For residents across the Treasure Coast, the preservation of our historic waterfronts is a topic that consistently sparks passionate debate. In a recent development that highlights the complexities of local real estate and property management, Fort Pierce city commissioners have unanimously voted to reject a settlement offer regarding the beloved local landmark, Little Jim Bait & Tackle.
The lawsuit, initiated by plaintiff Kevin Keene, alleges a prolonged period of waterfront mismanagement by the city. Following the commissioners’ unanimous vote, Keene confirmed his intention to continue pursuing litigation, while the city has fired back with a motion to dismiss his amended complaint.
The Proposed Settlement and the FDEP Controversy
The rejected settlement would have required the city to pause all new plans for the Little Jim Bait & Tackle property until outstanding permitting issues with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) were fully resolved. Additionally, it called for a public vote on future waterfront land decisions—a demand the city ultimately found unfeasible.
At the center of the state’s involvement is an FDEP claim that the city has been operating docks on state-owned submerged land without the necessary permits since 2021. As a result, the state agency issued a fine of nearly $16,000, which was due in mid-July. City Commissioner Michael Broderick confirmed that the unpermitted dock extensions did occur, though the city is currently investigating who authorized the unauthorized construction.
“My motivation is only to protect the publicly owned waterfront property and to make sure that major decisions are not being made without enough transparency, caution, and public awareness. This was never about money or personal gain for me.” – Plaintiff Kevin Keene
A Broader Pattern of Waterfront Mismanagement?
The uncertainty surrounding Little Jim Bait & Tackle began last year when the restaurant’s lease expired, prompting the city to solicit bids for the property. Fears that the historic spot of nearly 80 years would be replaced by a chain restaurant or big-box retailer led to massive community outcry. In response, the city placed the current operators on a month-to-month lease. However, despite receiving five formal proposals to take over the space, the city rejected all of them, claiming none met their criteria.
Keene’s lawsuit points to this chaotic bidding process as evidence of a much larger issue regarding how the city handles valuable Treasure Coast real estate. The litigation highlights two other controversial municipal projects as evidence of defective administration:
- Fisherman’s Wharf: State records indicate the city promised land to a developer that it did not actually own, resulting in an ongoing multi-million dollar lawsuit against the city.
- King’s Landing: A developer has threatened legal action after claiming the city promised buildable property that was later discovered to contain 1,500 tons of old power plant concrete.
The City’s Path Forward
Commissioner Broderick did not mince words regarding the current state of the city’s property portfolio, acknowledging that city-owned real estate leased to tenants has suffered from a lack of proper management. To remedy this, Fort Pierce plans to hire a dedicated real estate manager to oversee future development decisions and ensure compliance.
As for the plaintiff’s request to allow taxpayers to vote on major waterfront decisions, Broderick pushed back, citing the financial burden such a policy would place on Treasure Coast taxpayers. Holding special elections for individual property decisions could cost between $75,000 and $100,000 each time, an expense he deemed highly impractical.
As this legal battle moves forward without a settlement, Treasure Coast residents and local real estate enthusiasts will be watching closely. The outcome of the Little Jim Bait & Tackle dispute will likely set a significant precedent for how historic properties and public waterfronts are managed, protected, and leased in our region for years to come.
