Fort Pierce board approves demolition of deteriorated building at 423 North 6th Street, urges compatible redevelopment

FORT PIERCE — On Oct. 28, 2024, the Fort Pierce Historic Preservation Board voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness (24-10) to demolish a deteriorated one‑story, 780‑square‑foot building at 423 North 6th Street, with a recommendation that the lot be redeveloped "as soon as possible" in a style and manner compatible with the surrounding historic district.

City staff told the board the building — constructed in 1924 and categorized as a non‑contributing structure in the historic district — is in poor condition and meets the board’s criteria for demolition. "The building, it's really, really, in bad shape," City staff said during the presentation and recommended approval, while urging compatible replacement development.

The applicant, Danielle Beckford of LEB Demolition and Consulting Contractors Inc., told the board her company was contracted by the owner to perform the demolition and asked for the board’s approval. "We have been contracted by the owner to demote the building in question, and we are just asking for your approval," Beckford said.

Board members questioned whether the structure could be relocated instead of demolished. One member urged preservation, saying, "We're losing all that sense of history," and asked whether the building could be moved to the historical museum with repairs. City staff cautioned that moving a building typically carries substantial costs and that there is no current historic‑preservation trust fund to cover such relocations. Staff noted targeted grants occasionally exist for specific categories of historic structures but that a general local fund for relocation or stabilization is not available.

During deliberation, a board member moved to approve the demolition with the recommendation that any redevelopment of the lot be carried out promptly and in a style compatible with the district; another member seconded the motion. The chair called the roll; five members voted yes and two members (Miss Spivey and Doctor Frisbie) were recorded as absent. The motion passed.

The board also announced administratively approved certificates of appropriateness for September 2024, excused the absences of Miss Spivey and Doctor Frisbie, and adjourned the meeting. The board’s approval is limited to the certificate of appropriateness; any future development proposals will be subject to applicable permitting and design-review processes.