St. Lucie County commissioners Tuesday reviewed proposals for the Port of Fort Pierce's 2026 Master Plan that would transform the waterfront with a mega-yacht marina, spaceport recovery facility and expanded boat ramps. The comprehensive plan addresses critical boating infrastructure needs in St. Lucie County, where nearly 15,000 registered boats compete for just 147 boat trailer parking spaces within three miles of the Fort Pierce Inlet, county data shows.
The master plan's centerpiece involves redeveloping Harbour Pointe to create the Treasure Coast's largest boat ramp facility, Commissioner James Clasby told residents at Tuesday's meeting. The Harbour Pointe development would include a marine commercial district featuring restaurants, an amphitheater, education center and living shoreline designed to enhance both recreation and environmental protection, according to Joshua Revord, director of St. Lucie County Port Inlet and Beaches. Adding the facility will almost double the boat ramp capacity for parking, Clasby said during the public discussion.
The plan's most controversial element involves redeveloping Museum Pointe waterfront park with a mega-yacht marina and clubhouse, according to master plan renderings shared with commissioners. Fort Pierce resident Sean DeRosa expressed opposition to the Museum Pointe proposal during Tuesday's meeting, saying there are many places to put marinas but blocking that water view and picnic area is not the right spot.
Neighbor Paul Sinnott raised concerns about relocating the existing history center. Revord clarified that displacing the museum was never intended and that the facility would either be incorporated into new development or relocated appropriately.
Beyond marine improvements, the master plan proposes establishing a spaceport recovery facility at the Port of Fort Pierce to capitalize on Florida's expanding aerospace sector. In Canaveral there's limited space for space, Revord explained, referencing capacity constraints at Kennedy Space Center. The Port of Fort Pierce master plan remains under review by St. Lucie County commissioners, with final approval authority resting with Fort Pierce city officials. The 2026 Master Plan represents a multi-year development timeline addressing both immediate boating infrastructure needs and long-term economic diversification goals for the Port of Fort Pierce.