The City of Titusville Community Redevelopment Agency on July 8 voted unanimously to approve a bundled renovation of Space View Park’s Gemini handprint monuments that includes repairs to the monuments, new solar lighting and landscaping, with an estimated total cost of $125,000 and a follow-up budget amendment to cover remaining scope.

The decision matters because Space View Park is a downtown landmark that draws visitors for its astronaut handprints and monuments; board members and residents raised safety, maintenance and historic-preservation concerns during debate and public comment.

Staff and board members described three scope options: a lighting-first plan, a landscaping-first plan and a bundled full-scope option. Sue Williams, CRE planner, said the primary safety concern that led staff to recommend the larger lighting option was spacing between solar fixtures: “On the space view pier, the actual new walkway pier, those those solar lights, which is what we're looking at here, are 24 feet apart. Okay? If we use 8, the 8 number, which means there'd only be 4 down the walkway, they would be 40 feet apart. So at 12, they were 26 feet apart. So that's safety is the reason that 3, departments, code enforcement, public works, and CRA is recommending option 1, and I'm here to answer any questions.”

Several board members and members of the public pushed for stronger landscaping and curb appeal. Member Moscoso, CRA member, said she heard neighborhood support for prioritizing plantings: “I actually put this out on my Facebook, and I maybe had 10 responses, and they were all for option 2.” Resident Lisa Mosher, of 525 Indian River Avenue, told the board she preferred finishing landscaping first to avoid a half-complete look: “My fear is you put the lights in, you fix the monuments, the landscaping that's gonna go on next year budget, budget comes up, and that gets, lined out out for some reason.” Tony Shevillo, speaking as a member of the Historic Norwood House, also said he favored landscaping for long-term appearance and maintenance.

Board members clarified maintenance roles and funding. Williams said landscaping and irrigation were requested by the county but that the city would pay for installation; ongoing maintenance is the county’s responsibility under an interlocal agreement. The executive director noted the city pays the county with MSTU dollars for park upkeep. Parks Director Jeff Davis was cited by members as responsive when maintenance issues are reported.

On funding and timing, staff said the improvements would use CRA funds carried from fiscal year 2024. Williams estimated the procurement process would take about 90 days and that, including ordering, the work could take roughly six months. Board discussion identified about $27,000 in additional funds needed to complete the full package now and a recurring irrigation operations cost of $1,200 per year. Staff said the complete bundle would total approximately $125,000.

Member Nelson, CRA member, moved to proceed with the full project (the board’s “option 3”), with staff to return with any required budget amendment; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The board directed staff to proceed with procurement and to bring the necessary budget amendment back for formal approval.

The executive director said the CRA will continue to monitor maintenance with Brevard County, and the board heard public encouragement to preserve the park’s historic features and improve curb appeal as the work proceeds.