Fort Pierce Elects Chris Dzadovsky to District 2 Commission Seat Amidst Development Debates
The political landscape of the Treasure Coast continues to evolve as Fort Pierce, the bustling neighbor to the south of Vero Beach, prepares to welcome a new voice to its city commission. Following a tightly contested runoff election, Chris Dzadovsky has secured the District 2 seat, bringing a platform focused on “smart growth” to a region grappling with rapid expansion and development pressures.
Dzadovsky’s victory was razor-thin, defeating candidate Jamiebeth Galinis by a mere 31 votes. This close margin highlights the engaged and divided nature of the electorate regarding the future direction of the city. He is scheduled to be officially sworn in on February 2.
Balancing Growth with Small-Town Charm
The central theme of the election—and Dzadovsky’s upcoming term—is the management of the city’s rapid growth. Like many communities along the Treasure Coast, including Vero Beach, Fort Pierce is facing a surge in interest from developers and new residents. Long-time locals are expressing concern that the area is losing the quiet, historic character that has defined it for decades.
Genoveba Duran, a resident of 40 years, noted that the area has transformed significantly from the “little town” she once knew into a much larger city. However, she also acknowledged the necessity of growth to generate employment for the community.
Other residents have voiced specific concerns regarding infrastructure and traffic, particularly concerning Hutchinson Island. One resident, identified as Lizbeth, pointed to the proposed Causeway Cove development—which includes plans for a 17-story building—as a major source of anxiety. Such high-density projects raise questions about traffic congestion on island causeways, an issue that resonates with coastal residents throughout Indian River and St. Lucie counties.
The “Smart Growth” Approach
In response to these concerns, Commissioner-elect Dzadovsky has acknowledged that expansion is inevitable but argues it must be managed strategically. His “smart growth” philosophy aims to strike a difficult balance: maintaining the local atmosphere while expanding the commercial tax base to relieve the burden on residents.
“The future growth of Fort Pierce, it’s going to come. Maintain that small-town atmosphere, but we still need to bring the jobs, those investments, to increase the tax base from that commercial side, but create the jobs necessary for those folks in Fort Pierce.”
Dzadovsky’s strategy involves revitalizing the downtown area and streamlining the bureaucratic process for business owners. He emphasized the need to make the city welcoming to investment by reducing the “hassle” businesses face when trying to navigate the municipal system. By making these investments profitable and worthy, he hopes to secure a sustainable economic future for the city without sacrificing its identity.
As development projects on Hutchinson Island and downtown Fort Pierce move forward, the decisions made by the new commission will likely have ripple effects throughout the wider Treasure Coast region, influencing real estate trends and traffic patterns for years to come.
