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City seeks $1 million in state or federal funds to redesign and harden Tenth Street Community Center
Summary
City staff recommended the commission adopt legislative priorities that include a request for up to $1 million toward design and build of a hardened, multi‑use Tenth Street Community Center that could serve as a resilient shelter and community facility.
At the Sept. 22 meeting the commission approved its legislative priorities for the 2026 session, including a request to seek up to $1 million for design‑build work on the Tenth Street Community Center. Community Services Director Jim Chorowski said staff propose the funding for a two‑fold purpose: to modernize and expand the facility’s role as a multi‑generational community center and to harden the building so it can serve as a shelter or support location for city operations during hurricanes and other disasters.
Chorowski noted prior evaluations showed the existing Tenth Street structure would only meet Category‑2 wind standards and that the city has no hardened alternative other than the public safety building for staff and essential functions during a major storm. The request is timed with ongoing Guy Davis Park improvements and anticipated county or FDOT work nearby and is intended to leverage CRA and other local funds if state or federal appropriations become available.
The commission approved a resolution adopting the city’s legislative priorities and asked staff to present the request to the Martin County legislative delegation in the October 21 delegation meeting; staff said the 2026 legislative session begins Jan. 13, 2026.
Why it matters: If funded, the design‑build request could both upgrade a long‑used municipal facility and provide the city with an additional hardened space for continuity of operations and community sheltering. The proposal is specifically framed to support both community programming and resilience needs rather than supplanting county or school district shelters.
