The Fort Pierce City Commission enthusiastically and unanimously approved an ordinance amending the King’s Landing Planned Development including the final site plan for the long-awaited project.
“I think they’ve done a phenomenal job. I advocate for it fully,” said City Commissioner Michael Broderick. “This is the type of project that the City of Fort Pierce needs.” King’s Landing is the centerpiece of Fort Pierce redevelopment efforts. The mixed-use 7.5-acre project, on the H.D. King Power Plant property at Indian River Drive and A.E. Backus Drive, includes plans for a Tribute Hotel by Marriott, condominiums, residences, retail shops, restaurants, The Villas townhomes and parking.
The Villas, currently under construction, is the component that was separated from the others in January and transferred to a different company. Commissioners approved the sale of a parcel of the King’s Landing site from Audubon Development Inc. (Audubon) to INB Homes earlier in the year. The 10 luxury townhomes were always going to be the first step of the project.
“Love the idea, love the project, love the new design and the one-way road,” said Commissioner Arnold Gaines. “I actually want this hotel to be the gem in Florida.”
“I believe that the flow is significantly better than the original proposed plan. I think it’s a much more manageable scenario,” said Broderick.
The amended plan re-arranged building footprints and building height distribution as well as roadway connections with the site. It also provides for a greater variety of uses.
“I like what I see,” said Commissioner Curtis Johnson Jr.
With the commission currently down one person after the resignation and removal of James Taylor two months ago, there was concern that it would be difficult to get anything done because a 2-to-2 vote would not be an approval.
On King’s Landing discussions, at least, that concern was moot. In fact, cooperation among all involved went above and beyond, officials said. “The cooperation of the departments I find to be the most compelling part of this,” Broderick said.
“We’ve had a very, very open and constructive relationship,” said Planning Director Kevin Freeman. “They’ve met everything we have requested.”
“These aren’t easy projects; lots of moving parts. They’ve been probably the best that I’ve ever worked with,” said project manager Bill Ware of Live Oaks.
The initial King’s Landing agreement dates to December 2019 and the slow movement, numerous changes and project hiccups had some concerned that it would never come to fruition.
City leaders expect the completed project to give Fort Pierce the boost it needs to be a destination city with the ability to attract tourists and business leaders alike, with attractive space for conferences and other activities.
The hotel will have seven stories and the condo building will start at 11 stories, then scale down.
In discussions, commissioners campaigned for a rooftop bar somewhere in the complex; there currently is not one in the hotel plans, but there could be one in another part of the compound. A convention area on the top floor of the hotel is expected, however.
Commissioners also looked at other Marriott Tribute Hotels in Florida to get ideas on what could work best in Fort Pierce.
“Fort Pierce is halfway to Key West in attitude and latitude,” said Mayor Linda Hudson, who is hoping for an architectural style similar to the Marriott Tribute Hotel in Islamorada. “We’re trying to make Fort Pierce a better place.”
Asked where the project stands vis-a-vis the Marriott portion, Ware said, “I think the target date for approval is sometime at the end of September.”
The new approved final site plan for King’s Landing includes the following changes:
• Hotel from 140 to 148 rooms
• Retail from 17,290 square feet to 19,900
• Restaurant from 38,085 square feet to 12,900.
• Parking from 129 surface spots to 31
• Parking garage from 299 to 485
• Total parking from 428 spots to 516
• Additions of 3,500 square feet. of fitness space and 3,000 square feet of meeting rooms.
Construction of King’s Landing will be carried out in three phases:
Phase 1 is the Marriott Tribute Hotel with a completion date of no later than July 11, 2028.
Construction on Phase 2 will begin no later than May 19, 2027, and be completed no later than May 29, 2029.
Phase 3 will be finished no later than Nov. 13, 2029.
Before the vote members of the public were given the opportunity to speak.
“I am extremely pleased with what has happened here,” said resident Marsha Baker.
“We really support this project. We’re delighted to be part of the team,” said Pete Tesch, president of the St. Lucie County Economic Development Council (EDC). “Hooray! Congratulations to us and to you,” said Hudson after the four board members unanimously approved the project.