Marina project wins $400,000 FIND award; city manager and marina staff outline construction status

The council accepted a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) to support the marina and a new dry‑storage building. Council members praised city staff for securing the award and the acceptance was included in the approved consent agenda.

During the consent discussion, staff explained the FIND award of $400,000 toward the marina project. The marina manager described applying for multiple grants over time and said the award was part of a continuing pattern of FIND support for marina‑related projects along the Atlantic coast. Staff noted the city initially requested a larger award and that projects are sometimes funded at reduced levels relative to the application.

Separately, marina operations staff reported construction progress on the south complex and associated dock improvements. Project managers said primary structural steel deliveries have arrived and vertical erection of the new building was expected to begin once enough components were onsite. Staff noted a delay in delivery of a new forklift (expected early‑to‑mid March), which will slow the schedule for moving larger boats into the new dry storage racks, but they still expect the facility to be operational in early 2026 subject to equipment arrival and final inspections.

City staff also reported additional grants and appropriations related to the marina and south complex that bring the total grant support discussed at the meeting to approximately $1,534,000 across dock and building components. The council accepted the FIND award as part of the consent agenda; that vote was recorded as unanimous.