Fort Pierce just bought itself another 90 days to deal with nearly $16,000 in state fines tied to the docks at Little Jim Bait & Tackle. The extension keeps the waterfront dispute alive while the city weighs its next move on the enforcement case and the landmark property’s uncertain future.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection extended Fort Pierce’s deadline to Sept. 15, according to WPTV. Emails obtained by the station show city commissioners have not formally accepted or rejected the proposed consent order, while staff members continue negotiating with the state over the penalties.
Little Jim’s Lease Drama Is Still Hanging Over The Docks
The deadline change lands as Fort Pierce continues sorting out who should operate the longtime waterfront business. In a city notice, officials said five proposals for a new Little Jim’s tenant failed to meet the required criteria, leaving the existing operator on a month-to-month arrangement while the city considered its next steps.
The state case centers on allegations that Fort Pierce operated docks on state-owned submerged land without the required authorization. WPTV reported that Commissioner Michael Broderick acknowledged an extension of the docks appears to have occurred, but said it remains unclear whether the city or Little Jim’s tenant was responsible. Broderick has also said the city ultimately bears responsibility because it owns the real estate.
The Waterfront Fight Has Expanded Beyond The Consent Order
The proposed state agreement is only one piece of the legal pressure surrounding Little Jim’s. WFLX reported that commissioners voted unanimously in July to reject a settlement offer from resident Kevin Keene, who alleged years of waterfront mismanagement. Under that proposal, Keene would have dropped his lawsuit if the city paused new Little Jim’s plans until the permit issues were resolved and allowed a public vote on future waterfront land decisions.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection says its Southeast District handles permits and authorizations for commercial docks, marinas and activities involving sovereign submerged lands. That makes Sept. 15 a negotiation and decision deadline—not a final resolution of the dock dispute, the fines or Little Jim’s long-running lease uncertainty.
