In this episode of The Current by TreasureCoast.com, we sat down with Mayor Linda Hudson of Fort Pierce to explore the major shifts underway in the city. The conversation offered a bold yet humble look into Fort Pierce’s growth, challenges, and future.
Mayor Hudson’s story begins in Fort Pierce. A native product of St. Lucie County schools, she moved away for secondary education and ultimately returned. What began as volunteer work eventually led to a mayoral run in 2012. After winning by just 61 votes, she recently started serving her fourth term.
One of the biggest shifts she’s seen? The long-awaited resurgence of Fort Pierce as a Treasure Coast hub.
“Fort Pierce has always had potential,” Hudson said, “but now we’re on the brink of actually fulfilling it.”
She noted that the recession of 2009 and 2010 slowed progress, but recent developments—both large-scale and grassroots—have pushed the city forward.
A key catalyst was investment in infrastructure, especially through the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency (FPRA). Hudson explained that projects like revitalizing the port area, upgrading A1A, and improving Jetty Park have sparked meaningful change.
“It’s not sexy,” she laughed, “but infrastructure made the port transformation possible.”
Hudson pointed out that although Fort Pierce’s budget remains tight—about $63 million—the city does more with less. But financial responsibility isn’t enough. The city needs a broader tax base, which means attracting business and balancing development with preservation.
An example is King’s Landing. After dealing with an underperforming developer, the city sealed a new deal with Live Oak, bringing an Autograph Collection Marriott Hotel, retail space, condos, and a public parking garage to Downtown Fort Pierce. The project had been “on life support,” said Hudson, but it’s officially back on track.
Location of King’s Landing in Fort Pierce.
Hudson also addressed the wastewater treatment plant on Hutchinson Island. The aging facility, originally built after World War II, is finally being moved off the island. The new location on Energy Lane is state-of-the-art, and though the full transition will take years, the move was expressed as a win for the environment and the Island’s future.
What will become of the old plant’s site? A community-driven charrette process yielded ideas like a Key West-style village, new boat ramps, an amphitheater, and public walking access to the water. The plan includes long-desired amenities while protecting the area’s character.
On the topic of character, Hudson acknowledged that not everyone wants change. Some residents worry about Fort Pierce becoming the next built-up South Florida city.
“People choose Fort Pierce for its charm,” she said. “Even new residents come in and say, ‘Don’t change it.’”
Balancing growth with identity will be one of the city’s biggest challenges in the next 5–10 years, especially when it comes to building height limits on the island.
She addressed the paid parking issue head-on. She mentioned that three beach parks are being considered for paid parking, not all of them, and only as a last resort.
“We don’t have the budget to keep up with the maintenance those parks need,” she said, “especially with so many non-residents using them.” Legal restrictions also prevent the city from charging only out-of-towners.
Mayor Hudson touched on community events like the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market, which she helps manage, and praised the Sunrise Theatre as a vital economic engine downtown. She highlighted newer spots like the Bluebird Bistro & Wine Bar and long-standing breweries like Sailfish Brewing and Pierced Cider as signs of an evolving downtown.
Bluebird Bakery, Bistro & Wine Bar, located in Fort Pierce’s Peacock Arts District, is owned by local figures Darryl and Gina Bey. Darryl, who brought his Bluebird Productions entertainment company from Ohio and Alabama to Florida, has been deeply involved in the Fort Pierce community for over 25 years, co-founding the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society.
His wife, Gina, has run Gina’s Bake Shop for nearly three decades, gaining a loyal following at the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market. Together, they’ve created a space that blends their passion for local culture, food, live entertainment, and community.
Looking west, Hudson spoke about developments forming along Okeechobee Road, full of logistics hubs, hotels, and new housing. The area, served by major roadways and rail, is described as ideal for future growth. With support from FEMA and the Economic Development Council, the city is planning strategically to maximize tax value without overloading residents.
Finally, Hudson spotlighted a milestone: the long-awaited Highwaymen Museum, scheduled to open in June. The museum will honor the legacy of 26 African American landscape painters from Fort Pierce, whose work broke barriers and built careers during segregation.
From infrastructure upgrades to cultural preservation, Mayor Hudson made one thing clear: Fort Pierce is rising, and it’s doing so with intention.
