaHighwaymenartists,agroupof26African-Americanlandscapeartists whoforgedtheirownsuccessbyembodyingtheentrepreneurialspiritandresilienceof theircommunity LincolnParkisnotjustaplace,it’saliving,breathingtestamenttothe resilience,creativity,andcommunityspiritofitsresidents

DOWNTOWN

NestledalongtheIndianRiverLagoon,thishistoricdistrictembodiestheeclecticspiritof thecity.Downtownisnotjustaplacetoshopanddine,it’sahubofcommunityactivity andengagement.Festivals,farmers’markets,andculturaleventsfillthecalendar, bringingtogetherresidentsandvisitorstocelebratethecity’svibranthistory,culture,and creativitytocreateaoneofakindexperienceforall

FISHERMAN'S WHARF

LocatedatthesouthernendofthePortarea,Fisherman’sWharf,actsasabufferbetween theworkingportareaandhistoricdowntownFortPierce.Thispicturesquewaterfront, embodiestherichmaritimeheritageandvibrantfishingtraditionsoftheregion.This iconicdestinationoffersvisitorsaglimpseintotheheartandsoulofthelocalfishing community.

PEACOCK ARTS DISTRICT

Inthe1970s,agentlemanbythenameofJackCrainopenedatravelagencyonOrange Avenue Hehadaloveforpeacocksandpurchasedafewtoroamthewalledyardbehind hisbusiness Overthedecades,theflockhasgrownandcascadesintoanareacalled PeacockArtsDistrictor“PAD”Itisbrandedwithitsownuniqueidentityandculture BeautificationthroughartworkandmuralsthroughouttheDistrict,aswellasbannersand lighting,hascreatedavibrantartsceneattractingvisitorsandlocals

SOUTH BEACH

PrimewaterfrontlandboundbytheFortPierceinlettothenorth,Intracoastalwaterways totheWest,andtheAtlanticOceantotheEast Asthesecondmostpopulateddistrictin theFPRA,SouthBeachhasestablisheditselfasaunique,desirabletourismdestination, andhubofculturalactivityandentertainment;hostinglivemusicconcertsand tournaments,bringingvisitorsfromallaroundFloridatoenjoy

DOWNTOWN FORTPIERCE

FPRA Leadership

FPRA BOARD

CRA ADVISORY COMMITTEE

TheFortPierceRedevelopmentAgencyBoardconsistsoffive(5)memberswhoalsoserve astheMayorandCityCommission.ThepurposeoftheAgencyistorevitalizeboththe physicalandeconomicenvironmentoftheredevelopmentarea.

ThepurposeandfunctionoftheCRAAdvisoryCommitteeistostudy,review andproviderecommendations,guidanceandadviceastomattersrelevantto thepurposesandgoalsoftheFortPierceRedevelopmentAgency;andtoserve asaliaisonbetweenthecommunitywithintheFortPierceredevelopment districtboundariesandtheFortPierceRedevelopmentAgencyBoard.

PHILTHOMPSON -CHAIR

CAROLYNMANN-LURRY

MICHAELBROWNJR

HOYTMURPHY

BRANDONNOBILE

ALJOHNSON

DANIELLEE

AMANDAGELLAR

CHADINGRAM

FPRA STAFF

ARNOLDGAINES

CURTISJOHNSON MICHAELBRODERICK

JEREMIAHJOHNSON LINDAHUDSON BOARDMEMBER BOARDMEMBER BOARDMEMBER BOARDMEMBER CHAIRPERSON

2020

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

Thefollowingisasummaryof thiscommunityredevelopment agency’sachievementofit’s redevelopmentplan’sgoals

PROJECTS IN PROGRESS

Fisherman’s Wharf

TheFPRAultimatelyexecutedadevelopmentagreementwiththe highestrankedproposer,Pierce1Marina,todevelopa$26Million mixed-useprojectincludingastate-of-the-artautomateddrystack boatstoragefacility,restaurants,watertaxi,marina,residentialand retail Throughout2021and2022,bothpartiesworkedontheir respectiveobligationspertheagreement TheFPRABoard,Cityof FortPierceandPierce1Marinahavesinceexecutedseveral amendmentstotheagreementtoextendthedeadlinesinthe agreementfortheCitytocuretitleandsurveyobjectionsraisedby thedeveloper TheCityCommissionandFPRABoardapproveda fourthamendmenttoextendandtollthetimeperiodsinthe agreementfor12months

Old St. Anastasia

OldSt AnastasiaCatholicSchoolwasbuiltin1914andlatersoldto theFPRAinthe1980s TheFPRABoardapprovedtheallocationof $500,000towardstheexteriorrestorationofthebuildingaspartof amulti-phasedapproachtowardtheredevelopmentofthesiteit sitson ARequestforProposals(RFP)wasissuedtoobtaina contractortorestoretheexteriorstructure Restorationwillconsist ofrepairingandrefreshingthecurrentstructuresothatit resemblesitsoriginallook

OnAugust8,2023,theFortPierceRedevelopmentAgency(FPRA) selectedacontractorknownasInnovativeMasonryRestoration, LLC,torestorethehistoricbuilding

Wayfinding

TheCityofFortPierce/FortPierceRedevelopmentAgencyissueda RequestforProposals(RFP)forthedesign,permitting,production, andinstallationofvarioustypesandquantitiesofwayfindingsigns throughoutthecity.RFP2023-010wasissuedandten(10)proposals werereceivedbythedeadlineofFebruary21,2023.Staffreceived authorizationtonegotiateacontractwiththehighestranked respondent,DonBellSigns,Inc.ofPortOrange,Floridafora ComprehensiveWayfindingProgramconsistingofapproximately 62signassets(Gateway/EntranceSigns,WayfindingDirectional Signs,DistrictBrandSignsandPublicParkingSigns).Theservice agreementwasapprovedbytheFPRABoardAugust8,2023and finaldesignmodificationshavebeencompleted.

Huseum

TheFortPierceFloridaHighwaymenMuseumispoisedto playapivotalroleinrevitalizingtheAvenueDCorridor. Contractorsaregearinguptotransformthistwo-story structureintoacutting-edgefacility.Nestledinhistoric LincolnParkat1234AvenueD,themuseumnotonly safeguardstheuniqueartisticlegacyoftheHighwaymen butalsoembodiescommunityspirit,resilience,and culturalenrichment.

nteredintoalong-termleaseagreementwiththeOriginal .tooverseethemuseum’sdailyoperationsonceitis rovedanadditional$224,081.94forenhancedsecurity uppressionsystems.Furthermore,theyaddressedsafety lans,whichinvolveddemolishingandreconstructingstairs andrelocatingtheentrydooranddrain.

Theseremarkableartistsdefiedracialbarriersduringthemid-20thcentury,creatingiconic Floridalandscapepaintings.Theirdistinctivestyleoftencapturedthestate’snaturalbeauty serenebeaches,swayingpalmtrees,andvibrantsunsets.

Incubate Neighborhood Center

Theproject,proposedbytheIncubateNeighborhoodCenter, totransformthehistoricallysignificantMeansCourtCenter intoamulti-servicecommunityresourcehubthatoffers classestohelpstartupcompaniesandentrepreneursdevelop theirbusinessesaswellashomeownership,workforce development,andfinancial-lendingprograms.Themultipurposefacilitywillprovidespaceforco-locatednonprofitsto offersocialservicesinonecentrallocationonthefirstlevel, alongwithmeetingspaces,classrooms,andmedia productionfacilities.Thesecondlevelwillbeabusiness incubator.InNovember2023,IncubateNeighborhoodCentershouldreceiveitspermittobegin PhaseIoftheorganization’sproposedimprovementstotheMeansCourtCenter.Thework involvesrenovationstothefirstfloortoincludetheinstallationofADAaccessiblerestroomsand anelevatorlifttoprovideADAaccesstothesecondlevelofthefacility.Theworkisprojectedtobe completedinMarch2024.

King’s Landing

November 2019

AudubonDevelopment wasselectedanda developmentagreement wasexecutedfor$85 milliontodevelopthe mixed-useland

SitePlan Approved February 2022

August 2022

GovernorRonDeSantisawardedtheCity ofFortPiercea$2.7millionFloridaJob GrowthGranttohelpfundinfrastructure improvementsinDowntownFortPierce. AudubonDevelopmentrecentlyreceived approvalfromthePlanningBoardand CityCommissionforthefinalplatofthe VillasatKing’sLanding Thisapproval wasneededastheVillashavebeen redesignedwithrear-loadgaragesand willnowaccommodatetenhomes insteadoftheoriginaleight.

September 2023

AudubonDevelopmentreportedthat theyreceivedthePhaseIbuildingpermit tobegininstallingtheinfrastructure (utilitiesanddrainage)toservethe entireKing’sLandingprojectasrequired bytheDevelopmentAgreement.

March 2022

FPRABoardpasseda resolutiontoconveythe elevenparcelstoAudubon DevelopmentandtheFPRA executedthewarrantydeed transferringtheparcelsto AudubonDevelopment

June 2023

AudubonDevelopmentcompleted aten monthexcavationprojectremoving remainingdebris(1500tons)fromthesite. Cleanconcrete/rockdebrisdonatedto StLucieCountyCoastalConservationfor artificialreef AudubonDevelopmentcommenceda ninety-daygroundwatersampling programasrequiredbyFlorida DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.

Downtown Master Plan

TheFortPierce RedevelopmentAgency approvedS&ME’sproposal andinitiatedthe DowntownMasterPlan

Thecommunitywas invitedtoparticipate inaseriesof interactiveevents

TheDowntownMasterPlanwas presentedtotheTourist DevelopmentCouncil,FortPierce YachtClub,theParkingCommittee antheOceanVillageHOA

TheDowntownMasterPlanwas acceptedbytheFPRABoard

Someoftheprojectsidentified intheplanwillbeusedto redevelopDowntown November

FPRAiscurrentlydevelopinga RequestforQualificationstosolicit variousprofessionalservicesto initiateplanning,design,and implementationofthePhase1 projects June

thePhase1projectsidentifiedinthePlan havebeenincludedintheFPRACapital ImprovementPlanandstaffisexploring fundingopportunitiestomakethevision areality

Staffsubmittedanapplicationfora FloridaRedevelopmentAgencyBestBook AwardforTheDowntownMasterPlan

RFQ2024-005willbeissuedinOctober 2023tosolicitStatementsofQualifications fromprofessionalfirmsqualifiedto providedesignandconsultingservicesto supporttheimplementationofCityplans, projects,andinitiativessuchastheFPRA RedevelopmentPlan,Comprehensive Plan,CapitalImprovementPlanand DowntownMasterPlan September

2023 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ConnectingNeighborhoods

Freebee

Freebeeisafree,on-demand,100%electric transportationservicethatservestheFort PierceRedevelopmentAgency’sdistricts.This programwaslaunchedonFebruary15,2023 asa1yearpilotprogramtoprovide consumerswithdoor-to-doorserviceto localbusinesses,beaches,andlocalevents fromThursdaytoSunday After8monthsofserviceandmuchsuccess, theFPRAandSt LucieCountyarecurrently workingonapplyingforanFDOTgrantthat willhelpfundthisprogramforanother3 yearsandextendservicedaysandhours

Economic Growth

Small Business Initiative

TheFortPierceRedevelopmentAgencyidentified opportunitiesinwhichtoimprovethelocaleconomyand toimplementinitiativesdesignedtosupportsmall businesses Closeto100smallbusinessesparticipatedin apollandfromthat,two(2)programswerecreated:City ofFortPierceSmallBusinessPathwayProgramandHow todoBusinesswiththeCityInstructionalVideos

ThroughapartnershipwiththeSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenterandCareerSource,we launchedthefirstCityofFortPierceSmallBusinessPathwayProgram Theprogramcovered topicssuchasFindingFinancing,SmallBusinessSupportServices,Marketing&Promotion,and RecruitmentandRetention Inthenextmonths,TheFortPierceRedevelopmentAgencywillwork withthecommunicationsdivisiontocreateengagingvideosthatwillinformlocalsmall businessesonavarietyoftopicsrelatedtodoingbusinesswiththeCityofFortPierce Topicsthat willbecoveredare:HowtoBecomeaVendor,BusinessTaxReceipts,VacationRentalRegistration, Planning&Zoning,andThePermitProcess

Impact Fee Moratorium

TheintentofthismoratoriumistoassistbusinessesintheFortPierce RedevelopmentAgencyboundariesreducetheirstartupcostsandto contributetothesenseofvitalitythatoccurswhenbuildingsare occupied Itisourhopethatthismoratoriumwillencourageandentice developmentwithintheFPRAboundaries Sinceinfilllocationsarewithin theurbancoreofourcommunity,typicallytheyalreadyhavemuchof theneededinfrastructure.Unlessextraordinarycapitalimprovementsare required,infrastructurecostscanbesubstantiallylowerforinfill developmentrelativetoasimilarprojectinanundevelopedarea.

Interior Uplift Grant

Thisisaprogramofferedtocommercialpropertyownersandbusinesses forinteriorupgrades Ourgoalistoeliminatefunctionalobsolescence, remedydeterioration,andenhancetheenergyefficiencyofexisting buildingswithintheFPRADistrict

Bybringingthesebuildingsuptocurrentbuildingcodesandmakingthem moresuitableforoccupancy,westrivetoimprovetheoverallappealand viabilityoftheareaandcontributetotherevitalizationoftheFPRADistrict.

Ordinance23-054providesa moratoriumonthe impositionandcollectionof Cityimpactfeeswithinthe FortPierceRedevelopment AreauntilNovember2024

CommunityRevitalization

During Covid, before we had an actual deck, we had to use the parking lot Moving to the deck has made a huge difference, the grant was a huge help to the expansion of our business, as well as the new found exposure.

TREVOR HORVATH CAPTAIN S GALLEY OWNER

Commercial Façade Grant

As part of the continuation to support small businesses, start-up businesses, private sector investment and business development within the FPRA; In Fiscal Year 2023, $250,000 was allocated towards Commercial Facade improvements

By providing financial assistance for facade improvements, the grant helps the overall visual appeal of the and potential investors

in Commercial Facade Reimbursements $75,000

RestoringNeighborhoods

The FPRA Paint Program is one of the best things I've ever seen the City of Fort Pierce do Helping Fort Pierce business owners and residents make their properties beautiful is an amazingly smart adventure to go on It’s programs like these that energize the people that come through our city

JIM GOERTLER

117 NORTH 5TH ST OWNER

PropertyRefresh Grant

The purpose of this program is to brighten and transform both residential and commercial properties situated within the FPRA district. In Fiscal Year 2023, $50,000 ll t d towards painting the exter businesses. By encouragi maintenance and improvin buildings and homes, this enhance property values a neighborhood revitalizatio

in Property Refresh Reimbursements $21,395

BEFORE AFTER

PAD Mural Program

ThePeacockArtsDistrict(PAD)MuralProgramisrevitalizingtheareabyinfusing vibrantcolorsandcreativityintoitsstreetscape Witheachmural,thedistrict becomesacanvasshowcasingartists’talentandbeautifyingtheneighborhood butalsofosterasenseofprideandidentityamongresidentsandvisitors

Forfiscalyear2023,$40,000wasallocatedforthemuralprogramwithphaseI focusingaroundtheOrangeAvenuecorridor Propertyownerswithinthetargeted zoneofthePADwereabletoapplyandfive(5)propertieswereselectedthrough andevaluationprocesstohavemuralsinstalled Acallforartistwasreleasedand inJune2023,theFPRABoardapprovedtheexecutionofagreementswiththe participatingartists

InJuly2023,theartistsbeganpaintingmuralsonthefollowingproperties:500 OrangeAvenue,605OrangeAvenue,616AtlanticAvenue,and710OrangeAvenue

Thesearethetalentedartiststhatparticipatedintheprogram:ZoeyA Bridges, Nicole“Nico”Holderbaum,andSamaraAshandallmuralswerecompletedin aboutoneandahalfmonths

The mural program brought new life to the Old Post Office which is now an event hall. This is a wonderful program and the artist really captured the essence of the building by using historic scenes and making the murals look like postcards which tied it all together.

STAN SYNKOSKI

500 ORANGE OWNER

Tocelebratetheachievement,theFPRAheldthePADMuralProgram InaugurationonSeptember25,2023torecognizetheprogramparticipants andkick-offthefirstofmanyArtWalksandactivitiestocome. AsecondroundofthePADMuralProgramwillbegininearly2024.

616Atlantic 616Atlantic Avenue Avenue

SAMARA ASH

605Orange 605Orange Avenue Avenue

NICOLE “NICO” HOLDERBAUM

ScantheQRcodeto takeaglimpseofthe processofpaintingthe muralsfromtheartists perspective

Oaks at Moore’s Creek

TherewasmuchtocelebrateatthegroundbreakingeventfortheOaksatMoore’sCreekPhaseII Withthecompletionoftheinfrastructureandtheclosingontheattainable,workforceresidential developmentproject,itsignifiedamajoraccomplishmentfortheCityofFortPierce/FortPierce RedevelopmentAgency Thisdiligenteffortdemonstratedtheirproactiveapproachtorevitalizing theareaandcreatingdesirableresidentialopportunities Thedevelopers,OMCII,arenowfocused onactivelyidentifyingandengagingwithpotentialbuyerswhoareinterestedinpurchasingoneof the15newsingle-familyhousingunits Thisincludesmarketingefforts,conductingsitevisits,and providingdetailedinformationaboutthefeaturesandbenefitsoftheproperties

NestledintheLincolnParkHistoricDistrict,this3.38-acreofpropertyoffersauniquelocationwithin milesofHistoricDowntownFortPierceandtheiconicAvenueD.Homeownerswillbeabletoenjoy thebustlingactivityofdowntownwhileretainingamorerelaxedlifestylenearthenewlyrenovated linearparkandrecreationalareasalongMoore’sCreek.PhaseIIintroducesfourdistinctresidential modelsrangingbetween1,500and2,100squarefeetandpricedbetween$289,000and$349,000, eachtailoredforfirst-timehomebuyers.

Underthepublic-privatepartnershipforgedbetweentheCity,FPRA,anddevelopers,theFPRA conveyedthepropertyvaluedatapproximately$729,000,theCityallocated$847,991.74toinstall theinfrastructure,andthedevelopersareresponsibleforbuildingthehomesandidentifyingthe homebuyers.

ThisprojectalignswiththeFPRAgoalsandservesasacatalystforfuturedevelopment,the realizationofhomeownershipdreams,andfosterscommunitydevelopmentcontributingtothe revitalizationofthearea.

The program has been a beacon of hope for me and my children With affordable housing options and supportive City staff, I will be able to provide my family some stability, security, and a sense of belonging. I’m excited for the future ahead.

FELECIA ATKINS FUTURE HOMEOWNER

Community Policing

TheFPRAcontinuestofundthecommunitypolicingprograminFiscalYear2023.TheDowntown DetailprogramisenhancedtoprovideservicestotheresidentsandbusinessesoftheFPRA, specificallyDowntown.

Off-DutyOfficersoftheFortPiercePoliceDepartmentpatrolthedowntownarea,fromSeaway DrivetoCitrusAvenue,EastofUSHighway1viafootpatrols,Segway,andbicyclesandcheckin withlocalbusinesseswithinthe area.Theoff-dutyofficershavebuiltalong-lastingworking relationshipwithbusinessowners,oftenreceivingphonecallswithquestions,concernsorwhen theyneedanofficertorespondtoanon-emergencyissue.DuringthetimeframefromOctober 2022toSeptember2023,therewereapproximately240FPRAdetailsthatworkedforthe downtownarea.Therewere301callsforserviceinitiatedbyciviliansduringthedetailtimesand thetopthreeactivitiesloggedweretrafficaccidents,disturbances,andrespondingtosuspicious persons.

Community Policing

FinancialsupportfromtheFPRAenablestheFort PiercePoliceDepartmenttoallocateresources moreeffectively.Withadditionalfundingforthe downtowndetail,replacingoldandinoperable covertcameras,SchoolResourceOfficer(SRO) training,andcommunityoutreach,thepolice departmentcanenhanceitscapacitytorespond totheevolvingneedsofthecommunity.

TheFortPiercePoliceDepartment’sMobileFood ServiceTrailerisinthefinalstagesof completion Thetrailerisscheduledforitsdebut atCA MooreElementarySchoolinthe upcomingmonths FourFortPiercePolice Departmentstaffmembersattendedafood safetymanagertrainingcoursewherethey obtainedtheirfoodsafetycertificatesandthe PoliceDepartmentisexcitedtobringsmilesto thecommunitywhileservingtastymeals.

TheFortPiercePoliceDepartment’sE-Jeepquickly becameahitwiththecommunity.Itsuniquerare sizeanddesignisan absoluteconversationstarter. TheE-JeepwasshowcasedatUnityinour Community,SightsandSoundsParade,MLK CommemorativeParade,TouchaTruck,National NightOut,andmanyothermemorableevents

Community Policing

School Resource Officers

The School Resource Officers are the unsung heroes of our educational system, fostering a safe environment where students can thrive and learn, while also serving as mentors, role models, and trusted allies for our youth.

Sunrise Theatre

Over the years, the Sunrise Theatre has accomplished numerous milestones and accomplishments

One of the notable accomplishments is its commitment to offering a diverse programming that appeals to a wide range of audiences From musical shows, comedy acts and film screenings, the theatre has curated to varied tastes and interests

The theatre has actively engaged with local community through educational programs like the annual Missoula Children’s Summer Camp, the theatre offers the stage to youth of all ages allowing them to explore their talents in acting, singing and dancing

In the last year, the theatre underwent renovation to enhance its facilities. These renovations have included updates to the backstage area, technical equipment, new air conditioning system, and repainting the interior.

In April of 2023, the Sunrise Theatre partnered with the St. Lucie County Tourism Department to conduct a visitor impact study through Downs & St. Germain Research and the Economic Development Council. The study will take a year or more to complete with theatre staff providing quarterly updates of patron and visitor info which will be utilized in a tourism survey.