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Melbourne, FL – Melbourne just got a big boost from Florida’s state budget: $1.5 million split between two big local projects. That’s $1 million headed to spruce up the downtown streets and $500,000 for replacing the boat docks at Front Street Park.
City leaders are excited about the cash infusion, saying it’ll help make the area safer for walkers, tougher against storms, and better for folks hitting the water.
The main chunk of money goes to fixing up East New Haven Avenue, the stretch from Livingston Street over to U.S. 1. This is the heart of old downtown Melbourne, and the plan calls for rebuilding parts of it completely.
They’re talking wider sidewalks, better drains to handle rainwater, new plants and lights along the road, plus other touches to make it easier and nicer to stroll around. Back in 2024, they wrapped up a rough sketch of how it’d all look, including a bird’s-eye view east toward Campbell Park.
This million bucks will pay for the detailed blueprints – everything from pipes and storm drains to the actual pavement, paths, greenery, and extras. Once done, it should draw more people downtown, helping shops and eateries thrive while keeping that classic vibe.
The other half-million is for overhauling the docks at Front Street Park. That means swapping out the three old ones, shoring up the riverbank to stop it from washing away, patching the parking lot, and adding sidewalks and ramps that meet ADA standards. One ramp in particular will get tweaks for wheelchair access.
These docks are a key spot for getting boats into the Indian River Lagoon – one of just two public launches in town with extra docking space. But rising water has flooded them out multiple times, forcing closures. The new setup should handle that better, keeping things open for boaters.
Design work finishes up this summer, and they’re aiming to start building early next year. The state money covers part of the construction tab. Melbourne’s also chasing more funds from the Florida Inland Navigation District, with word on that coming by late September.
Both efforts show Melbourne’s push to beef up its setup against weather woes, make things open to everyone, and spark more business. The street work could turn downtown into a busier hub for shopping and hanging out, while the dock fixes keep the lagoon accessible without constant shutdowns.
The city worked with state reps to snag this funding from the 2025-2026 budget. As things move along, expect updates on schedules and chances for locals to weigh in via the city’s site or public works team.
Read the official press release here.
