FPRA approves multiple commercial facade grants, grants 12‑month extension for 215 N. Second St.

The Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency on Aug. 12 approved four commercial facade grants, denied a fifth application and granted a 12‑month extension for work at 215 North Second Street.

The board voted to approve the CRA advisory committee’s recommendations for grants to Monarch Lee Homes LLC at 1109 Delaware Avenue ($25,000); Bunwin Inc. at 510 Orange Avenue ($25,000); Galleria at Downtown Fort Pierce LLC for work at 108 South Second Street (about $7,000); and a separate award for 215 North Second Street to allow more time to complete already‑underway work. The agency denied the grant request for 100 South Second Street after discussion of whether the proposed work met the program’s intent.

Miriam Garcia, FPRA staff, described the program as a reimbursable grant that matches 50% of eligible work up to $25,000 and said the façade program seeks to “significantly enhance the appearance of the buildings and eliminate slum and blight within our FPRA district.” She told the board the fiscal year budget for the program is $300,000, that $92,807.50 had already been awarded this fiscal year, and that about $207,001.92 remained as of the meeting. Garcia said staff had received additional applications that may appear on the September agenda.

On 215 North Second Street — listed in the agenda as FPRA Resolution No. 25‑13 and described as commercial façade work for the Gloria Roa Boden office — Garcia told the board the porch and most parking work were complete and that the applicant…