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MELBOURNE, Fla. — For nearly three decades, the sound of go-karts racing, arcade games buzzing, and families laughing filled the air along Babcock St. and Palm Bay High School. Now, that chapter has come to an end.
Andretti Thrill Park, a staple of the Space Coast community for nearly 28 years, has officially closed, with demolition expected to begin within weeks. In its place, a large-scale residential development is set to rise, marking a significant shift in both the physical and cultural landscape of Melbourne.
In an exclusive interview with The Space Coast Rocket, owner Eddie Hamann reflected on the decision to close the park.
“We’ve been here for 28 years. This was the first location,” Hamann said. “It’s bittersweet. This is where everything started.”
The Melbourne location was not just another entertainment venue. It was the original Andretti Thrill Park, the foundation of what would grow into a nationwide brand with more than a dozen locations.
Over its lifetime, the park served an estimated 19.5 million visitors, a staggering number nearly equal to the entire population of Florida passing through its gates.
“You know how many people tell me, ‘I met my wife here,’ or ‘I grew up coming here and now I bring my kids’?” Hamann said. “Those are the stories that warm my heart.”
Unlike many high-profile closures, Hamann emphasized there is no controversy behind the decision.
“There was no issue with the city, no issue with the county. Sales were still strong. We never lost money here,” he said. “It’s simply that the facility is 27 years old. It requires a lot of maintenance, and it was time to look at what the future holds.”
Instead, the closure reflects a broader reality across Florida.
“This community is growing fast,” Hamann said. “There’s a high demand for housing. That’s what this property is going to become.”
The 16.7-acre site will soon be redeveloped into a 300-plus unit apartment complex, aimed at addressing the region’s housing shortage.
While final pricing has not been announced, Hamann indicated the development will likely target a mix of residents, including students from Florida Institute of Technology and local workers.
“With how quickly Melbourne and Palm Bay are growing, housing is one of the biggest needs right now,” he said.
Construction is expected to begin shortly after demolition, which Hamann says could start within three to four weeks.
Hamann’s personal story is deeply intertwined with the park’s history.
“I came here from Colombia, washing dishes,” he said. “I met John Andretti in 1996, and that’s how this all started. Eventually I was able to run it, then buy it, and grow it.”
John Andretti, a member of the legendary Andretti racing family, passed away in 2020 after battling colon cancer. His vision helped launch the original park in Melbourne.
“Only in America,” Hamann said. “This is the American dream.”
Beyond entertainment, Andretti Thrill Park played a major role in supporting the local community.
“We were good to Brevard County, and Brevard County was good to us,” Hamann said.
The company continues to honor John Andretti’s legacy through charitable efforts supporting colon cancer screenings for those who cannot afford them.
Hamann also pointed out that in their nearly 28 years, not a single person every left in an ambulance. “Of course there were bumps and bruises here and there, but no one was ever seriously injured.”
Hamann also made it clear that employees were not left behind.
“All the employees got bonuses. We paid them beyond closing so they’d have time to find new jobs,” he said. “Everybody left happy.”
For many residents, the closure is deeply personal.
Generations grew up celebrating birthdays, first dates, and family outings at the park. For some, it was a weekly ritual. For others, a rite of passage.
“It’s crazy,” Hamann said. “People don’t realize how much something means until it’s gone.”
Even small details carry emotional weight. Hamann pointed to the trees on the property.
“I planted those palm trees when they were just a few feet tall,” he said. “Now look at them.”
The closure of Andretti Thrill Park reflects a broader trend across Brevard County, where rapid population growth is reshaping priorities.
Entertainment venues are increasingly being replaced with residential developments as demand for housing continues to rise.
While some residents have expressed frustration over “another apartment complex,” others acknowledge the reality of growth in one of Florida’s fastest-expanding regions. Just across the street, another major housing development in underway with a new subdivision of single-family homes by Lennar.
While the Melbourne location is closing, the Andretti brand is far from disappearing.
The company continues expanding its newer, over a dozen indoor entertainment centers, including a flagship location in Orlando that features multi-level karting tracks, arcade experiences, and upscale dining.
“I would never say never,” Hamann said when asked about a potential return to Brevard. “I love this community.”
The legacy of John Andretti lives on far beyond the tracks and entertainment centers that bear his family name.
After Andretti’s death from stage 4 colon cancer in 2020, the company made a commitment to turn tragedy into action.
“We’re now raising money so people who can’t afford a colonoscopy can get one,” owner Eddie Hamann said. “We’re already saving lives.”
Hamann described colon cancer as a “silent killer,” often showing no warning signs until it has already progressed. Andretti himself was in excellent physical condition and had no symptoms before receiving his diagnosis.
“He worked out every day. No signs. Then one day he goes to the doctor and they tell him it’s stage four,” Hamann said.
Through fundraising efforts tied to their entertainment venues, the company helps cover the cost of life-saving screenings for individuals without insurance or financial means. The initiative ensures that early detection, the most critical factor in survival, is accessible to more people.
For Hamann, the mission is deeply personal.
“That’s how we carry his legacy forward,” he said.
As demolition looms, Hamann says he has already come to terms with the transition.
“I’ve shed my tears,” he said. “Now it’s time to move forward.”
Soon, drivers passing by may never know what once stood on the property. But for the millions who visited, Andretti Thrill Park will remain a defining part of their childhood and of Brevard County history.
