Placement: Resolutions
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
title
Resolution 26-R25, Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Grant FY 2025-2026
body
Submitted By: Calvin King, Jr. Project Manager - Parks & Recreation
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal to enjoy culture, nature and fun activities.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: Calvin King, Jr., Parks and Recreation
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie and Florida Inland Navigation District
3. Purpose: Improve public access to the St. Lucie River and waterfront boardwalk system by expanding parking, enhancing ADA accessibility, and adding amenities at Bridge Plaza within the Port District.
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New
5. Duration: Project kick-off October 2026 with completion by September 2027
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: The project strengthens safe, reliable public access to the waterfront while improving circulation, accessibility, and visitor experience. It also supports increased community use of the Port District and enhances access to the St. Lucie River.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): $325,000 CIP Fund, $325,000 FIND Grant funding, $650,000 total.
Presentation Information: Calvin King, Jr., Project Manager, Parks and Recreation, will provide a presentation, if requested.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Grant Resolution and direct City Attorney to obtain any necessary services to provide a complete Attorney’s Certification of Title.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the resolution.
2. Move that the Council not approve the resolution and provide staff additional direction.
Background: The City’s boardwalk system provides residents with access to walking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other waterfront recreation along the St. Lucie River, making it one of the Port District’s most valued public amenities. The City recently closed on the Bridge Plaza outparcel property, creating an opportunity to improve public access to the boardwalk system and surrounding waterfront areas.
Staff have developed two conceptual layouts for improvements at the Bridge Plaza outparcel that will expand parking capacity and enhance visitor amenities. Design is anticipated to begin in FY 2026 with construction expected to begin in FY 2027.
Proposed amenities-including a modern restroom facility, shaded seating areas, and clearly designated ADA-compliant parking and accessible routes-will make visits more comfortable, inclusive, and convenient. These improvements will enhance accessibility, support multigenerational use, and ensure that residents and visitors of all abilities can fully enjoy the City’s waterfront and boardwalk system.
The City of Port St. Lucie is seeking FIND funding to assist with maximizing parking capacity and constructing amenities that encourage greater use of the boardwalk and waterfront facilities.
Previous FIND-funded projects awarded to the City include:
FY 2017/18 - $69,702 for Riverwalk Boardwalk Part 1 Construction (SL-PSL-17-62)
FY 2018/19 - $400,000 for Riverwalk Boardwalk Extension Part 2 (SL-PSL-18-64)
FY 2019/20 - $400,000 for Riverwalk Park Boardwalk Extension Phase IIa (SL-PSL-19-66)
FY 2020/21 - $36,000 for Rivergate Canal Boat Ramp Dredging Phase I (SL-PSL-20-68)
FY 2021/22 - $235,850 for Boardwalk Under Port St. Lucie Bridge Phase IIb (SL-PSL-21-71)
FY 2022/23 - $225,100 for Boardwalk Under Port St. Lucie Bridge Phase IIb-Part 2 (SL-PSL-22-74)
FY 2023/24 - $400,000 for Upland Trails-River Boardwalk South Connection Phase I (SL-PSL-23-75)
FY 2024/25 - $180,000 for Veterans Park at Rivergate Parking Reconfiguration (SL-PSL-24-80)
Issues/Analysis: The application for funding assistance was prepared by City staff. The application was submitted by the March 4, 2026, deadline and the resolution Attorney’s certification of title contained herein is required to be submitted to FIND upon City Council approval by May 28, 2026.
Financial Information: The cost for construction of Bridge Plaza amenities and parking lot reconfiguration is estimated to be $650,000. For FY 2025-26, the City is requesting $325,000 in funding assistance from FIND. Funding has been included in the City’s CIP budget.
Special Consideration: Continued investment and development of The Port District
Location of Project: SE Port St. Lucie Blvd (Parcels 4410-503-0006-000-7 & 4410-503-0003-000-6) Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
Attachments:
1. Resolution of Grant Assistance 2026 (E-5)
2. Attorney’s Certification of Title (E-6)
3. Site Plan Parking Study Concept A
4. Site Plan Parking Study Concept B
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: 26076-05
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Russell Ward, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.