Commissioners Corner
I have been reflecting on my year as Cocoa Beach City Commissioner. The Fire Department occupied a new station and emergency command center, the city jump-started the Main Street program, and construction finally began on Minutemen Streetscape project after nearly a decade of planning. If 2015 was a year defined by overcoming inertia, 2016 should be a year defined by maintaining momentum.
The city staff are continuously improving the quality of city services for the citizens of Cocoa Beach. And, the City Commission is working on capital improvements to support that endeavor. We have initiated planning for a new Police Station, City Hall building, and Municipal Parking deck. The buildings could be built individually or as a single project.
The current City Hall and Police building was built in the 1960’s. While it has been remodeled over the years, there have been no significant renovations or upgrades to the facility. A walk through the Police headquarters conjures images of Dragnet, and not CSI. Imagine Sergeant Joe Friday investigating cyber-crimes without the cyber tools to do so. While the department has incorporated computers and electronics, future technology upgrades will stretch the aging building beyond its capability to adapt.
Similarly, the City has replaced desktop adding machines with computer spreadsheets. However, continued improvements will demand far more data management, internet services, and communications with the citizens of Cocoa Beach. A new building would also provide a safer and more secure environment for employees and visitors.
Finally, the City is planning a multi-purpose Municipal Parking deck for City employees by day, retail shoppers at night, and beach visitors on the weekends. We anticipate maximum utilization of the parking deck by the multiple users.
Thank you for your support. We are working to earn it every day.
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