Council accepts $400,000 Florida Inland Navigation District grant for marina dry storage; marina expansion and dock projects continue

The Vero Beach City Council approved acceptance of a Florida Inland Navigation District grant to support the marina’s dry storage building project and heard an update from marina staff on ongoing construction and grant funding.

Vote: The motion to accept the Florida Inland Navigation District grant and approve related consent agenda items passed (consent, voice vote recorded as “Aye”).

Grant and project details City staff and marina representatives told council the grant award from the Florida Inland Navigation District for the marina dry storage project was $400,000; staff noted they had requested a larger amount but took the full grant as awarded. In discussion, staff said the district historically provides funding for marina and coastal projects across the Atlantic seaboard and that this award followed several prior awards to Sebastian and other projects.

Marina construction and funding Marina manager Sean reported recent construction progress, including arrival of primary steel for the new building and phased erection plans. Sean said the project expects to go vertical within about 4–6 weeks after steel staging and that final occupancy and full operational setup (including rack systems and material handling equipment) remain on a schedule that could see early operational capacity in the first quarter of 2026.

Separately, the marina reported combined grant support totaling $1,534,000 for the South Complex project (dock and building elements) from multiple sources; staff said they will seek additional local and state funds as design changes increase project costs.

Speakers and attributions in this article are taken from the meeting transcript and limited to named marina staff and council speakers.