For the first time in what seems like years since the process began, I’m starting to believe I’ll live to see the so-called “Three Corners” property become the riverfront dining, social and recreational destination our community sorely lacks.
That’s saying plenty, given the Vero Beach City Council’s history of moving at the speed of erosion when it comes to making impactful decisions, particularly when they pertain to any type of meaningful development.
And, for that reason alone, I applaud the four City Council members who last week – urged on by a packed Council chamber – possessed the foresight, wisdom and courage to push forward with the project and approve a master plan that dares to dramatically enhance our quality of life.
This potential-filled plan – albeit only conceptual in its design – doesn’t settle for merely keeping Vero Vero, a nostalgia-driven notion too often taken to extremes.
Instead, the City Council-endorsed plan promises to make Vero better by transforming 33 acres of riverfront property, now occupied by an abandoned power plant and outdated wastewater treatment facility that eventually will be relocated, into a special venue that will be celebrated for decades.
“I’m 100 percent for this project,” Vice Mayor Rey Neville said before the City Council’s vote.
All of us should be.
Imagine a wildly popular, sometimes-festive community gathering place on the mainland’s riverfront – as can be found in Sebastian, Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach and Stuart – that includes a resort-style hotel, plazas with restaurants and retail shops, a day-dock marina and picturesque walking promenade.
Now imagine those wonderful amenities in a tree-lined, park-like setting in which green space covers half of the property.
And that’s just on the north side of the 17th Street Bridge.
On the south side, current home of the city’s wastewater treatment plant, the plan envisions a Youth Sailing Foundation training and competition facility, recreational amenities and cultural areas, including a performance stage.
The third corner – a 4.3-acre parcel on the southwest corner of Indian River Boulevard and 17th Street, where Florida Power & Light built a substation on the southern half of the property – is not included in the plan but could become part of the project if needed.
That decision, though, will be made by the project’s developer, which will be chosen by the City Council if Vero Beach voters approve the master plan in a Nov. 8 referendum.
Specifically, voters will be asked to amend the City Charter by changing the land-use designation of the 17-acre, power-plant property to allow commercial ventures. The charter can’t be amended without voter approval.
There’s no commercial use planned for the 16 acres south of the bridge, so no amendment to the charter is necessary and that parcel isn’t included in the referendum.
Is there any chance city voters will reject the plan and vote “no” on the referendum?
Anything’s possible, of course, and referendums do sometimes fail. But there’s a good feel to this one, a positive community buzz that makes me believe this is the right plan at the right time in the right place.
Despite the naysaying and what-iffing we heard from the plan’s opponents – they argued a hotel wasn’t necessary, traffic congestion would become problematic, the community lacked the demographics to support it, and developers shouldn’t be trusted with a 99-year lease – there’s no good reason to not enthusiastically embrace this project.
Not only has the City Council reached out to all sectors of the community, including county residents outside Vero Beach and young people, but it also has conducted this process in the most welcoming and transparent way.
Based on the feedback the city has received, most folks agree that we need such a development, especially with newcomers still pouring into the county and limited waterfront dining and drinking options on the island.
Is there risk?
This is Florida, where the economy goes through periods of boom and bust, so we could experience tough times. But this is also Vero Beach, which tends to recover from downturns much quicker than other parts of the state.
It’s worth the gamble.
As for the other concerns expressed by opponents: There’s nothing on the list that can’t be addressed in advance.
Our city officials have managed this process exceptionally well, given the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt in choosing the right developer for the project.
In fact, city officials already have reached out to nearly a dozen developers that have shown interest in the project, and they’ll surely will hear from more if the referendum passes. Then they’ll whittle the list down and solicit proposals.
“That’s going to be a lengthy process,” City Planning Director Jason Jeffries said.
While the city will protect its interests, Jeffries said, officials also understand the project must be a worthwhile endeavor for the developer, too.
That’s why the hotel remains in the plan and there was no reduction in the length of the lease.
“We need the hotel to make it a destination and generate additional business for the restaurants and shops,” Jeffries said, adding that the hotel would probably offer 150 to 200 rooms and banquet facilities. “We also heard concerns about the 99-year lease, but developers need that type of commitment to get their financing.”
Another issue brought forth at last week’s City Council meeting was the fate of the now-idle power plant, affectionately known as “Big Blue,” and whether the unsightly 60-year-old building could be repurposed into a hotel.
It’s in the plan, but the ultimate decision rests with the developer.
“You’re still a few years away from seeing anything happening on that site – if the referendum passes,” Jeffries said. “I’m optimistic that it will, but we’d still have a lot of work to do before any type of groundbreaking.”
Any chance the riverfront will be open for business within 10 years?
“Oh, yeah,” Jeffries said. “If everything stays on track, you should see dirt moving in five years.”
That’s assuming future City Councils don’t get in the way.
City Council members serve two-year terms, and the elections for the five seats are staggered, which means power can shift almost annually.
Jeffries, however, said support for the project has been “pretty consistent” throughout his four years here.
“It’s an exciting time,” Jeffries said. “I like where we’re headed.”
But we’re not even halfway there.
There’s still plenty of time for something to go wrong, especially as we move through the next five years and we see new faces on the City Council, which has a long history of getting bogged down.
We can’t let that happen, and I don’t think we will – now that so many people agree Vero Beach needs a riverfront destination where we can dine and drink, stroll and shop, and enjoy meeting neighbors and newcomers.
I think the referendum will pass, the city will find the right developer and the riverfront will become something special.
At age 63, I think I’ll live to see it. And hopefully, it will have a much better name by then.
