The Fort Pierce World Changers Mission Project, a week-long event involving volunteers from many churches and denominations, brought 77 volunteer participants and 8 staff and leadership personnel to our community June 26 to July 1 to serve the Fort Pierce community. This represented an increase in participation this year, for which we are grateful. The volunteers, who paid a $290 registration fee to participate, painted homes, cleaned yards, did minor exterior repairs, and served at Mustard Seed
Ministries, the Boys and Girls Clubs on Jenkins Road and at Graceway Village.
The World Changers staff arranged lunches for each crew to be provided by local churches. The City of Fort Pierce provided the painting materials. The City also made the Recreation Center at 903 South 21st Street available for lodging and sponsored dinner for the Wednesday worship service on June 28. World Changers’ staff also obtained a contract with a local caterer to provide breakfasts and dinners for all participants at the Recreation Center.
The City of Fort Pierce, Florida, has established a tradition of celebrating Juneteenth, the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the arrival of Union soldiers in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, and the announcement that all enslaved people were free. Every year, Fort Pierce sponsors various events to honor African Americans’ history and culture, as well as their contributions to society.
On June 17, 2023, the Incubate Neighborhood Center hosted a block party, a pop-up art exhibit, and the debut of Miss Juneteenth. Live music, food sellers, children’s activities, speeches, and prayers were all part of these celebrations.
On Juneteenth Day, the Fort Pierce community celebrated freedom, unity, and hope for the future.
Under the leadership of Cassandra Jackson, Fort Pierce Recreation Specialist, the Fort Pierce Firehawks youth football organization teamed up with Kids and Pros, a non profit sports organization founded in 2002 by former Atlanta Falcons players Buddy Curry and Bobby Butler to bring together NFL players and youth 7 – 13 years of age in their communities, to teach fundamental football skills and character building values in our community at a free clinic June 24, 2023, at Lawnwood Stadium, 1302 Virginia Ave, Fort Pierce. 195 kids registered for this 2nd annual program that included basic skills instruction, game changing behaviors, a parents meeting, autograph opportunities, and instruction for coaches of youth teams. Kids and Pros has brought this program to over 80,000 young athletes nationally. Local participants declare it a resounding success.
Fort Pierce Firehawks Cheer Commissioner Sharee McBride, along with volunteer cheer coaches and
staff, hosted their 4th Annual Cheer Clinic June 17, 2023, at the Fort Pierce Recreation Center, 903 S. 21st St, Fort Pierce, for registered cheerleaders for the upcoming 2023 Pop Warner youth football season. The day long clinic focused on fundamentals of cheerleading, team building, and life skills. Special additional training based on age and current skill level was provided to help participants improve their techniques for advancement to higher levels of Show Cheer and Sideline Cheer with Pom, Theme and Dance skills.
Officers and civilian personnel from the Fort Pierce Police Department joined with members of the Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation on June 10 for a fantastic day for members of the Courageous Kids program.
Ernie Small, President of the Sailing Foundation, two of his instructors and volunteers from the Police Department worked with the youth participants at Jaycee Park to learn about sailing and enjoy some quality time together on the Indian River. By the end of the day, everybody wanted to stay on the water – even those who had been a bit apprehensive at first!
Leaders expected more than 100 youth participants this year based on past attendance. The Courageous Kids participating are often new to water based activity and the program gives them new experiences, new confidence, and new beliefs in what the future can hold.
The Courageous Kids program facilitates building positive relations between our youth, the community and law enforcement. The program is dedicated to helping our children and youths gain confidence and become courageous in their decision-making. By introducing them to different sports, providing positive educational experiences and countless mentoring opportunities, they can feel comfortable talking and interacting with police officers. Our officers, civilian personnel and volunteers spend time reminding our Courageous Kids that they are valued, appreciated and vital to our future. A weekly mentorship program well attended by enthusiastic and involved kids takes place every Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at First Step Park, located at Avenue G and North 31st Street in Fort Pierce.
Chief Diane Hobley-Burney, Deputy Chief Robert Ridle, Deputy Chief Kenny Norris and several other officers appeared before Mayor Linda Hudson and members of the City Commission on June 12 to present an overview of the Fort Pierce Police Department.
Chief Hobley-Burney talked about the Centennial Anniversary of the Police Department and offered thanks to all of those who participated in the special event. She also highlighted many of the significant achievements for the Police Department, including accreditation, the unveiling of the “Hero” statue, the dedication of the Sergeant Danny Parrish Fallen First Responders Park, the Faith & Blue event, a ceremony honoring volunteers, charity bike rides honoring fallen officers, the highly successful Tip A Cop events for Special Olympics, the weekly Courageous Kids program and the growth of the agency’s Facebook page.
Chief Hobley-Burney also discussed current staffing levels and future needs as the local community continues to grow at a rapid pace. She offered a variety of statistics about calls for service, areas that need extra attention, deferred calls, and the impending retirements of 23 officers in the next five years.
Deputy Chief Ridle addressed some of the technological advantages the Police Department is putting to good use, such as Flock Safety Automatic License Plate Readers, patrol vehicle camera systems and body cameras. He also talked about future equipment needs that include more cameras, new patrol and rescue boats and more patrol vehicles.
Deputy Chief Norris discussed the Community Policing Bureau, which includes the Patrol Division, the Criminal Investigations Division, the Crime Suppression Unit, and the K-9 Unit. He also addressed the rapidly increasing volume of calls for service and traffic enforcement, followed by a breakdown and statistics regarding each of the units he oversees.
Chief Hobley-Burney closed the session by pointing out that “Heroes Work at the Fort Pierce Police Department.” She offered thanks to the members of the Police Community Advisory Committee and answered questions from the Mayor and all the Commissioners
On June 12, 2023, the Fort Pierce Police Department welcomed the newest member of its family, swearing in Major Michael Santiago, a 27-year law enforcement veteran who spent 25 years with the Lauderhill Police Department. He was sworn in by Chief Diane Hobley-Burney in front of his immediate family members and his Fort Pierce Police Department family.
Prior to joining the Fort Pierce Police Department, Santiago held positions in a variety of operational assignments, including an attachment to the FBI organized crime task force, supervisor of Patrol Operations, a Major Narcotics group assigned to the Metro-Broward Drug Task Force, and Major Crimes for the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. He also served more than eight years as the SWAT Team Commander, the Major for the Special Operations Division and the Public Information Officer until his recent retirement from the Lauderhill Police Department.
The Fort Pierce Animal Adoption Center joined together with the Humane Society of St. Lucie County, St. Lucie County Animal Safety, Services and Protection as well as many of our local animal rescue groups to host a Mega Pet Adoption Event the weekend of June 23 – 25th at the Havert L. Fenn Center. Each organization participated in the planning and management of the event to show the community that we are all working towards the same goal – finding homes for our homeless animals. The event was, without question, a Mega Success! From our own Animal Adoption Center room, 28 animals were adopted!! And while adoption fees were waived for most adoptions, the support of the community provided almost $1,200.00 in donations, which will be used to provide care for the animals still waiting to find their new family.
We congratulate all the adopters who have a new family member and thank everyone who helped make the event a success. We are looking forward to working with our community partners on future joint events.
Construction is ongoing at the Mayfair at Lawnwood Apartments. Apartments are being completed in phases with two apartment buildings in early stages of structural framing and concrete block installation; one apartment building with stucco freshly applied and drywall installed; and the final apartment building nearing completion, already painted and water heating equipment installed.
Wall signage and decorative awnings are being installed for Chipotle near the intersection of Okeechobee Rd and Jenkins Rd. Just east of Chipotle, construction is ongoing for the second Fort Pierce Aldi location. Interior framing and electrical wiring is currently being installed and inspected for compliance with the Florida Building Code and National Electrical Code.
The new 34,000 square foot warehouse is nearing completion for Jetson TV & Appliance. Once completed, the existing warehouse will undergo a major renovation as well. Additional paving, stormwater drainage and site lighting is also permitted for this project.
May 2023 Building Permit Applications
May 2023 Building Inspection Activity
May 2023 New Construction Values
$300,000 NEW SITEWORK PERMITS
$6,099,313 NEW SINGLE FAMILY/DUPLEX PERMITS
These figures are based on permits issued in April 2023 for New Construction
The 2nd week of June, the Sunrise Theatre hosted 30 children here for the summer camp performance of Beauty Lou & The Country Beast. For a whole week, morning to late afternoon, kiddos were running throughout the Theatre, designing props and giggling away as they ate lunch together. It was as if the Theatre was inwardly smiling from the Missoula Children’s Summer Camp excitement. The Sunrise Theatre and Sunrise Theatre Foundation partner annually to bring the
Missoula Children’s Summer Camp to Fort Pierce to give youth in our community an opportunity to express their creative talents in acting, singing, and dancing.
The Sunrise Theatre is quickly gearing up for the next Missoula Children’s Theatre Summer Camp with the featured performance, Rapunzel, which is already near max capacity with students! More cheers, laughs, and kiddoes running around come July 10th!
And, for the adult followers, the new 2023/24 season has been announced with a full slate of incredible shows lined up with a wide variety of themes from which to choose. The Sunrise Theatre will be adding additional show announcements so please stay tuned!
The Sunrise Theatre will host its centennial celebration on Saturday, July 29th at 7:00 PM. The theme is prohibition, with a 20’s style Speakeasy featuring jazz playing, casino room, bourbon and champagne toasting and so much more! The Sunrise Speakeasy, presented by St. Lucie Battery & Tire, promises to be a oncein-a lifetime event. Snag your tickets and come dressed in your 20’s best! For more info, visit: www.sunrisetheatre.com or call the box office at 772.461.4775.
City of Fort Pierce recognized our Public Works Department in April 2023 in observance of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, a global event instituted by the International Labour Organization, the only tripartite U.N. agency, celebrated annually since 1919. The purpose of this day is to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awareness-raising campaign intended to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem and how creating a safe and healthy culture can help reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries. As employers, we are responsible for ensuring that the work environment is safe and healthy and leading the creation of preventative measures. As employees, we are responsible for working safely, protecting ourselves, not endangering others and embracing implementation of new and established preventive measures.
In April, our Public Works staff was honored for all they accomplish while maintaining an outstanding safety record. Those that were injury and accident free for a year received congratulatory certificates presented by Mayor Linda Hudson and were eligible to be part of a raffle in which the City Manager gave away two Administrative Days off. Commissioner Curtis Johnson also attended the event and, together with Mayor Hudson, expressed their thankfulness for our Public Works team.
Mother Nature has been a BIG HELP so far this summer! The regular afternoon rain showers along with the higher temperatures this May-June have been a great addition to our weekly course maintenance. The fairways and tees have been spiked and have received their first chemical insect application which will go a long way to their improvement. The second application will take place in mid June. The organic liquid fertilizers that we have been applying to the fairways are doing a tremendous job and will be instrumental in our future success.
Thank you to our IT Department who were able to help us connect our new irrigation computer from RainBird. The new computer will have the latest software and it’s updates going forward which will allow the system to work more efficiently. The system will also be under warranty should we incur any damage from a lightning storm.
From a maintenance standpoint, we will continue to be VERY aggressive this summer in regard to improving our turfgrass and eliminating weeds. Our first greens aeration project was completed successfully in mid May and 30 days later we were back to 100%. Our second and final greens aeration is scheduled for early September depending on weather. The healthier that we can make the turfgrass, the more that alone will help to eliminate weeds.
Word of mouth is our greatest form of advertising, so we ask if you’ve played here and enjoyed the changes we’re making, please tell a friend….or two! If there’s something we can improve upon…tell US so we can keep getting better! We thank all of our members and guests for their support and we ask that you please “Like” and “Follow Us” on Facebook or Instagram to see almost daily updates on the golf course and our ongoing maintenance projects.
Avenue B (13th Street to 8th Street)
Construction continues with improvements moving east of 10th Street. Drainage work at 9th Street has been completed, curb, gutter and sidewalk are being formed. Underground utility conduit installation is nearing completion, with pedestals and junction boxes to remain.
Avenue D (Indian River Drive to 29th Street)
The most recent submittal for the resurfacing of Avenue D from 29th Street to US 1 is currently in review. The project is anticipated to be out for bid in July.
Ohio Avenue
(US Highway 1 to 11th Street)
A pre-construction meeting has been scheduled for July 12, 2023, and construction commencement is anticipated for September 2023.
The Annual Resurfacing Contract Request for Proposals has been advertised and bids are due July 27, 2023. The term of this contract is three years with options to renew for two additional one-year periods.
The contractor proposal for the restriping of Delaware Avenue is scheduled for approval at the July 17 Commission meeting.
The Oaks at Moore’s Creek Phase II (Means Court Extension)
The project includes the extension of Means Court roadway between Avenue B and Moore’s Creek to support a 15lot single-family affordable housing subdivision. Improvements include water, sewer, gas, and storm drainage facilities, along with sidewalks, curb & gutter, street lighting, landscaping, and underground electric.
Current work activities include the installation of the conduits for fiber, street lighting, and underground electric, along with sidewalk and driveway apron construction.
