Melbourne Downtown CRA

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The Melbourne Downtown Community Redevelopment Area was established by the City of Melbourne on August 10, 1982, expanded in 2006, and has successfully assisted in the continuing revitalization of Historic Downtown Melbourne.

The public purpose of this CRA is to eliminate slum and blight conditions within its boundaries.

Redevelopment began after downtown businesses faltered following the development of suburban-style shopping centers along New Haven Avenue and Babcock Street. A tax increment financing (TIF) plan was approved by the City Council to capture both city and county taxes on property values that exceeded the 1982 base level.

As a result of the redevelopment district, streets and sidewalks have been improved as part of an ongoing streetscape project, benches, lighting and garbage cans were added, a parking garage has been constructed, several surface parking lots have been acquired or leased, economic incentive programs have been created, and Riverview Park has been acquired from Brevard County.

The Melbourne Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency Board is composed of City Council members, who make decisions on which programs and projects to fund, based on the adopted CRA plan. To review projects and programs and make recommendations, the Redevelopment Agency Board has appointed members to the Melbourne Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Committee.

Public Meetings

The Melbourne City Council serves as the Community Redevelopment Agency for all three Community Redevelopment Agencies; therefore, the meeting schedule for the Community Redevelopment Agencies mirrors the City Council meeting schedule. Business pertaining to the Community Redevelopment Agencies may not appear on every City Council agenda.

Schedule of CRA public meetings.

Current Projects

Current priorities for CRA expenditures include the improvement of Riverview Park based on an adopted master plan, design and construction of a pedestrian bridge across Crane Creek, and the design and construction of streetscape improvements along U.S. 1 between Crane Creek and University Boulevard. Projects, programs and goals are comprehensively outlines within the CRA Annual Report in the resource link below.

Economic Incentive Programs & Grants

The Melbourne Downtown CRA is pleased to offer economic incentive programs and grants that are available to eligible properties within the limits of the CRA.

Melbourne Main Street

The CRA provides an annual grant to help support Melbourne Main Street, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhance our community identity and heritage, foster a center of activity and ensure economic stability for the heart of Melbourne through concentrated efforts of design, promotion, organization and economic revitalization.

Historic and Architectural Review Board

Exterior changes to commercial buildings and signage in the CRA require prior approval from the Historic & Architectural Review Board, which is appointed by City Council. More information, including adopted design guidelines and an application can be found on the Historic and Architectural Review Board page.

Outdoor Seating, Display and A-Frames

Businesses located in the Melbourne Downtown CRA may be permitted outdoor display and seating if they meet eligibility requirements. For more information, please contact the Community Development Department at 321-608-7500.

Downtown Melbourne CRA Redevelopment Plan

Originally approved in 1982 and rewritten in November 2005, this document set forth the projects and programs the CRA could focus their financing efforts on.