The Broad Street curbless streetscape project emerged as a centerpiece of the meeting, with the agency aiming to convert the automobile-centric downtown into a vibrant pedestrian zone. The plan includes 12-foot sidewalks and infrastructure to support festivals and events. The project also seeks to enhance underutilized opportunity sites along Broad Street, encouraging residential and commercial growth while supporting a lively arts and entertainment scene.

However, the ambitious proposal has been met with concerns regarding its financial implications, particularly the potential $17 million cost of constructing a parking garage as part of the redevelopment efforts. Members expressed skepticism about prioritizing parking garages, given their high expense and the projected limitation of tax increment financing (TIF) revenues up to 2044. The debate underscored the challenge of balancing immediate parking needs with the long-term vision of a pedestrian-oriented downtown.

Parking remained a contentious issue throughout the meeting. Some members countered studies suggesting that parking is not a problem in downtown Titusville, pointing to peak hour struggles and limited parking spaces. There was a call for more strategic planning, with suggestions for a city hall parking garage to create a more inviting downtown atmosphere and stimulate development. Others argued for maximizing existing parking spaces and considering satellite parking solutions with shuttle services as cost-effective alternatives to new parking garages.

In the broader conversation about downtown revitalization, the importance of increasing housing availability was highlighted. The agency had recently approved a plan amendment allowing more flexible residential density calculations. Members acknowledged that a residential presence could invigorate downtown businesses, with a focus on creating an environment that attracts developers without direct CRA funding for housing projects.

Public comments brought additional perspectives, with residents emphasizing the need for better connectivity through sidewalks linking key downtown areas. There were calls for investments in infrastructure and streets over government buildings and parking garages. Some expressed skepticism over the CRA’s financial decisions, equating business grants to “welfare” and questioning the necessity of public funding for struggling businesses.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous decision to accept staff recommendations for the Broad Street project and explore financing options.