Rio, Fla. – On Thursday, developers, local officials and community members gathered to break ground on the long‑awaited Rio Marine Village project, a 16‑acre mixed‑use development slated for the St. Lucie River waterfront.

Project details and timeline

The project, approved by St. Lucie County in 2025, will feature eight multifamily buildings, a townhome building, a restaurant, a marina clubhouse and publicly accessible beach and river walkways. Construction is expected to take about two years, with developers already having completed construction documents and secured the necessary permits.

Community impact

Developer Charles Modica emphasized that the effort is about more than new housing. “It makes me proud to be part of a community that was developed in 1893 and we’re revitalizing now in 2026,” he said. Modica added that the project will give residents greater access to the waterfront, noting, “It’s about time we’ve come in and reinvigorate the area and make it accessible for all of the residents to go down to the water and enjoy it.”

JoLynne Jensen of the Rio Civic Club highlighted the public‑access component, stressing that the development will not be a gated enclave. “Not a gated community, but an actual space that opens up this view to the entire community. You’ll be able to walk down Dixie Highway and see the river. You’ll be able to ride your bike through the development,” she said.

History of the site

The riverfront property has sat vacant since 2004, when Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne devastated the original hotel, restaurant and marina that once occupied the site. For more than twenty years the land remained empty, a lingering reminder of the storms’ destruction.

Local optimism

Jensen called the project “Rio’s Renaissance,” describing it as a new chapter for the community after years of waiting. The development promises not only new housing options but also a public space that reconnects residents with the river, aligning with broader efforts to restore Florida’s waterfronts after natural disasters.

Looking ahead

As construction gets underway, local leaders and residents alike are watching the project’s progress, hopeful that it will spur further investment and revitalization in the area. The Rio Marine Village is set to become a cornerstone of the community, blending modern living with open, shared access to the St. Lucie River.

Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.