Ft Pierce/ St Lucie County Port Waterfront Study
July 18,19,& 20, 1996
Conducted by Waterfronts Inc of Washington, D.C.
Recommendations

Study consisted of interviews with Property owners, potential investors, and various interested parties
On July 18 & 19 with an open public forum the evening of July 19th. Results are as follows:
There are three areas of specific interest - Downtown Ft. Pierce - Northern Waterfront (Seaway Dr. to Taylor Creek) - and South Causeway Island.
Strengths
    Abundant natural environment.
    Water recreation is the center of activity for port area and inlet - easy ocean access.
    Downtown revival.
    Waterfront restaurants.
    structures of old Florida style.
    Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
    Smithsonian Institute Research Center (under construction).
    Area of mixed use - between South Causeway and shipping terminal.
    Causeway park- - waiting to happen - a gem in the rough.
    Northern waterfront potential - McArthur and Cotton property.
    Mural program - downtown
    Downtown theater - needs to be restored and active.

Negatives
    mixed self image - ecological gem - dirty industrial city natural versus port.
    McArthur Foundation charter dis-allows development - history of site - deed restriction?
    Sewage plant - first view crossing bridge,
    Public access to waterfront areas - weak feature.
    Some dilapidation and dereliction of properties near port area.
    Power Plant appearance.
    Beach erosion,
    Marcona Industries lease - until 2014.
    Management structure of government entities - need to separate waterfront
        development from government control.
    Accessibility to the port.

Recommendations
    Economic study - private or public - market analysis of what works.
    Buy the land - County or city to gain control. McArthur, Cotton, and others.
    A. 1: grant of $8 million plus $8 million revenue bonds - Restricted to maritime uses only.
        2: Raise $8 million for McArthur and $3 million for Cotton and control all.
    B proceed with 2 berths - for what use?
    Alter management structure - create an independent waterfront development authority
    City & county or expand the scope of the Port Advisory Committee with larger 
    and better representation and accountability to the public. Better P.R. Develop a 
    plan and involve the State with funding - 60,20,20
    Don't use the theme park approach. Build on the assets we have - fit to size and 
    character of the area.
    Use public/private approach to development -public for site development and 
    private for actual development of facilities.
    Move the sewage plant - FPUA looking at moving site West of town.
    Attract a moderate sized hotel/conference center. Do a market analysis.
    Restrict the hours trucks may enter the port area for public safety and comfort.
    Image issue - more aggressive and positive P.R. (citizens must take positive view of their city)
    Use Bio-engineering (bio friendly) system for construction of bulkheading.
    Planning should encompass entire scope of port area - South Causeway to Taylor Creek
    and US. 1 to the Lagoon. (why not extend to North Causeway?)
    Citizens must stay involved in planning - organize some walks through the 
    property to familiarize the public with the area.
    Improve directional and interpretive signage in downtown and waterfront area, 
    increase the amount.
    Develop a logo for the signage to identify the waterfront features and tie things together

Size Specific
    Downtown waterfront & marina - parking away from water for easy public access to waterfront
    Enlarge and extend boardwalk and seating along northern waterfront - create a riverwalk
    Add a boat ramp at north waterfront.
    Fishermans Wharf - create a park at the end of the street at lagoon with a view of the port and         water
    Streetscape - between the Causeway bridge and the port.
    Observatlon tower at least two stories to view port area activities.
    Screen the north boundary of Marcona Industries. No one likes to look at sand piles.

20 Acre Cotton Property
    1st step is to get the word out of investment opportunity.
    Build on the existing boating activities at Taylor Creek and Lagoon - yachting Center -boat ramp
    Boating supplies or ships chandlery.
    Attract International Sailing Center or Village - World Racers
    Restaurant and Bar at corner of Taylor Creek and Lagoon. 20 ft walkway along water.
    Small Hotel or boatel.
    Interpretive center for citrus industry history - Maritime heratage Center - Treasure exhibit
    Cultural historic center.
    Cultural Arts Center with park area surrounding it for public events.
    South Causeway Island
    There is a lot of isolation and fencing - not user friendly
    Small restaurants - need public activity at night so parks can be open at night
    Pursue private aquisition of McArthur property on south side - insure public access to 
        the waterfront
    Nature interpretive and education center.
    Aquarium tied into research institutes or university.