🛣️ No Green Light for 13th Street

TL;DR: The City of Fort Pierce’s request for $2 million in state funding to help complete Phase 2 of the 13th Street reconstruction has been denied, according to the April city manager’s report. This setback comes as the city ramps up other redevelopment efforts in Lincoln Park, including plans to purchase key properties around the upcoming Florida Highwaymen Museum.

💬 Why It Matters: 13th Street runs through several school zones and high-pedestrian areas in Fort Pierce, and the project has already been delayed for more than a decade. Without state support, the city will need to fully fund the $5.7 million project itself or find new sources of outside funding.

📄 Where We Found It: The funding denial wasn’t announced in a press release—it was noted in the latest monthly report from the interim city manager, ahead of what is expected to be the new city manager’s first commission meeting tonight.

Phase 2 of the 13th Street project spans half a mile, from Georgia Avenue to Virginia Avenue. Plans include drainage upgrades, sidewalk reconstruction, new street lighting, signalization, and the piping of a canal that runs near three public schools.

Despite the city securing over $3.7 million in local match funds, the additional $2 million from the state won’t be coming this year.

🏚️ Meanwhile in Lincoln Park: City leaders are looking to buy a gutted building at 1236 Avenue D, just steps from the new Florida Highwaymen Museum site. The building sits between two city-owned properties, and officials say controlling this parcel could be key to the area’s long-term redevelopment.

Commissioners, acting as the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency (FPRA), unanimously voted last week to start negotiations with the property owner. If successful, the building would fold into a larger Lincoln Park Master Plan, which the city is just beginning to develop with community input.

“This is a very important corner,” said Community and Economic Development Director Shyanne Harnage. “If we don’t act, it can continue to be a challenge to what we’re trying to do.”

🗓 What’s Next:

• Tonight’s city commission meeting may offer more insight into both the 13th Street funding gap and the redevelopment plans in Lincoln Park.
• A final design for Phase 2 of the 13th Street project is expected this month.
• Construction was originally set to begin in September 2024, but it’s unclear if that timeline still holds.

🔗 Read City Manager report here