Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Discussion
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The Port District’s River Food Garden Update
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Submitted By: Jennifer Davis, Director, Community Redevelopment Agency
Executive Summary (General Business): PIII Investments, LLC, and their restaurant partners have requested to provide an update to the CRA Board with general information on the River Food Garden construction and respective timeline.
Presentation Information: Staff will provide an introduction, and the restaurant developer and team will provide a more comprehensive update. No CRA Board action is requested following the presentation as the First Amendment to the Lease Agreement will be brought forward by Ordinance to City Council for consideration and action.
Background: In late 2020, the City of Port St. Lucie engaged Colliers International to assist with marketing and recruitment efforts for the riverfront restaurant site in The Port District. Subsequently, Colliers worked closely with several interested parties and brought forward PIII Investments, LLC, with a restaurant village concept for the site in January 2022. City staff worked with the proposed developer on the lease terms and conditions and a lease agreement was approved by City Council on January 23, 2023. The overall park site was under construction from August 2022 to June 2024, when the park site and playground was opened to the public by way of a grand opening, PortFest. While the park was under construction, the restaurant developer worked with architects and engineers to prepare civil and construction drawings for the River Food Garden concept. Since the site was turned over in June 2024, the restaurant developer has been working through minor changes to the drawings and through the pre-permitting process with the City and other regulatory agencies. The restaurant developer will use this opportunity to introduce their collaborative team for the next phase of their project: construction and operation.
Issues/Analysis: N/A
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: By way of Ordinance, the First Amendment to the Lease Agreement will be brought forward to City Council for review and consideration once all terms have been agreed upon by both parties and ample publication has been achieved.
Location of Project: The River Food Garden will be located in The Port District along the east shore of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, adjacent to the newly opened Pioneer Park Playground, Event Lawn, Botanical Gardens, History and Education Center, and Boardwalk.
Attachments: 1. River Food Garden presentation by developer
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 25141-05
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Margaret M. Carland, Senior Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.