Fort Pierce city commissioners voted 3-2 Monday night to give developers of the King's Landing project another six months to secure $15 million for a planned Marriott hotel, marking the fifth extension granted for the long-delayed project after a motion to terminate the development agreement failed. The vote came after developers Live Oak Holdings missed a July deadline and extends a timeline that has now stretched seven years.
Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky made a motion to terminate the development agreement entirely, expressing frustration with the project's timeline. The motion failed, and Dzadovsky said he was disappointed in the outcome. He predicted the extension would not change the result, saying he believes six months from now the commission will be back where it started.
Developer Bill Ware attended the meeting and asked commissioners not to hold Live Oak accountable for delays that occurred before the company was approved in an April 2025 third amendment to the development agreement. Ware said he would continue providing monthly and quarterly updates on the project's progress.
The commissioners agreed to move forward with the 180-day extension but instructed the developers to formally document their default. Commissioner Michael Broderick warned that the city's concerns must be addressed in that document or it will not be approved. The multi-million-dollar King's Landing project is expected to include a Marriott hotel, restaurant, residential units, retail space, and a parking garage near the downtown marina.