The City of Titusville Community Redevelopment Agency on July 8 approved a package of improvements to Space View Park that includes monument restoration, solar walkway lighting, landscaping and irrigation, directing staff to begin procurement and return with a budget amendment if needed.

CRA planner Sue Williams told the board the agency originally presented two sequencing options — prioritize lighting now for safety or prioritize landscaping — and that staff and three departments recommended a lighting-first approach. “Safety is the reason that…code enforcement, public works, and CRA is recommending option 1,” Williams said. After board discussion and public comment, the board voted to fund the full scope (referred to in the meeting as option 3).

The vote followed questions about maintenance and funding. Williams said the project will go to procurement (about 90 days) and that ordering and installation would take roughly six months. The board was told the work would be paid from CRA funds carried over from fiscal year 2024; completing the entire scope at once would require an additional transfer of roughly $27,000, and irrigation was identified as a recurring operations cost of $1,200 annually. Staff described the total cost for the bundled scope as about $125,000.

Board members and residents differed on sequencing. Member Stockel said she favored completing lighting first because it is a safety priority and landscaping could follow in the next budget cycle. Resident Lisa Mosher, who lives on Indian River Avenue, urged completing the landscaping and irrigation now so the park would appear finished and not risk future budget reprioritization: “I just think that it would be good for the city, for the residents to see that you're doing a complete project and not, okay, we did the lights and we did this, but the landscaping still looks…,” Mosher said. Tony Schiflow of the Historic Norwood House and a member of the Historic Preservation Board also urged a landscaping-first approach to preserve the site’s curb appeal and historical context.

Board members pressed Parks and Recreation maintenance responsibilities. The CRA was told Brevard County maintains the park under an interlocal agreement funded by MSTU dollars, and routine maintenance (mowing, trash pickup) is the county’s duty; the CRA retains responsibility for structural replacements and capital improvements. The board discussed accountability measures, including contacting the county manager and, if necessary, withdrawing from the agreement if maintenance commitments are not met.

Member Clayton moved to approve the full project package (the board’s option 3), with procurement to proceed and any necessary budget amendment to be presented at a subsequent meeting; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously on a voice vote. The board directed staff to return with the budget amendment and noted that procurement timelines mean the work may occur during the next fiscal year.

The CRA’s executive director noted that this was the only action item on a light agenda and that staff would report back on implementation timelines and next steps. The board’s approval allows staff to prepare an RFP and contract documents so work can begin once procurement and any budget adjustments are finalized.