Vero Beach Faces Year of Change and Challenge

Vero Beach: A Year of Change and Challenge on the Treasure Coast

This year has been a wild ride for Vero Beach and the rest of the Treasure Coast, filled with dramatic weather events, political shifts, and new developments that have kept everyone talking.

Weather Wreaks Havoc

One of the most talked-about happenings this year was the arrival of Hurricane Milton, which made its mark across several counties including Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River. What was particularly terrifying were the at least 11 tornadoes that churned out of the storm on October 9, just hours before the hurricane’s eye hit land near Siesta Key. These tornadoes, with intensities ranging from EF0 to EF3, had paths that spanned from 3 to an astonishing 31 miles, tearing through areas like Hobe Sound, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach itself.

Sadly, the storm was deadly, claiming six lives at the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village in St. Lucie County, with a seventh death recorded when a man was killed while putting up hurricane shutters on his Port St. Lucie home. The terrifying storm garnered national attention, drawing anchors from networks like CNN and ABC to cover the aftermath extensively.

Political Drama

On the political front, some notable shake-ups took place as well. In St. Lucie County, voters sent ripples through the establishment, notably ousting incumbent Sheriff Keith Pearson in the most costly local election in the county’s history. He was defeated by acting Police Chief Richard Del Toro after a heated race. In Vero Beach, the city’s political landscape saw a significant change as well, with the removal of Mayor Becky Bruner and City Commissioner Troy McDonald, paving the way for Laura Giobbi and Sean Reed to step in.

High-Speed Rail Hurdles Ahead

Moreover, the high-speed rail company Brightline made headlines for its $45 million deal to build a station at 500 S.E. Flagler Ave. in Stuart. While they started with just four coaches, demand is pushing for more space, leading to trains that can now roll with five coaches. If more growth continues, we could see trains accommodating up to ten coaches! However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing, as various proposals for a station in Fort Pierce and the complications surrounding a Stuart station have added to the tension.

A Controversial Outdoor Initiative

Another hot topic was Florida’s Great Outdoors Initiative. When leaked documents revealed plans to develop nine state parks, including adding three golf courses to protected areas, blowback was swift. Floridians protested fiercely, leading Governor Ron DeSantis to hit the brakes on these plans—for at least a year that is.

A Closer Look at Development

On the development front, exciting things are afoot—Buc-ee’s is aiming to make a splash with its travel center in St. Lucie County, relying on site plan approval to kick-start construction by late 2024 or early 2025. Meanwhile, **Vero Beach’s** own VCOM medical school is gearing up to open a sixth campus, contributing to healthcare needs across Florida. They’ve set ambitious deadlines to ensure the campus is not just a vision but a reality.

More Changes in Store

The community isn’t just watching the political landscape shift, but also seeing the changes unfold at the Indian River Mall after its sale for $14.8 million. Developers are working to revive the area, looking for tenants and considering the potential for housing and hotels on-site.

As 2024 continues to unfold, all eyes are on how these changes will alter the fabric of Vero Beach and its neighboring communities. Challenges are aplenty, but with every challenge comes opportunity—one thing is for sure, the Treasure Coast is brimming with stories just waiting to be told!