Florida surf park scrapped to potentially become data center, retail
Developers in Fort Pierce, Florida, have abandoned plans for the Koa Bay surf park due to funding and electrical line issues. The 200-acre site is now being considered for a data center and retail development, with a rezoning application already submitted.
Developers have abandoned plans for the previously approved Wave Garden Surf Park and residential community within Koloha Bay, located at the northwest corner of Interstate 95 and Midway Road in Fort Pierce, Florida. The 200-acre parcel, initially approved in 2020 for the surf park, faced significant hurdles including a lack of funding and existing electrical transmission lines crossing the proposed residential area.\n\nProject owner Chad Labonte confirmed to TCPalm that these challenges prompted a pivot in development strategy. Instead of the surf park, the property is now being eyed for a data center and commercial retail complex. A rezoning application for this new plan was submitted on June 17, 2026. Labonte highlighted that the site's previous limiting factors for a residential and surf community, particularly concerning electrical infrastructure, are now considered "enormous assets" making it ideal for a data center development.