Strong surf pounding the Palm Beach County coastline has damaged the historic Jupiter Civic Center at Carlin Park, forcing the nearly 100-year-old building to close while crews work to protect it. The front of the building is blocked off with caution tape.
Behind the Civic Center, much of the beach has washed away. Broken branches, eroded sand and damaged steps are now exposed along the shoreline. A video shared with WPTV by beachgoer Kevin Courtney shows sand eroded from beneath the deck and sections of concrete from the building collapsed.
Strong tides and gale-force winds caused the damage. County crews have brought in an emergency contractor, who is placing piles of sand along the beach to reinforce the shoreline.
Longtime visitors say the building holds decades of memories. Jacqueline Trochinsky said many of her friends had been married there or held baby showers in it. A Jupiter resident named Bill said he supports the spending on beach work, even though the area needs repeated renourishment.
It is not yet known how extensive the damage is or when the Civic Center might reopen.
