Titusville CRA approves Trail Town amenities plan and allocates up to $40,000 for consultant

The City of Titusville Community Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously to approve a request to hire a consultant to develop a Trail Town amenities strategic plan and to allocate trail funds not to exceed $40,000 for the work.

Executive Director (name not specified) presented the item, saying the plan “will also consider connectivity to downtown businesses, parks, cultural sites, and existing trail segments” and described the goal of guiding future trail-related investments. The recommended action was to approve the request and allocate up to $40,000 for the consultant.

Board members and public commenters pressed staff to consider an immediate safety need on the two-block bike connection east of the railroad tracks where the Coast-to-Coast trail meets Main Street. Public commenter Tony Schifelow urged the CRA to have the consultant consider that segment even though it lies outside the CRA boundary, describing the crossing as “a dangerous connection” and asking that the study include solutions.

Member Nelson asked whether the bid could include a cost estimate to study the two-block segment; staff said work outside the CRA would likely require general-fund dollars but agreed to return with a scope and cost proposal. At one point the board discussed that the CRA ends at the railroad tracks and that any capital work beyond that boundary would likely be a recommendation to city council.

The motion to approve the Trail Town amenities strategic plan and the allocation not to exceed $40,000 was moved by Member Nelson, seconded, and carried unanimously.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with the consultant procurement and was asked to prepare an optional scope add-on and cost estimate for the two-block Main Street crossing so the council or general-fund decision-makers can consider whether to extend the study or future capital work beyond the CRA boundary.