Staff outlines façade grants, Festival Street concept and Lincoln Park master plan

City staff presented several downtown revitalization updates to the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency board, including grant programs and planning projects intended to attract investment and improve the streetscape.

Mary Ann, commercial façade and grants staff, said the city relaunched a commercial façade grant that reimburses 50% of exterior work up to $25,000 and a commercial sign grant up to $5,000; staff is piloting an approach to pay contractors directly to help property owners who lack cash up front. “A lot of people don’t have the money up front to pay for these grants, so we’re working on that,” Mary Ann said.

Jessica (city staff) described a Downtown Festival Street proposal drawn from the 2022 downtown master plan that would reconfigure portions of 2nd Street—roughly Marina Way to Orange Avenue—to create a pedestrian‑friendly space that can support events, vendors and streetscaping. Jessica said the plan has been submitted for legal review and that community engagement and grant eligibility work remain.

Jessica also said the city selected the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to develop a Lincoln Park master plan focused on neighborhood stabilization and strategic investments across a study area from Orange Avenue to South 33rd and adjacent blocks. She said the work will include community engagement and build on prior plans.

Board members asked about space for large events, the role of first‑floor retail, and shade trees and landscaping to improve downtown comfort. Staff said Marina Square and Riverwalk Center will likely still host the largest events while the Festival Street idea focuses on improving pedestrian experience and support for small businesses.

Next steps: staff will continue community engagement, submit final materials for legal review, and return updates to the board in monthly reports.