🌅🏢 Fort Pierce Pays $103K for an Empty Building

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Friday! First week back after the break has been a good one. I’ve been working on a lot behind the scenes to make the newsletter better. Huge thanks to everyone who shared feedback on the events page—improvements are on the way.

Also, I’ve been building something fun: a little “What Should I Eat?” game Watch the video here. As someone who constantly struggles to find new spots, this is something I’d actually use.

I’ve also been thinking about putting together a full guide to local restaurants. Would that be helpful? Just hit reply and let me know what you think.

Alright…

🌡️ 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 🌬️✨

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🍋 The Main Squeeze: $103K and Counting? Fort Pierce Still Paying for Empty INC Building

Here’s a story that had me going: wait, what?

Back in 2021, the City of Fort Pierce leased the historic Means Court building to a nonprofit called Incubate Neighborhood Center (INC) for $12 a year. The goal? To turn the space into an incubation hub for local businesses, complete with entrepreneurship training, a kitchen incubator, and more—right in the heart of Lincoln Park.

But today, that building is still closed. And now, a Hometown News investigation reveals Fort Pierce taxpayers have footed over $100,000 in expenses—utilities, mowing, fire monitoring—even though the lease clearly says those costs were supposed to be paid by INC.

The building? Still not open. It’s actually been labeled “unlawful” for occupancy since February 2023. And even while closed, utility bills paid by the city reportedly ranged from $1,300 to $1,800 a month. 🤯

INC’s CEO Canieria Gardner says the city told her they’d handle the utilities “despite the lease,” but no one from the city has confirmed who authorized it. Meanwhile, the nonprofit is leasing the $1 million property for $12 a year, with a written promise to take on all financial responsibility.

💬 Why It Matters: This one raises more questions than answers. From lease terms to funding promises, it spotlights deeper concerns around transparency and oversight—especially for a building many hoped would serve as a cornerstone of community and economic growth.

👉 Read the full investigation by Hometown News—it’s worth your time.

🔗 Read the Full Story

🍊 The Press Round: Costco is Near!

🏖️ Beach Safety Ramps Up Across the Treasure Coast

Lifeguards in St. Lucie, Martin, and Indian River counties are stepping up preventative safety efforts as beach attendance climbs.

“Even if you don’t need it, it’s more of a safety thing,” one visitor said.

👉 Read More

⛽ Costco Gas Station Opens Early in Stuart

Costco’s new gas station on Kanner Highway opened one month ahead of the April 25 grand opening of its Stuart warehouse — the first on the Treasure Coast.

• The site includes 24 gas pumps, a 150,000 sq. ft. store, and 350+ apartments.

• Locals are bracing for traffic, though the city says road improvements and new signals should help.

• Daily store hours will begin at 10 AM to avoid school traffic nearby.

👉 Read More

⚖️ Mimms Case: More Officials Deposed

Mayor Linda Hudson and two others will testify in the bid tampering case against ex-City Manager Nicholas Mimms.

👉 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, March 28

🎨 Art After Dark at the Norton Museum of Art – Experience live music, performances, art workshops, and reduced admission at the Norton Museum’s weekly after-dark event. | 5 PM–10 PM | Details

🤼 CCW: Anniversary 21 – Celebrate 21 years of Coastal Championship Wrestling at MIDFLORIDA Event Center. | 8 PM–10 PM | Tickets Required | Details

Saturday, March 29

🎸 Punk Show! – A raw and energetic night featuring SiKE!, Goat Rope, and Constant Throw at The Stamp Bar in Vero Beach. | 9 PM | Ages 21+ | $5 | Details

🎥 Drive-In Movie Night: Moana 2 – Watch the new Moana under the stars, milkshakes included. | 7:45 PM | Tickets Required | Details

Wednesday, April 2

🛸 Is Anybody Out There? Astronomy Workshop – Explore extraterrestrial life with IRSC’s Hallstrom Planetarium. | 7:30 PM–9:30 PM | $25 | Details

More Events

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop: Growth is not Cheap

1. 🌊 Fort Pierce Scores $10M for Lagoon Cleanup

   FPUA is getting $10 million from the state to move its wastewater plant away from the Indian River Lagoon—part of a $389M initiative to protect Florida’s waterways. 👉 Read more

2. 🏠 Why PSL’s Growth Isn’t Making Housing Cheaper

   Port St. Lucie is booming—but housing isn’t getting more affordable. 👉 Read the Full Report

3. 🦎 Tegu Lizards Taking Over St. Lucie County

   Over 1,500 Argentine black and white tegus have been captured in St. Lucie—making it a state hotspot for this invasive species. 👉 Read more

📸 This is Sunland: Photo for the Road!

See you Monday! With Love…

Ja’Min

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