City of Titusville STRATEGIC PLANNING Community Workshop Parrish Medical Center January 24, 2009 Facilitated by Marilyn E. Crotty & Teresa Jacobs The John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida
INTRODUCTION The Titusville City Council commissioned the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida (IOG) to conduct a Strategic Planning Community Workshop to provide guidance to the Council in preparing its FY 09-10 budget. The workshop was held on Saturday, January 24, 2009 and was facilitated by Ms. Marilyn Crotty and Ms. Teresa Jacobs. Mayor Tulley and all members of the City Council attended the workshop in an observatory capacity. The workshop was well attended, with approximately 50 members of the public representing a broad cross section of the community. Several exercises were used to solicit input and discussion from the community participants about what they: treasure most about Titusville, would like Titusville to look and feel like in 2020 and, consider to be the most pressing needs and the greatest opportunities for Titusville. This report is a summary of the discussions and conclusions of the workshop. COMMUNITY TREASURES Initially, the participants were asked to list six things, physical or intangible, that they most treasure about Titusville, those things that must be protected and preserved. Often participants used different terms to describe the same or similar treasures. The following is a list of the general categories of treasures and a tabulation of the number of participants that listed each category. Number of Participants TREASURES 42 Indian River Lagoon- Waterfront access- View 39 Parks-Chain of Lakes- Space View Park- Monuments to Space- Youth activities- Diversity of recreational opportunities 33 Open space-green space-natural land- conservation- wildlife refuge 32 Small town atmosphere- Friendliness 28 Great schools- Brevard Community College 20 All the museums- Cultural amenities- Historical property- Promote local history 19 Outstanding health care- Parrish Medical Center 17 Small business-private business
11 Airports-Aviation 9 Active economic development program 9 Family friendly community- Residents- Citizens 8 Non-congested roads-smooth traveling- transportation-max Brewer Bridge 7 Downtown area- Farmer s Market 6 City of Titusville Social Services Providers Network- Brevard Alzheimer s 6 Clean environment 6 Community safety- Safe place to live 5 Eco-tourism 5 Senior citizens 4 Enchanter Forest 4 Titusville Art League 4 Service from City of Titusville 4 City Marina 4 Growing community 3 Positive attitude- Citizen community involvement 3 Competent elected officials, boards and committees 3 Faith based community-religion 3 Partnerships between local and community groups 2 Preserve Titusville as county seat 2 Preservation of drinking water 2 Location 1 Welcomes visitors and tourism 1 More town functions- Titus-nites-Draw people into town 1 Recycling Program 1 Plentiful drinking water 1 SPCA 1 Elimination of eyesores 1 Lack of adult entertainment 1 City pride 1 Chamber of Commerce 1 Property values 1 Leadership initiatives by PMC 1 Arts and artistic community 1 NW corner of I-95 and Garden St. as a park- Water preservation
TITUSVILLE 2020 Community participants were invited to imagine that it was the year 2020 and all their hopes, dreams and desires for Titusville had come true. They were asked to describe what Titusville would look like and feel like, what it would be like to live, work, and raise a family here. Participants worked in small groups and documented their vision of Titusville in 2020. Many of the physical and intangible attributes were repeated over and over again and are grouped below under broad themes: Safety Storm hardened community No crime- safe community Space Preserve our historical role in the space program Space Center thriving Vibrant space program and thriving businesses Transportation Major corridors- multi-modal-i.e. bicycle, walking Public transportation- many options Bike friendly sidewalks/trails, using segways instead of cars Efficient/safe public transportation Public transportation Safe, efficient, multi-modal system Waterfront Waterfront- for our families, museums, shops, open space, monuments, trails Summary Statements A clean, pedestrian friendly community that is small in scale or stature that is a hub for cultural, environmental and educational activities, where businesses flourish and are supported by healthy, vibrant families. A place where we respect our unique assets and orient our community to best reflect these treasures.
Simple community with a faith based core and a great outdoors. The river has recovered from the short-sightedness of the past. The marina has partnered with the downtown area and is now the gem of our community. River access is simple and kind. We have dedicated areas for no-motorzone sanctuaries. Redevelopment has been controlled and well planned with family ideas being the center of Titusville s theme. The space port is thriving and that has grown our community. Well paying jobs have filled our street with responsible citizens that are happy to live in a beautiful location that honors our past and nourishes our future. IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES Community participants were asked to identify the needs and opportunities facing Titusville, and then to prioritize the top three needs and opportunities. Needs are those things not now in place, that would improve the business environment or general quality of life in Titusville. Opportunities are those conditions or features that have potential to contribute to a better quality of life or business environment if used wisely. Participants worked in small groups and documented their top three needs and opportunities. The following is a list of those priority needs and opportunities group by general theme. NEEDS Revitalization / Community Design & Aesthetics Revitalization of existing buildings Clean up blighted areas Developer redevelopment incentives Code enforcement Incentives to raze buildings Architectural standards Sense of place Miracle City connected to the river- residential and offices go verticalcommunity open space, retail shops out into the river Economy Extend runway TICO before we lose EELS Big community venue to serve our residents and attract the surrounding communities to have an experience and spend money- conference center or concert hall, museums, etc.
Local business around Merchant association for local business Activities Networking Problem solving Opportunities Make it easier to attract new business and put business in place Regional coordination of economic development Conference center to bring more festivals Establish a development program to focus or revitalize current businesses and residences Community branding strategies Titusville- The Indian River City Better marketing of the city s attractions Better cooperation with KSC to have Titusville recognized as the gateway to the visitor s center Have a slogan that explains why TUL is a destination. Education School for hands on polytech Environment & Water Ensure new residents have affordable water before development Develop, preserve and enhance our potable water supply by purchasing recharge areas on NW corner, I95, Garden Street Government Streamlining permitting process Cohesiveness of land use and planning Brevard County restrictions lessened COT/BREVARD COUNTY cooperation Industrial park Street maintenance Commercial and industrial growth vs. residential Miscellaneous These things are really necessary: Public relations person Partnerships with community for implementation of identified community needs and gaps for a strategic and coordinated delivery of services (to include faithbased businesses and human service entities) Intracoastal waterway- explore and develop yachting and commercial traffic and infrastructure opportunities
Yes we can Educate and inform new residents of area resources Create an atmosphere conducive to supporting the arts, small business, eateries, historic preservation, space parks and museum in historic downtown Quality of Life Better youth activities and marketing of them Build bike or walking trails Develop trail system throughout city to provide ecotourism, recreation and alternative, green transportation opportunities that includes open riverfront access and connects to other eco-cultural points of interest. Transportation Slow down traffic on US1 Re-route US1 Improved transportation Parking garage downtown with adequate public transportation Infrastructure improvements-409 and I95 interchange- needs all 4 ramps Viable transportation access- bus stop shelters OPPORTUNITIES Revitalization / Community Design & Aesthetics Architectural identity First impression, lasting impression-city entrance signs Sense of place Activate historic commission- now in code Holistic redevelopment model Economy Airport improvements No more residential encroachment at airport Airport expansion Expand on use of airport Conference center/hotel Encourage building of downtown conference center Hospital/medical industry Expand on our hospital successes Industrial spaces
Marketing Market the opportunities- nature, retirement location, recreation, senior wellness, small town- close to anything! Marketing to a variety of industry to relocate/establish here Marketing is the bottom line Advertise our present and future strengths We need to define our identity Identity has to be tangible Better cooperation with KSC to have Titusville recognized as the gateway to the visitor s center ID Economic (industry) focus for our community-choose a market(s)-example- Ft. Lauderdale s boating, SEDC used to implement specific market(s) goals Example- target a major green industry We have space to grow! Eco-Tourism The Birding Festival Environmental assets that promote/attract ecotourism Our offerings-ecotourism Sportsman s paradise! Build eco-tourism center Expand eco-tourism Education Expanding educational opportunities Environment & Water Focus on eco-living, green development for industrial park including solar Opportunity to address water needs now before critical Secure land for open space, public lands and acquire recharge Government Building reg/land development more agreeable to adapt current codes to existing structures and infrastructure Expand on our Brevard County Commission successes Coordinated development with unincorporated areas Miscellaneous
Where we came from Who we are Where we are going Think outside the box It all works together Take advantage of the knowledge (people) in Titusville Human, real estate, public/private partnerships, Community needs assessment by North Brevard Coalition of Human Servicescontinued/maintained every 3-5 years and used to help develop city s comprehensive plan Address current needs assessments top issues and greatest gap in coordination with government, faith based, human/social services, business Work with what we have downtown-us1 Quality of Life Build and sell the quality of life in Titusville Hospital- healthier community Complete park projects Safety Continue to make Titusville safer Space Collect, preserve and showcase the history of the space industry in the public place Transportation FDOT/COT cooperation Improved transportation Interchange expansion- better access brings in more businesses