Vero Beach Council rescinds sidewalk plan, approves pursuit of concrete Humiston boardwalk

The Vero Beach City Council voted unanimously to rescind its prior selection of a sidewalk to replace the storm‑damaged Humiston Park structure and approved pursuing a concrete boardwalk with specific siting and design parameters.

Council members made the decision after staff presented background on earlier actions and funding prospects and after more than an hour of council discussion and public comment urging a boardwalk. The council also approved a companion resolution authorizing the Indian River Community Foundation to serve as the fiscal agent for private donations to the Humiston Boardwalk Fund.

City staff told the council that the city selected “alternative 3,” a concrete sidewalk, on June 11 following the November 2022 Hurricane Nicole damage. Since then, the county agreed Dec. 17 to commit $400,000 toward the sidewalk option; staff said that commitment would be reduced by any FEMA or other grants the project received. Staff briefed the council on recent public pledges and reported that the Indian River Community Foundation had agreed to collect donated funds on the project’s behalf.

“Staff would recommend a concrete boardwalk alternative as it’s more durable, would have a longer life and require less maintenance than a wood boardwalk,” a city staff member said…