September 25, 2023

Key Project Updates

Meet the Candidates for City Council

And More

Hello all,

Today we have key project updates, overview of Bob Gibbs retail analysis, reminder for this Thursday State of the City at 21st AD, meet the candidates and more.

To start, reminder this Thursday, September 28, State of the City (both ZOOM and in person) at 21st Amendment Distillery with Mayor Cotugno and County Commissioner Moss -- Click here for more info and to RSVP.

PROJECT UPDATES:

RETAIL OPPORTUNITIES

On Thursday, September 14, retail analyst Bob Gibbs spoke in chambers to give us a detailed overview of Vero Beach’s potential for retail success. You may view the full replay here.

Gibbs was brimming with optimism describing the traits that make this place ripe for retail growth. He compared Vero Beach to Carmel by the Sea and Nantucket. People want to shop here and they want to stay here for extended periods of time. The current reasons for our apparent retail lag are non-market related.

Bob Gibbs analyzed three potential markets and found they can accommodate the following:

• Downtown:

  • 45 new stores/restaurants

  • 88,000 sq/ft of new retail total

• Ocean Drive:

  • 50% Growth opportunity

  • 125,000 sq/ft of new retail

• Three Corners:

  • 45,000 sq/ft of new retail

Gibbs made the following recommendations:

• Enhance walkability: A pedestrian-friendly environment in downtown will lead to greatly increased foot traffic and, in turn, greater business success. Gibbs says this is one of the easiest and most crucial fixes to revitalize downtown and stimulate commerce.

   

• Business Improvement District (BID): Gibbs stressed the need for Downtown to devote itself to being a business improvement district that will attract more customers. This includes:

  • Traffic calming

  • Wider sidewalks

  • Stronger architectural codes

  • Leasing and management best practices

  • Marketing

Other Highlights:

• Wider sidewalks or more parking?: When asked by City Manager Monte Falls whether he would prefer to see wider sidewalks or more parking, Gibbs answered wider sidewalks with more shade to create a pleasurable experience for downtown customers.

• Gourmet Grocer: While we have several popular and successful gourmet grocers -- Ryders, Chelsea's, Polo, Village Beach Market -- Vero Beach can absorb more gourmet grocers and the demand exists.

• Reviving the Theater: Would revive the arts scene and create an additional draw to bring people downtown.

• Fashion/Design District: Vero Beach can grow and develop without becoming another Delray Beach. The best way to achieve this is through a fashion/design district, which will cater to young people and families without the negatives associated with a nightclub scene

• Boutique Hotel in Downtown: Gibbs stated many people would actually prefer to stay downtown than on the barrier island. Boutique hotels attract people and businesses and there is a strong demand for one in downtown Vero Beach.

During the Sep. 12 City Council meeting, we received updates on the below projects, with corresponding timestamps. You may view a replay of that meeting here.

Three Corners - Timestamp 1:45:15

Jason Jeffries updated us on Three Corners, reminding us that there are already consultants under contract to move this forward. They are working on marketing materials and expect to have those ready within 30 days. The RFP for developers is live and the City Council hopes to have a contractor selected by December 15 and the next step is for staff at Kimley Horn to put together materials for the comprehensive plan amendment factoring in environmental and land use studies. Protecting manatees is of particular concern.

Water Reclamation - Timestamp 1:50:50

Water and Sewer Director Robert Bolton gave an update on the water reclamation facility. The RFQ for the project will go out in October with the goal of finding qualified contractors by December. The goal of the current pre-planning phase is to pre order parts with long lead times so that they will be ready to go by the planned construction start date. Some pre orders have already begun and further orders are expected to be placed in January. All steps being taken currently aim to reduce costs and time associated with the project. The city is in the process of soliciting grants, anticipating a 20% increase in sewer customers due to changes in state law.

City Marina Expansion - Timestamp 1:58:50

The marina expansion is the quickest project. The contract has already been submitted to USI, who is currently deliberating it. It is on track to be finalized by the September 30 deadline. The project is expected to take around 260 days from signing to completion, including the expected lead time for new dock material.

Lane Reduction Analysis - Timestamp 2:01:50

Ah yes…everybody’s favorite “zombie” project. Results from Kimley Horn support the idea that there is no traffic-related reason to not reduce lanes. More information will be released in the coming months. Everyone is strongly encouraged to attend the October 5 public information session, being held at the community center at 2266 14th Ave. at 5:00 p.m. Currently, Public Works Director Matt Mitts recommends reducing the lanes of each road by one to create space for parking and a bike lane.

Downtown Master Plan - Timestamp 2:07:00

Bob Gibbs gave his retail analysis of Downtown, Three Corners, and Ocean Drive. Talks with the planning consultant are ongoing and documents pertaining to the retail analysis can be found here.

Meet the Candidates

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Join us Wednesday, October 11 at 6:00 p.m. for "Meet the Candidates for City Council" on ZOOM where you will have a chance to learn where the candidates stand and ask them questions.

You may RSVP here

Candidate bios:

Taylor Dingle:

Taylor Dingle, Vice Chair for the City of Vero Beach Utilities Commission, former member of the City of Vero Beach Historic Preservation Commission, and dedicated community advocate, has devoted the past six years to gaining a command of the most pressing issues and related initiatives facing our community.  From Three Corners, Twin Pairs, and Downtown Master Plan, to the City Marina expansion, and relocating the Waste Water Reclamation facility, Taylor is committed to advancing these projects with an eye toward preserving the charm Vero Beach is known for, while working with the community to create a fresh, shared vision for the future.

A southwest Pennsylvania native with blue-collar roots, Taylor was raised in Centerville by his mother, a small business owner, and father, a US Steel worker. He attended Pennsylvania Western University and after graduation, relocated to Vero Beach. A member of the John’s Island Club Professional Golf Staff since 2017, Taylor met his wife, Taylor Eliason-Dingle, during his first season here in Vero Beach. That is when Taylor found his family, home, and future in Vero Beach. Taylor recognizes his generation will live with the consequences of today’s decisions and will work tirelessly to shepherd the most important projects to successful implementation.

Honey Minuse:

A Registered Nurse and long-time resident of Vero Beach, Honey Minuse has been very active in the community since 1989, when she and her husband, Dave, purchased a home in Vero Isles.  Among many other volunteer and leadership roles throughout the city, including Vero Isles HOA President (1996-2000 and 2004-2007) Minuse served on City Council (2020-2022) and the City’s Planning and Zoning Board (2011-2020) where she served as both Chair and Vice Chair.  It was during those years on Planning and Zoning that the Comprehensive Land Use Plan was updated, a major project with citizen participation throughout.  She was also Chair of the Noise Impact Committee which led to the adoption of the Vero Beach Noise Ordinance. Years earlier she participated in creation of the City's Vision Plan which still today defines how growth will be managed to maintain the unique charm of Vero Beach. She held a leadership role with the Indian River Neighborhood Association (IRNA) to assure the integrity of that Vision Plan and later brought it to a non-profit status, away from divisive politics.  The IRNA was a founding partner of the Clean Water Coalition under her leadership. 

Born and raised in New York, Minuse graduated from State University of New York at Stony Brook. and then became certified by the Veterans Administration in "Principles of Patient Evaluation and Diagnosis," prior to the establishment of the Nurse Practitioner role. An accomplishment during that time was being part of the team which established the diagnosis of Autism. She holds a current Florida license as a Registered Nurse (non-practicing) and serves as Ambassador for the Indian River County Mental Health Collaborative.

John Cotugno:

Incumbent Mayor John Cotugno hails from Rhode Island but landed in Vero Beach after retiring from over 40 years of leadership in the electronics Industry, primarily in the Semiconductor market. He immediately began serving our community as a Volunteer Public Policy Advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association on both the State and Federal level. In 2019: Governor DeSantis appointed him to the State Health Improvement Plan Committee, he was appointed both to the Vero Beach Utlites Commission, where he served as Vice-Chairman, and the Three Corners Steering Committee.

He was elected to the Vero Beach City Council in 2021 and began serving as Mayor in 2022.He resides in Central Beach with his wife, Jan Williams, and rescue dog Roxie.

REMINDER: If you vote by mail, all requests for Vote By Mail Ballots in Florida expired on December 31, 2022. So, to cast a vote by mail for the upcoming 2023-2024 elections, voters must submit a fresh request. Applications for mail ballots must be received no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. More details on application process here.

Let's Talk Vero is powered by