St. Lucie County presents Port Master Plan update; county seeks grant readiness and public access protections

St. Lucie County officials and consultants presented a Port Master Plan update to the Fort Pierce City Commission on Sept. 14, describing a document intended to refresh the 2020 plan and make the port more grant‑ready. Joshua Revoord, director of Port Inlet and Beaches, said the update “expands on the vision” and remains aligned with the 2020 plan’s core elements: mega‑yacht maintenance/repair/outfitting (MRO), flexible import‑export facilities, and public waterfront access.

John Corley of Kimley‑Horn walked commissioners through the plan graphics and said the 2026 update increases the study area to capture additional parcels and potential uses. He highlighted opportunities tied to the mega‑yacht market and to support for the Florida spaceport system, including handling barge‑returned rocket components. Corley said the study documents public‑access elements such as a Harbor Point marina, shared‑use trails, living shoreline protections, and an amphitheater; he also noted the county’s receipt of $2.7 million toward a regional boat‑ramp facility.

Commissioners pressed on preservation of green space, museum continuity at Museum Pointe, public access with some commercially managed components, and traffic/connectivity measures linking Lincoln Park. Revoord emphasized that the update is a tool for grant funding and does not itself force construction; he said federal permitting (Section 10) would govern any channel changes and that the county remains the local sponsor for federal navigation maintenance.

The presentation closed after a commissioner Q&A; staff said the county will accept public comments and that Board of County Commissioners direction will guide which elements proceed to implementation.