COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Smith points to the recent renovations
56
on Jensen Beach Boulevard
of the Marques Key at Sugar Hill,
Seacoast National Bank and West
Court Plaza ― all within sight of
each other. “People take pride in
their buildings. We are seeing it all
over town. The risk they are taking
is good for the community. It’s good
for jobs and quality of life all the way
around. Thankfully, we have come
out of an awful period.”
Everyone agrees that the opening
of Jensen Beach High School has
brought the community together.
While the DeBartolo Corp. donated
land north of the mall as part of its
DRI, Smith says he gave $1 million
of his district discretionary funds to
sway the school board. “It was going
to be a middle school. Everyone
wanted our own high school,” he
says. “The high school completed the
community. It added character and
rounded us out. Now we have all
the assets.”
Smith sees three redevelopment
projects as exciting for the future of
Jensen Beach: Ocean Breeze Park,
Pitchford’s Landing and the old Holiday
Inn on Hutchinson Island, which >>
Looking west, Ocean Breeze Park was purchased in 2013 by Carefree RV Resorts, which has renovations
underway. The older trailers were moved to the north end of the park, while the center is being
redeveloped for recreation and amenities. The old town hall building on Indian River Drive with the
parking lot to the left was razed shortly after this photo was taken. Behind the Environmental Studies
Center, middle left, are pads that will be redeveloped to attract high-end RV visitors.
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