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Downtown vendors and Main Street voice mixed support, parking concerns for Marina Square plan
Summary
Public commenters and market managers praised Marina Square’s amenities but urged clearer plans for vendor space, construction impacts and parking during the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency meeting Sept. 9.
Several downtown stakeholders told the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency on Sept. 9 that the Marina Square revitalization concept could bring new visitors and amenities but needs clearer plans for markets, vendor capacity and construction parking.
Main Street Fort Pierce representative Michelle Chaffee Cavalcanti said the organization had been consulted through design and praised elements including a splash pad, expanded waterfront access and additional public restrooms. "The additional public restrooms mean that we no longer will have to have porta lets," Chaffee Cavalcanti said, adding that the design could make Friday Fest more resilient to weather and increase downtown spending.
Market managers urged changes to protect existing vendor economies. Gian Malachy, market manager for the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmer’s Market, said the current conceptual design lacks enough vendor space and coordination with existing market schedules. "Together, these markets bring hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors downtown each week," Malachy said, and asked that the proposed vendor colonnade provide at least 200 vendor spaces (roughly 10-by-10-foot stalls) with access to power and water.
Leaders of the Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society, including board president Henry Schmidt, said the society has relied on weekly markets for revenue and scholarships and urged planners to clarify where markets would relocate during construction. Society member Letty Metcalfe said she appreciates downtown’s "quaintness" and suggested repairing existing features such as the gazebo rather than large-scale replacement.
A resident who identified herself as Miss Bodine raised immediate parking and timing concerns tied to construction crews and asked whether staging or paved back-lot parking at the railroad tracks is planned. The FPRA chair responded that the pulled agenda item would be addressed later and that public comments were recorded for follow-up.
Agency staff and commissioners acknowledged the concerns and said community input will continue. Commissioners stressed the importance of further coordination on construction schedules, vendor needs and parking solutions as the project advances through design and funding stages.
Members of the public may expect further opportunity to comment as the Marina Square concept moves into later design phases and funding discussions.
