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Titusville CRA staff recommends community-led Main Street effort; board agrees to host informational meeting
Summary
CRA staff recommended the Community Redevelopment Agency not reestablish a Florida Main Street program as a CRA-led initiative and instead facilitate a community informational meeting; board members and public commenters said they support a grassroots approach and asked staff to invite the state coordinator to present.
The City of Titusville Community Redevelopment Agency heard staff analysis Tuesday that the CRA should not reestablish a Florida Main Street program as a CRA-led initiative and instead facilitate a community informational meeting for local business owners and stakeholders.
CRA planner Sue Williams told the board, “The recommended action, it's recommended that the CRA not reestablish the Main Street program as a CRA led initiative. Instead, staff would will and can facilitate an informational session with business owners and stakeholders to introduce the concept and the many benefits of the Main Street program.” Williams said she had spoken with Kathleen Beck, the Florida Main Street state coordinator, who would be willing to present to a community meeting with a couple months' notice.
The recommendation grew from legal and operational concerns staff reported after attending the Palms Main Street conference. Williams said a city- or CRA-led Main Street could create additional Sunshine Law constraints and that most successful Main Street efforts begin as grassroots, volunteer-driven organizations that later partner with CRAs or cities.
Why it matters: Main Street designation brings access to technical assistance and some grant programs, but it also imposes quarterly reporting and organizational requirements. Board members and public commenters framed the question as whether Titusville's downtown businesses and community groups would supply the volunteer leadership and operating resources the designation requires.
Several board members said they preferred the grassroots approach recommended by staff. Member Nelson said he agreed that a community-led group with CRA support would avoid some spending and Sunshine Law limits. Vice Chair Cole said, “It really seems that that would be advantageous for us to have that individual come,” endorsing staff's suggestion to invite the state coordinator to speak to downtown merchants. Member Stockel said she wanted to see demonstrated interest from merchants before committing city resources.
Public commenters supported the concept. Toni Shiflow, a member of the Historic Preservation Board who spoke during petitions and requests, said she favored a Main Street program but agreed with staff that the CRA should facilitate business participation rather than lead the effort. Shiflow urged CRA staff to support downtown events and partnerships, and described the volunteer, preservation-oriented nature of the Main Street model.
Board next steps: The board signaled consensus to host an informational presentation by the Florida Main Street coordinator and to advertise a community meeting; no formal vote was required or taken on establishing a Main Street program at this meeting.
Additional context: Board members discussed funding models used by other cities and whether CRA seed money or shared staffing had been used historically in Titusville. Staff said some past positions were cost-shared with private or nonprofit partners but that a full-time Main Street coordinator typically requires dedicated funding if the program becomes city-supported.
