On Monday, April 18, 2022, the Space Coast Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Committee hosted a Growth and Development Update with the Cities of Melbourne and Palm Bay. These valuable updates were provided by Mayor Paul Alfrey with the City of Melbourne and Nancy Bunt, Director of Community and Economic Development with the City of Palm Bay. Over 75 Space Coast REALTOR® members learned about the current and upcoming developments in the cities and the growth that is on the horizon.
For the City of Palm Bay, Nancy Bunt reported that approximately 75% of the residents who live in Palm Bay commute out for work purposes. Their goal is to have a vibrant downtown area and more places to work so their residents can stay in Palm Bay and continue to contribute to their city’s growth. Currently, they have a lot of storage facilities and fast-food restaurants which provide for minimal jobs, their goal is to expand in manufacturing and health to have more job growth. The City of Palm Bay is working with a consultant on their Comprehensive Plan/Vision. Bunt also reported on Commercial Development, the sale of CRA properties, permit growth and more.
Mayor Paul Alfrey with the City of Melbourne provided an update on city projects, city developments, and the airport. The city is currently working on their annual city-wide street resurfacing project as well as ongoing septic to sewer projects. At the time of the report Margaritaville development was going in front of Planning and Zoning and is hopeful to have shovels in the ground in 45 days. The development is expected in take two years for construction with an estimated open date in 2024. Margaritaville will feature 8 stories, 270 boat slips, and 5 restaurants. Currently, the City of Melbourne and Representative Randy Fine are collaborating on the potential for a parking garage and boardwalk to Margaritaville. The City of Melbourne remains a huge advocate for affordable housing, they have made changes in the building code to help increase building of affordable housing within the Melbourne City limits. These changes include the house size minimum now only being 750 square feet and no garage required. They have set aside $1.5 million for development of affordable housing and there most recent project includes 60 units on University and Babcock for seniors and disabled residents. The new police department is under construction with the location being next to the Melbourne Airport. All the departments; dispatch, communications etc., will be housed in one state of the art facility. Mayor Alfrey reported on the growth of the Melbourne Airport, with Tui Airways now offering flights from Europe there is expected to be 150,000 visitors yearly for 2022 and the goal is to try to keep these visitors here in Melbourne/Brevard. There are 20,000 people who go to work at the Melbourne Airport facilities every single day. The Melbourne Airport is on target with their expansion which includes local eateries/cafes and a seamless TSA experience. In closing Mayor Alfrey said they will continue to maintain the cities green spaces and trees as well as continue to clean up the city. The City of Melbourne is a giant economic driving force, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the city.
We can’t thank the Cities of Melbourne and Palm Bay enough for the in-depth presentations on the growth and development and keeping our membership up to date.