COCOA, Fla. – The City of Cocoa is one step closer to a Brightline station.
On Wednesday, the Brevard County Tourist Development Council voted to approve $5 million in funding to go toward the station’s design and construction — but not without some pushback from the board.
“I was sweating bullets but as you can see now I’m trying to be cool as a cucumber,” said Cocoa Mayor Michael C. Blake. “Proper collaboration and communication gave us positive results. I’m happy to say that this will enhance the City of Cocoa. We’re now the focal point of Brevard County again.”
TDC member Tom Hermanson shared concerns over voting on the issue without reviewing the information ahead of Wednesday’s meeting.
“We’re handed this information and then asked to vote on a $5 million grant for a public-private enterprise with no opportunity to read it and really develop questions,” Hermanson said.
Jason Steele, chairman of the TDC and the Brevard County Commission, delivered a passionate plea for the members to vote in favor of the funding.
“If we sit here today and we ignore this request from the City of Cocoa, who has worked their butts off for years to get it, shame on us, shame on us,” Steele said.
Steele said he was worried what the final outcome would be.
“Well there was and I was very nervous about it candidly,” Steele said. “But the most important thing is, is that the TDC dug in, they asked good questions and got them answered by our county attorney and by myself but we ultimately ended up passing.”
The TDC’s contribution would still need to go before the Brevard County Commission to make it official.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: