News
Articles that address active City Council Projects
Vero Beach Downtown Referendum Relating to Density
The approved Downtown Master Plan recommends a density increase in the "Central Core" to facilitate the inclusion of smaller residential units to be occupied by returning college graduates and local school teachers, law enforcement officers and fire-fighters. The density increase in this limited area, centered on 14th Avenue, must be approved by voting YES on the "Density" Referendum that is on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
TCPalm Editorial Board Recommendation 2024 Vero Beach City Council
The TCPalm Editorial Board recommendations are presented in this article along with video's of the candidates interview sessions. The first interview includes incumbent Linda Moore along with Ken Daige and Aaron Vos with the second interview containing incumbent John Carroll and Brian Heady.
Three Jeers for Clown Show on Three Corners Vero Beach Development June 2024
When it mattered most in the long Three Corners process – when we needed the five members of the Vero Beach City Council to be at their absolute best – they gave us the disappointing and embarrassing clown show many local skeptics had predicted.
Discussion of Initial Developer Submittals in Response to Three Corners RFP March 2024
Three Corners RFP Details Released Outlining Competing Ideas from Four Developers plans for the Waterfront Project in Vero Beach
Vero Beach Three Corners Selection Committee Results April 2024
Vero Beach Selection Comittee taps ClearPath, an Indiana firm, as the Frontrunner to Design and Build the Waterfront Three Corners Project.
Last to First - How the Lowest Ranked RFP Submittal Became the Selected Three Corners Developer
After more than 11 years writing about the three corners Vero Beach owns at 17thStreet and Indian River Boulevard, I thought I’d feel exhilarated by the city's developer selection.
Instead, perhaps like many of you, I wondered how a pitch ranked last by a selection committee April 26th narrowly received the council’s nod 32 days later.
Three Corners Developer Removed and New RFP Requestd
The twists and turns leading to Vero Beach's selection of a developer to execute and build a voter-approved concept plan for the three corners the city owns at 17thStreet and Indian River Boulevard were dramatic enough to make a good book.
Here are a few takeaways from the past two-plus months alone:
Living the four-way test
While I do not always agree with Councilman John Carroll, he showed his ethical mettle at a council selection meeting last week by ranking the most popular (at least based on speaker and council feedback) developer last on his scorecard.
Vero Beach City Council Disqualifies Selected Developer June 7 2024
Developer SuDa, Crec Capital, Madison Marquette — which was selected last week by the City Council — was disqualified Friday by a 3-1 City Council vote. Taylor Dingle was the lone dissenter, and Tracey Zudans recused herself.
SuDa was disqualified for having sent emails sent to the City Council, breaking rules of the bidding process, which prohibited developer communication with council members.
Initial Presentation of the Final Downtown Master Plan to Planning & Zoning Commission
The first draft of the master plan for downtown was unveiled to Vero Beach Planning & Zoning on April 18, 2024.
Coming two months after the downtown fact-finding week, the draft was presented before the Planning and Zoning Board by project manager Xavier Iglesias of DPZ CoDESIGN — the firm tasked with designing the plan founded by urban planner Andres Duany.
Downtown Master Plan Approved by Vero Beach City Council on May 14 2024
The ball is in the city's court, as urban planner Andres Duany Tuesday unveiled his final downtown master plan on May 14, 2024.
"I am now transitioning the plan to the city," Duany told the City Council. "This is a 90-page report which answers most questions."
DPZ CoDESIGN, Duany's firm, had been charged with developing the plan. The process began in February, with a week of fact-finding sessions. It was from those meetings that Duany developed his ideas for the future of downtown.
Vero Beach Downtown Referendum for November 5 2024 Election
The City Council of the City of Vero Beach passed the attached Ordinance outlining 2 Resolutions based upon the adopted Downtown Master Plan developed by DPZ CoDesign.
Analysis of Vero Beach Marina Expansion by TCPalm
Vero Beach should expand city marina despite Preservation Alliance opposition | Opinion
Ed Killer
The Vero Beach City Marina needs to be upgraded for myriad reasons. Will residents get to vote? And will they clear the way to get the job done?
Approval of Three Corners Project
Three Corners project moves toward Nov. 8 ballot after Vero Beach City Council OKs plan
Colleen Wixon
VERO BEACH — Plans to turn the three-cornered property by the Alma Lee Loy Bridge into a destination — with a hotel, restaurants, shopping and recreation — moved forward Tuesday.
The City Council approved a master conceptual plan for the 33-acre site at Indian River Boulevard and 17th Street. The action all but sends the plan to the Nov. 8 election. The council still must approve ballot language.
The city charter requires voter approval.
"We have a plan that's very feasible and workable, and it can be a wonderful asset to this community," said Mayor Robbie Brackett.
The council's 4-1 vote was met with applause and a standing ovation from some of those crammed into the council chambers.
A mix of commercial development on the north side and recreation and culture on the south, the project would create a destination the city needed, speakers said.
"This town needs this project. It's not just for locals," said Lori Strazzulla. "To have a site like this, we'll always have somewhere to go. Pass it. Let's move on."
