WATERFRONT
The Fort Pierce City Marina is popular with boaters because of its easy access
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SEA GRASSES
One of those issues was mitigation for impacts on sea
grasses. Seissiger said the city is giving the state 56 acres of
submerged land near the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, also
known as Dynamite Point.
The Corps in September announced its intent to issue permits.
They were offered to, and approved by, the Fort Pierce
City Commission on Dec. 20, paving the way to call for bids on
the project in May 2011. Work is expected to begin in August,
just shy of the start of the seventh year since the hurricanes.
Replacing the slips will cost about $11 million. The marina’s
insurance will cover $6.5 million, the state will pay $1
million and FEMA will pay the rest.
The docks will project into the Indian River Lagoon but
will be protected by the new chain of islands. They will begin
near the fountain in Marina Square Park and end about 600
feet south of the causeway.
The largest island will be 14.13 acres; the smallest, 1/10th
of an acre. They will be 600 to 700 feet offshore.
The islands will be planted with mangroves to attract birds
and fish, and oyster shells will be planted to attract oyster larvae.
Captain Chop Lege, who runs a tour boat from the marina
and is a volunteer monitor for the Audubon Society, said the
islands will interest bird watchers and offer a nearby sightseeing
opportunity.
With many visitors living on their boats, the marina
provides customers for the downtown stores and restaurants
and boosts the economy of downtown Fort Pierce,
Kubitschek said.
“The marina has a 95 percent occupancy rate,” he said. “It’s
like a small hotel.
to the ocean and the Indian River.
“A favorite of the people living aboard their boats is the
Fort Pierce Farmer’s Market,” he said. “They go to events
like Friday Fest and the car show, and they go to shows at the
Sunrise Theatre. Each dollar they spend is re-spent at least
five times.”
Because of its easy access to the ocean, the marina is a destination
for boaters up and down the East Coast, he said. One
draw is that so much is available within walking distance —
even a public library.
“The marina serves a purpose for the boaters, increases
tourism for the city, and helps as an economic generator for
the city of Fort Pierce,” Kubitschek said.
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