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 requested more time to assemble documentation and submit a reimbursement request. Commissioner Broderick moved to grant a 12‑month extension; Commissioner Johnson seconded. The motion passed on a recorded roll call vote (Broderick: yes; Johnson: yes; Chairwoman Hudson: yes).

1109 Delaware Avenue (Monarch Lee Homes LLC) Garcia said the applicant proposed stucco and painting, installation of impact‑resistant windows and doors, permanent landscaping and an ADA‑compliant ramp, with a total project cost of about $51,000 and a $25,000 grant request. Commissioner Broderick moved to approve the CRA advisory committee recommendation; Commissioner Johnson seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote (Broderick: yes; Johnson: yes; Chairwoman Hudson: yes).

510 Orange Avenue (Bunwin Inc.) Garcia said the property is currently vacant and the applicant indicated plans to operate an education facility. Proposed work included parking repaving and restriping, awning and canopy repairs, landscaping, new exterior flooring at the entrance, exterior lighting, painting and a perimeter fence; grant request $25,000, total investment about $75,000. Commissioner Johnson moved approval; the motion passed on roll call (Johnson: yes; Broderick: yes; Chairwoman Hudson: yes).

108 South Second Street (Galleria at Downtown Fort Pierce LLC — Fort Steakhouse) Garcia told the board the restaurant requested roughly $7,000 to install a hurricane‑impact glass door and window set in an entrance alcove. Commissioners said closing off the alcove should help address loitering concerns and improve safety. The board approved the CRA advisory committee recommendation on a roll call vote (Broderick: yes; Johnson: yes; Chairwoman Hudson: yes).

100 South Second Street (Gallery at Downtown Fort Pierce) Board discussion about the 100 South Second Street application focused on whether replacing windows would meaningfully advance the program’s intent to eliminate blight and create visible, long‑term improvements. Some board members said the building already appeared rehabilitated and that the window replacement would not substantially change the building’s appearance. Commissioner Broderick moved that the board not approve the grant amount for this item; the motion carried on roll call (Broderick: yes; Johnson: yes; Chairwoman Hudson: yes).

722 Orange Avenue (Rotanical Sanctuary LLC) — continued from July This item had been continued from the July 8 meeting. Staff said the applicant elected to keep the application as originally submitted — replacing one door and window on Unit 722, replacing the roof, and adding gravel and pavers to a vacant lot. The applicant provided additional concept renderings showing an outdoor seating area and lighting. After extended discussion about the project’s potential to spur adjacent reinvestment, a motion to approve the grant (with the condition that the work comply with the updated conceptual renderings provided to staff) passed on roll call (Johnson: yes; Broderick: yes; Chairwoman Hudson: yes). Staff said agreements will be prepared for approved projects and returned to the board in September for execution.

What the board voted on - A 12‑month extension for the 215 North Second Street façade grant; approved unanimously (three votes recorded). - Grant awards for 1109 Delaware Avenue, 510 Orange Avenue and 108 South Second Street; each approved by unanimous recorded vote. - Denial of the requested award amount for 100 South Second Street; motion to deny carried by unanimous recorded vote. - Approval of the continued application for 722 Orange Avenue with a condition that the work conform to the updated renderings; motion carried by unanimous recorded vote.

The board and staff emphasized that the CRA advisory committee’s evaluations represent minimum eligibility and that the FPRA retains discretion to approve or deny applications if they do not meet the redevelopment intent of eliminating blight and encouraging private reinvestment. Staff said remaining façade program funds will roll into the FPRA fund balance if not used this fiscal year and that staff expects to bring additional applications to the September meeting.

Notes: All direct quotations and attributions are drawn from the meeting record. The agency’s grant guidance and the CRA advisory committee evaluations were discussed on the record; staff said the program offers reimbursable matching grants up to $25,000 and that applicants must submit documentation to receive reimbursement.