Titusville CRA presents FY2024 annual report highlighting infrastructure, downtown investments

The Titusville Community Redevelopment Agency on April 8 approved its fiscal year 2024 annual report and financial audit after a presentation that summarized tax-increment financing (TIF) history, capital projects and grant-funded downtown investments.

The report, required by state statute 163.371, shows TIF receipts peaking in 2017–18 following construction of the Indiana Harbor condos, a drop during the 2008–09 recession and a recovery beginning about 2019. "The annual report along with the financial audit is truly the best report for you to have at your fingertips," presenter Sue Williams said, noting the document details completed and ongoing capital and noncapital projects.

Nut graf: The report documents infrastructure work and downtown revitalization the CRA supported in FY2024, including sewer and stormwater upgrades, mixed-use rehabilitation, pedestrian connections, and public‑space amenities; board members and staff emphasized the role of grant funding and interagency cooperation in stretching CRA dollars.

Among the projects Williams highlighted was a mixed‑use rehabilitation of two historic downtown buildings that added 20 apartments. The CRA contributed $140,000 to that project; the North Brevard Economic Development Zone provided $450,000. Williams said the total downtown investment from that project exceeded $6,000,000 and that reimbursements are pending final business tax receipts.

Infrastructure work called out in the report included gravity sewer main and manhole rehabilitation; Williams said CRA funds of $137,018 contributed to a larger project that replaced roughly 8,000 feet of sewer line and increased capacity. A larger Indian River force main project also received a small CRA contribution, Williams said; she reported the total force main project cost as $8,900,000.

The CRA is funding low‑impact development (LID) pilot work on Indian River Boulevard to convert five parking spaces to a bioswale aimed at reducing flood risk and improving stormwater percolation. Williams said the board approved a budget adjustment to reallocate an estimated $130,000 originally set for tree boxes to that bioswale project after other grant funds became available to cover tree‑box costs.

Williams described the tree boxes as more than simple planters: "This actually has mulch and layers underneath it and BAM material which will filter the water and clean it and is piped to our storm drains for overflow purposes," a public‑works representative added, explaining the higher per‑unit cost compared with a basic tree box.

Other FY2024 items included downtown wayfinding kiosks and banners, two Flock Safety cameras placed in parks after a police/conduct heat‑mapping exercise, sidewalk improvements totaling $66,005.41, and a pedestrian connection that links downtown parks to the pedestrian pier. Williams said community policing efforts tied to CRA funding have coincided with a decrease in burglaries since 2019; she noted the CRA is proposing modest funding in FY2026 to support two police officers for traffic‑stop/community relations patrols.

Board members praised staff and the report. Member Ball said, "I appreciate the summary that highlights the investments that we've made in infrastructure," and Member Muscoso said downtown "looks amazing" and thanked staff for initiating cleanup coordination with the county.

Votes at a glance: The board approved three procedural items by voice vote during the meeting. The board approved minutes for Feb. 11 and March 11, 2025, and unanimously approved the FY2024 annual report with the financial audit. The transcript records the approvals by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were given.

Ending: Williams said the full report and audit are in the meeting packet for review; she and staff offered to answer questions and to provide additional documentation on specific projects and reimbursements.