Lincoln Park Main Street reports new businesses and grants but lease for Means Court space still unsigned

Lincoln Park Main Street briefed the City Commission on first- and second-quarter accomplishments for fiscal year 2025, including community programming, new commercial activity and ongoing historic-preservation projects. The presentation described public and private investments, volunteer activity and awards while flagging two key local issues: the group's lack of an executed lease for Means Court space and limited visible progress on the Lincoln Theater redevelopment.

Highlights cited by Pamela Carruthers, executive director of Lincoln Park Main Street: - Net new businesses: 16 (as previously reported to Florida Main Street for a recent period), with 29 net new jobs recorded in the reporting period presented to the commission. - Public dollars invested in the district reported as $8,480,000 and private dollars reported at $3,476,030 (figures presented from Florida Main Street reporting records; Carruthers said updated figures for 20232024 will appear in the next reporting period). - Volunteer hours reported: 3,038 (through the previous reporting cycle). - Cultural and community programs: Jazz on Moore's Creek, the Highwaymen Heritage Trail and other festivals; partnerships with local organizations including Indian River State College Small Business Development Center and the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance.

Lease and facility access: Carruthers told the commission Lincoln Park Main Street had not executed a lease for office space in Means Court because the building was not yet certified as habitable; "it idn't get executed by the city," she said. Commissioners asked the city manager and legal staff if the lease issue was on the city's radar; city staff confirmed it is under legal review and said they are coordinating to resolve outstanding issues.

Lincoln Theater and redevelopment: Commissioners and staff discussed the Lincoln Theater (owned by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee) and its slow pace of restoration. Carruthers said a 2020 state grant and a city match funded new design and budget work; REG Architects and others produced feasibility studies and recommended next steps, but Carruthers said little construction or redevelopment work has progressed since 2021. Commissioners asked the theater owners and restoration committee to appear with an updated schedule; the commission greed to invite the theater's new president, Larriton McNeely, to a future meeting.

Funding and accountability: Several commissioners emphasized that the Main Street program now receives city general-fund support and therefore merits greater accountability and clear reporting of what Main Street initiates versus city-led investments. Commissioner Broderick said staff should clarify which improvements were initiated by Lincoln Park Main Street and which were funded or led by the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency.

Quotations from the meeting "My name is Pamela Carruthers. I am with Lincoln Park Main Street..." Carruthers said when she introduced herself for the presentation. "Our lease agreement has not been executed because we are not functioning out of the building... it's just waiting until there's a green light from the city," Carruthers said of Means Court.

Ending Carruthers said Lincoln Park Main Street will send the commission its board list and newsletter mailing list and will update financial and project figures at the next reporting period. City staff said they are coordinating on the Means Court lease and will follow up with the commission on status and timeline.