Commercial Truck Insurance in Fort Pierce, FL

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. —

St. Lucie County commissioners said they are one step closer in opening the doors of Buc-ee's on the Treasure Coast.

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Commissioner Cathy Townsend, chair of the Board of County Commissioners, told WPBF 25 News that they are expecting Buc-ee's to submit their site approval plan this week.

"It will definitely be a financial gain for St. Lucie County," Townsend said.

"The reason why there has been some delay is there was some property that a fire station was going to go in with fire district and a school, and there needed to be some revisions to those sites," she added.

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The commissioner said Buc-ee's has recently been given the green light by the St. Lucie County School Board to go ahead and file the application.

If all goes as planned, Buc-ee's is expected to open its doors by the northeast corner of I-95 and Indrio Road.

"If you’ve driven by a Buc-ees's, I mean you see how popular they are, they definitely draw a crowd," Wes McCurry, senior vice president of the economic development council of St. Lucie County, told WPBF 25 News.

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The country store franchise, however, isn't the only major development project on the Treasure Coast.

Costco is also coming to town at Legacy Park in Tradition.

"In the first phase, it’s going to have 265 employees, full-time employees that we pay an average just over $55,000, that’s what’s projected," McCurry said. "And probably an equal number of part-time employees as well."

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He also said they're opening more doors to manufacturing companies, like Accel, right by Costco, which ultimately means more opportunities for local residents.

"A large portion of it is workforce, about 60% commute outside of the county to go to work. So, to the extent that we can turn that flow around and keep those jobs closer to home is great for everyone," he added.

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And not to forget, the entertainment district in Tradition is also in the works to provide more restaurants for an increasing population.

Townsend also said with this growth, they're working on more housing options in Fort Pierce.

"We do need some housing here, and we do need housing that is going to be able to be affordable for the workers," the commissioner said."It’s going to be about smart growth."

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Fort Pierce - Thursday December 28, 2023: The City of Fort Pierce has presented its proposal for a Brightline train station stop in downtown Fort Pierce.

The plan calls for Fort Pierce to borrow $20 million to build the station on 2.37 acres along South Depot Drive behind the Sunrise Theatre, running along the tracks between Orange Avenue and the county-owned parking garage.

According to a release from the City, their submission is a comprehensive proposal that meets all technical requirements of the RFP and provides an attractive partnership opportunity to stimulate regional economic growth and increase ridership for the high-speed passenger rail service.

"This strategic initiative is a testament to our commitment to fostering connectivity, economic growth, and community development," states the release. "Fort Pierce has a rich history as a transportation hub, dating back to the early days of Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway and we eagerly anticipate the possibility of continuing that heritage by becoming a key stop on Brightline’s route."

Mayor Linda Hudson, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Our response to this RFP marks a significant milestone in our vision for Fort Pierce. We are eager to showcase our city's unique character, welcoming atmosphere, and countless opportunities for residents and visitors alike." The proposed train stop is poised to become a hub for transportation, serving as a gateway to the surrounding area's attractions, businesses, and cultural gems. Fort Pierce is the geographical center of the Treasure Coast and has grown to be a key location with Interstate 95, Florida’s Turnpike, Treasure Coast International Airport, and the Port of Fort Pierce.

The proposal was present to Brightline last Friday, December 22 in response to the rail carrier's RFP issued last October.

City Manager Nicholas C. Mimms, emphasized the potential benefits of the proposed train stop, saying, "This endeavor aligns with our commitment to sustainable urban development. The Fort Pierce Brightline train station will not only enhance accessibility but also contribute to the economic vitality of Fort Pierce and the Treasure Coast." The City of Fort Pierce remains optimistic about the prospect of partnering with this esteemed transportation company. We are committed to working collaboratively and diligently to achieve a mutually beneficial contractual agreement that ensures the successful establishment and operation of the Brightline Station in Downtown Fort Pierce.

For more information and to view the complete RFP, visit: Brightline Fort Pierce | Fort Pierce, FL - Official Website (cityoffortpierce.com).

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Residents in Fort Pierce are receiving new house assistance to combat the rising costs of living in Florida.

Officials with the city's grants administration division announced Monday three housing assistance programs aimed at supporting residents in achieving homeownership and maintaining a stable housing situation.

The programs are funded through a combination of federal and state grants.

All three programs will begin accepting applications on Feb. 12 at 8 a.m.

Below is a rundown of the programs:

Home Purchase Assistance Program - This program, funded in part by federal award number SLFRP5533 granted to the city of Fort Pierce by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, aims to help income-eligible individuals and families purchase homes within Fort Pierce city limits. With allocations of $515,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $205,000 from the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP), the program seeks to provide financial assistance. Applications will be processed on a first-submitted, first-qualified, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted. Interested applicants can find more information and required documents on the city of Fort Pierce website.

Residential Rehabilitation Program – This program is supported by $800,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and $350,000 from the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP). It is designed to aid income-eligible households in Fort Pierce. The program provides funds for rehabilitating existing residences. Applications will be processed on a first-submitted, first-qualified, first-served basis until all funds are allocated.

Rapid Rehousing Program - This program is focused on rental assistance and will close to applications March 12. This initiative, funded by $200,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and $50,000 from the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP), is exclusively available to Fort Pierce residents referred for assistance by social service agencies.

Applicants for the Home Purchase Assistance Program and Rehabilitation Program are required to attend a mandatory orientation session before submitting their applications. The city said failure to provide proof of orientation attendance will result in an application non-review. Those interested can register for the orientation sessions on the city's website.

For more information on eligibility criteria and application procedures, visit the city's website or contact the Grants Administration Division at 772-467-3161 or GrantsAdministration@cityoffortpierce.com.

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FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Construction is officially set to begin on a long-awaited Fort Pierce development that WPTV has reported on multiple times.

King's Landing, set to be built on the seven acres of land between Second Street and Indian River Drive in downtown Fort Pierce, was first proposed in 2019 and then passed in 2022.

Now, chain link fences have been put up around the perimeter of the plot ahead of 500 tons of dump trucks set to arrive to begin building any day now, according to real estate agent Brooke Harris.

Harris, the Team Leader for the Beachfront Brooke Team, is partnering with Audubon Development to sell some of the homes being constructed.

According to Audobon, the project includes:

"The skyline's going to completely change," Leah Booth, a 20-year resident of the area, said. "It's cool we're getting more housing, but will that housing be accessible?"

"I know people say that, but it was a power plant before," Harris countered. "I think this is a lot prettier than a power plant."

Harris added that housing, which includes a variety of homes at a variety of costs, is something Fort Pierce and the surrounding area needs, not to mention the amenities, like restaurants and retail included for families.

"We don’t have a lot of options like that in downtown Fort Pierce," Harris said.

She added the style and architecture of the homes will fit the charm Fort Pierce currently touts.

"No one is trying to take that away," Harris said.

"I'm excited for it," barber Earl Demery, who works at Legit Cuts next door, said. "I'm looking forward to the business that's going to come and help out the economy, bringing jobs for the locals and stuff like that."

"It’s a lot going on," barber Roberto Barrera said. "There's too much to it."

There were mixed reactions to the construction starting when WPTV spoke to business owners and residents Friday.

Lyly Irizarry, a new business owner, was excited to have an influx of customers coming in.

"Tickled pink? I'm going to paint the whole town pink!" Irizarry said.

Barrera added that after four years of waiting, he's just ready to see the change finally set in motion, whether for better or for worse.

"We are so ready for it to happen," Barrera said. "We are just excited to see what the changes are."

Harris said the project will take several years in total for completion but said the first phase could be done in about 18 months.

However, this is not the only Audubon Development project in the works in Florida.

A WPTV report also shows the company's CEO, Dale Matteson, has plans for two potential developments in the West Palm Beach area.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Brightline has spent more than $5 billion on what is a complex operation to provide modern train service on the 235-mile route on the east coast of Florida that encompasses the Treasure Coast region. Furthermore, the company renovated old tracks, constructed new ones and completed extensive infrastructure work that involved grade crossings, bridge modifications, and installed a second track along its right-of-way.

Also worth mentioning, the company cultivated coalitions with many government jurisdictions, transportation agencies, fought and settled lawsuits levied by some municipalities that make up the Treasure Coast region. With a train physically travelling from Orlando to Miami 32 times per day, Brightline has committed to build a train stop on the Treasure Coast within the next five years or less. Simply put, it has come down to Martin County (Stuart) or St Lucie County (Fort Pierce).

Brightline, the nation’s only provider of modern, eco-friendly intercity high-speed passenger trains, has formally launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new station on the Treasure Coast. For the record, before Brightline became en vogue, the idea of a passenger train that travels through the Treasure Coast was treated like a “political football.”

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Practically no sitting elected official of the multiple Treasure Coast municipalities wanted to touch it! However, since the concept of a high-speed passenger train has become widely accepted among constituents, most elected officials throughout the Treasure Coast region are suddenly “all aboard,” no pun intended.

Circa 2012, the consensus amongst most elected officials and residents alike was the problematic chosen route by All Aboard Florida, as it was referred to back then. And much of the dialogue went along the lines of “why don’t they choose a route in the middle of the state instead of the Treasure Coast?”

In layman’s terms, that meant it would be unfathomable for them to choose a route that would travel through the Treasure Coast! Some people like me asked: How can you tell a private company that has an alliance with industrialist Henry Flagler’s estate, it can’t build a train track that runs through the Treasure Coast?

At this point, I think we can all agree, one would be hard-pressed to find an elected official anywhere on the Treasure Coast to publicly speak out against Brightline.

Regardless of if the train was referred to as All Aboard Florida, Virgin or Brightline, the organization never lost its focus. Moreover, it persevered and now is the “talk of the town” with leverage and success stories of ridership to boot!

If you have not had a chance to take a ride on Brightline, I encourage you to do so, because there are simply no bad seats on the high-speed train. And if you choose to ride first class, the customer service is second to none.

I speak from personal experience! In full transparency, I believed, as I always have, the train stop should be in Fort Pierce. Without reservation, I have nothing bad to say about downtown Stuart, as it is eclectic in its own way and has lots to offer as a destination.

Nonetheless, I believe the city of Fort Pierce is a better fit, from both an economic and tourism perspective. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 81% of residents who live in Fort Pierce are employed outside of the community boundaries.

Twenty-eight percent of residents travel more than 10 miles each day and another 28% travel greater than 50 miles daily. Furthermore, I do not believe ridership would be a problem.

Particularly since the city of Fort Pierce is strategically located approximately two hours north of Miami and two hours south of Orlando. The choice to indulge into numerous recreational but also educational facilities, such as the Zora Neale Hurston Library, Navy SEAL Museum, Manatee Observation & Education Center, the St. Lucie County Aquarium, the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and the Heathcote Botanical Gardens, just to name a few, have turned Fort Pierce into a great destination for remote workers with young children.

This, coupled with Fort Pierce’s downtown master plan, which promotes high-quality redevelopment for mixed-use purposes, makes it an ideal place for a Brightline train stop. The prospects of King’s Landing and the Boardwalk on the Inlet are but two of the main attractions on the horizon, that would make the city of Fort Pierce a bona fide “destination location.”

Again, I take nothing away from the city of Stuart. I simply believe the upside of the city of Fort Pierce is immeasurable in comparison!

Chauncelor Howell is a retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran and president of the Treasure Coast Black Chamber of Commerce. He serves as an advisory member on the TCPalm Editorial Board.