The Brevard County Commission on Tuesday approved a grant that will enable work on a planned amphitheater on Merritt Island.
The $1.23 million grant, funded by the 5% tourism tax on hotel beds, will be used for expanded restroom and concession facilities at Veterans Memorial Park, where the amphitheater will be built starting in April. from 2025.
With this new grant applied for by the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center and the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency, the project will now cost an estimated $7.9 million, which includes another $1.27 million grant previously awarded to the project by the Tourism Development Council.
The Brevard County Commission voted 4-0 in favor of the project on Tuesday, with Commissioner John Tobia absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
“Inflationary challenges”
Larry Lallo, executive director of the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency, said the project has taken longer than expected due to “inflation issues.” Tuesday’s vote also extended the deadline for the project to next year. He said the grant to expand the park’s restrooms was “essential” to ensuring the project is a success, as thousands of new visitors will come to the park each year once the amphitheater is completed.
Melbourne City Councillor Tim Thomas, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who is an active advocate for the Veterans Memorial Centre, pleaded with the commission on Tuesday to approve the grant.
“I am happy for all of you because you all have the opportunity today to make a decision that will impact the residents of Brevard County for generations to come,” Thomas said.
Tuesday’s grant added money to a project that already received $4.4 million from the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency and $1 million from the state.
A study of the project’s economic impact estimates that the amphitheater would host 19 concerts annually, with an average attendance of 1,500 to 5,000, with tickets averaging $40 to $80 each. In addition, the site could host 15 weddings and other ceremonies, with an average attendance of 100 guests.
The total of 40,500 participants in these events would generate 11,550 overnight stays. They would spend a total of $6.91 million on tickets, accommodation, meals and other items, the study estimated.
Construction costs for the project were estimated at $2.3 million in 2020. However, as the project scope and construction costs increased, the total cost rose to $7.9 million.
Tyler Vazquez is the Brevard County and North Brevard Watchdog reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or [email protected]
