🌅 👀 $2.6M Later, Construction Is Finally Happening

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Friday! we made it to the end of the week. Appreciate everybody for being here.

Quick reminders:

• Check out the new events site → events.sunland.news

• And if you haven’t already, peep the homepage we just launched this week. Big thanks to everyone who’s shown love on that.

This weekend, I’m planning to hit a few new restaurants— Anyway…

🌡️ Weather Update: Breezy vibes and scattered sunshine to close out the week

☀️ Day: High of 77°F | 🌬️ Winds picking up with a mix of sun and clouds.
🌙 Night: Low of 68°F | 🌤️ Partly cloudy skies,
🌅 Sunrise: 7:16 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:37 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “Didn’t Cha Know” by Erykah Badu 🌬️✨

🍋 The Main Squeeze: King’s Landing Breaks Ground (Finally)

Six years. That’s how long folks have been waiting to see something—anything—happen at the old power plant site in downtown Fort Pierce. And now, after a string of delays, missed starts, and handoffs between developers, the ground has officially been broken on what’s now called King’s Landing Villas.

💰 INB Homes picked up the property earlier this year for $2.6 million and wasted no time getting started. They’re promising a mix of luxury villas, waterfront views, and eventually a hotel and commercial space.

👀 Why it matters: This isn’t just another development—it’s a turning point. You can feel it. For better or worse, this is one of those projects that could reshape what downtown Fort Pierce is—not just for visitors, but for locals who’ve been here through it all.

💬 The mayor called it a “we’re ready, let’s go” moment. And from the look of it, INB Homes is backing that energy with action (and all-local contractors).

The first villas are expected to be finished in 9–10 months. So yeah, it’s real now.

👉 Read the full story: WPTV coverage here
📬 Have thoughts on the project? Hit reply or let me know your thoughts here.

🍊 The Press Round: Megayachts to Megastores

🚢 $89M Yacht at Fort Pierce Shipyard

There’s an $89 million yacht docked right here in Fort Pierce. Derecktor Shipyards is doing big things—refueling, repairs, and lifting megayachts the size of 747s. If you’re into luxury boats and big engineering, TC Palm got an up-close look. Read More

⛽ Buc-ee’s Inches Closer

Yup, Buc-ee’s is officially moving forward in St. Lucie County. State gave the green light. Final site plan’s in. Once approved, it’s a 12–15 month build. More here

🧐 Commissioner Residency Investigation

St. Lucie County Commissioner Erin Lowry is under investigation for allegedly not living in her district when elected. It’s still unfolding. See the report👉 Read More

Join the Mission and support Sunland News and help fuel the goal of delivering smarter, faster very, very local news that keeps you informed on what’s unfolding here.

💡 Why it matters: Your support allows me to keep St. Lucie County informed and engaged through the daily Sunland News newsletter—and sets the stage for tackling bigger, in-depth reporting projects in the near future.

🎁 What’s in it for you: Exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and other perks as we grow (bookstore and otherwise) this community together.

👉 Check it out here!

🎉Events: Top 5 Clicked Events For The Week!

Friday, April 11

• 🎬 Drive-In Movie Night: Venom + The Last Dance – Double feature under the stars.| 8 PM | Up to $20 | Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce | Details

Saturday, April 12

• 🎉 Family Fun Fair 2025 – A fun-filled day for families with games, entertainment, and crafts. | 10 AM–2 PM | Free | Fenn Center, Fort Pierce | Details

• 🎨 Children’s Art Festival 2025 – Art activities and hands-on fun hosted by VB Museum of Art. | 10 AM–3 PM | Free | Riverside Park Dr, Vero Beach | Details

• 🌎 Earth Day Festival – Celebrate Earth Day with hands-on eco-activities, vendors, and more. | 10 AM–4 PM | Free | Oxbow Eco-Center, Port St. Lucie | Details

• 🛍️ Full Moon Market in PSL – A chill market featuring 7 local artists and artisans. | 12 PM–4 PM | Free | Details

More Events

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop: Records, Redevelopment, and a Rain Delay for Taxes

1. 📀 Record Store Day Is Tomorrow

   Celebrate local music culture on April 13! Check out Vintage Vibes, Wax Records, Roasted Record & more across the Treasure Coast.

   👉 Vintage Vibes | Wax Records | Roasted Record | Sounds Good Musik

2. 🧾 Tax Deadline Extended for Florida

   The IRS just gave Florida filers until May 1 to file federal taxes due to recent disaster declarations.

   👉 Read more

3. 🌅 What Could Replace the Island Sewer Plant?

   Plans for Fort Pierce’s South Hutchinson Island include a new park, splash pad, marina village, and hotel. It’s early—but big changes could be coming.

   👉 View the plans

📸 This is Sunland: Photo for the Road!

I’ve been going hard for Sunland—and while I wish I could update everything in real time, I just don’t have the capacity yet. One of my goals this year is to get better at documenting what I’m building as I build it.

Thank you to everyone who’s offered encouragement, feedback, and just taken the time to read this thing. Means more than you know.

See you Monday! With Love…

Ja’Min

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