Fort Pierce's $500K Emergency Sand Dump Holding Ahead of $15M Beach Renourishment
St. Lucie County poured more than 10,000 cubic yards of sand along the shoreline after a local state of emergency was declared over severe erosion.
WHAT HAPPENED: St. Lucie County dumped more than 10,000 cubic yards of emergency sand along the Fort Pierce shoreline at a cost of nearly $500,000, and officials say it is holding ahead of a $15 million renourishment project set to begin later this month.
WHAT IT MEANS: The emergency fill is acting as a sacrificial barrier protecting what remains of the dune line while the larger, permanent renourishment project gets underway. City Commissioner Michael Broderick said provisions are in place to bring in additional material if needed before the main project starts.
WHO IS AFFECTED: Beachgoers, businesses, and property owners along the Fort Pierce shoreline and Hutchinson Island are most directly affected. The Dune Bar at Jetty Park's Island Beach Bar and Restaurant — which closed due to severe erosion — has since reopened. Manager Jennifer Cranwell said customers have been returning. Additional emergency sand will also be placed farther south on Hutchinson Island.
WHAT WE DON'T KNOW: The article does not specify the source of funding for either the emergency dump or the $15 million renourishment project, nor does it identify the contractor or agency overseeing the larger project.
WHAT TO WATCH: The $15 million renourishment project is scheduled to begin later this month. No specific public hearing or vote date was provided in available records.
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