Good Morning, Sunland
It's Wednesday! and story time! Last year, my friend Ricky, who works over at the Boys & Girls Club, invited me out to talk to some of the kids there and just kind of tell them what I do with Sunland News and everything. I met this wonderful young man. I couldn't remember his name, but he left an impression on me. Just super kind and nice and smart, just amazing.
As I'm scrolling through the news yesterday, as I'm finding stories to surface here in the newsletter, I see him. And it's Enrique Rosario-Liz. Not only is he the Port St. Lucie High School valedictorian, but he's also a member of the Boys & Girls Club and Florida Youth of the Year. I was smiling from ear to ear. I was so proud that I met him, and it makes sense that he left such an impression on me because he's such an impressive young man. I just want to give him a shout out here. Read his story and watch the interview with WPTV.
In Today's Newsletter
🏗️ King's Landing is in default, but Fort Pierce is giving the developer more time
🅿️ Fort Pierce looks at $15 million parking garage downtown
🏖️ Martin County starts $15 million beach restoration project
⚖️ Indian River County settles sheriff's budget lawsuit
🎉 Weekend events across the Treasure Coast
Do you all like this preview up top like this? Been wondering whether to keep it a go or call it a no on this.
⛅ Weather Update: Sunshine and clouds mixed.
☀️ Day: High of 80°F | Sunshine and clouds mixed. Winds E at 10-15 mph.
🌙 Night: Low of 65°F | Some clouds. Winds E at 5-10 mph. 17% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:57 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:46 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 5:34 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 6:06 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "Cool" — The Time
Ja'Min Devon
Founder & Publisher, Sunland News
🟠 Main Squeeze: King's Landing is in behind, but Fort Pierce is giving the developer more time
If you've been following the King's Landing project, then you are aware that Live Oak Development took over the $155 million waterfront development in downtown Fort Pierce in April 2025 after years of delays under the previous developer. At Tuesday night's FPRA meeting, the city's attorney confirmed the project is currently in default after Live Oak missed a key milestone deadline 🏗️.
Why it matters: King's Landing is a $155 million mixed-use development on the old HD King Power Plant site in downtown Fort Pierce that includes a 140-room Marriott Tribute hotel, condos, restaurants and retail on the waterfront. The project has been in development since 2019.
What happened 📋:
🔴 Live Oak missed the February 25th deadline to submit hotel vertical plans for city review
🔴 The vertical plan approval deadline of April 21st is now days away
🔴 The permit submission deadline of April 22nd follows the very next day
✅ Live Oak submitted 100% complete civil plans for the entire site in January
✅ Marriott gave final hotel approval February 19th, six days before the missed deadline
What the board decided 🏛️: The FPRA board chose not to pursue termination and instead directed staff to move toward a fourth amendment to the development agreement. Live Oak offered to have a new milestone schedule ready by end of this week, though staff encouraged the developer to take the time needed to get the dates right rather than rush something that would have to be revisited again.
The hotel completion date of July 11, 2028 remains unchanged, and Live Oak says the delivery date is still achievable 📅.
What's next: Live Oak submits a new milestone schedule, the city drafts the fourth amendment, and the FPRA board votes May 12th.
💬 Tell us your thoughts on this delay right here
🏠 Press Round: $15 Million Seems To Be The Number Today
⚖️ Indian River County Settles Sheriff's Budget Lawsuit
Indian River County and Sheriff Eric Flowers reached a settlement in their budget dispute during a special public meeting April 14, ending a months long lawsuit over funding. Flowers initially sought a $14.6 million increase, later revised to $12.2 million, but commissioners approved $6.9 million before the lawsuit was filed.
👉 Read more (WQCS)
🅿️ Fort Pierce Looks at $15 Million Parking Garage Downtown
Fort Pierce lost about 300 downtown parking spaces to development and is looking at building a 500 space garage at the J.C. Penney lot near the marina for $15 million. Commissioner Michael Broderick said the city should start planning now so designs are ready when funding becomes available, while officials also discussed adding parking enforcement and potentially implementing paid parking.
👉 Read more (WQCS)
🏖️ Martin County Starts $15 Million Beach Restoration Project
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started a $15 million federally funded beach restoration project Monday on Jensen Beach, dumping sand along a four mile stretch from the St. Lucie County line to Stuart Beach. The project wraps up May 1, with the beach not restored in eight years and work protecting sand, wildlife and infrastructure.
👉 Read more (WPTV)
🎉 Weekender: Events for the Weekend!
Friday, April 17
🎵 Live Jazz: Cary DeNigris & Brenna Bavis – Blues, soul, and jazz at BlueBird Bistro, 809 Delaware Ave, Fort Pierce. | 7–9 PM | Free | Details
🎭 Speakeasy Concert at Priscilla's Oasis – The Cedrick Talton Experience blues trio in the secret courtyard at 223 Orange Ave, Fort Pierce. | 7–10 PM | Details
💗 Annual Gala: Pretty in Pink Prom Night – Fundraiser gala supporting Treasure Coast breast cancer patients at River Walk Center, Fort Pierce. | 6 PM | Ticketed | Details
🎶 Perreo vs Hip-Hop – Latin trap night with DJ Cue at Blue Iguana, 6634 US-1, Port St. Lucie. | 9 PM | 18+ | $10 | Details
Saturday, April 18
🎷 Saturday Night Live Jazz: The Mary Kindred Trio – Two seatings of live jazz with dinner specials at BlueBird Bistro, 809 Delaware Ave, Fort Pierce. | 5 PM & 7 PM | Free (reservations required, tip the band) | Details
🎵 Temptation Saturdays – R&B, Afrobeats, and Caribbean vibes with DJ Tee at Blue Clarinet, 901 Avenue D, Fort Pierce. | 9 PM–2 AM | 21+ | $10 | Details
🎬 Drive-In Movie: The Little Mermaid – Drive-in screening with ice cream truck at 601 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce. | 8 PM | Ticketed | Get Tickets
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Southern Grove Success, Public House Turns 7, and Track Fundraiser
🎙️ PSL drops new podcast on Southern Grove's economic transformation – 1,200-acre I-95 jobs corridor projected 30 years, fewer than 20 acres left. CRA Director Jennifer Davis breaks it down. Listen now
🎉 Public House Fort Pierce turning 7 on April 18 – Doors 5pm, live music 8-11pm, DJ Pulse til 2am. Taco Trap food truck, Drifting Roots performing. 208 Marina Way downtown. Anniversary bash
🏃 Legacy High School raising funds for track and field – New school fundraising for track program. Donate here
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