COCOA BEACH, Fla. – On Monday, Driftwood Capital announced it would rescind its plans to ask the county to give a new 4-star hotel exclusive use of a public beach park in Cocoa Beach.
Despite that, concerned residents are still planning to hold a protest Tuesday over the proposed plan.
When finished, the Westin will be Brevard County’s only 4-star hotel when it opens in 2027, and it’s already on the largest hotel property in Cocoa Beach.
News 6 recently reported that Brevard County commissioners decided to withdraw consideration of a plan to give the hotel exclusive access to the south half of the park, saying the proposal needed some work before consideration.
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A Facebook group called “WAVESaction” posted on social media that they plan to protest the plan Tuesday afternoon at Lori Wilson North Park.
“Driftwood Hilton (north) and Westin (south) want to use Lori Wilson as an extension of their amenities with golf cart road connecting their resorts to the park - which will use parking,” the post read in part.
The original plan would have given the Westin exclusive access to the south half of Lori Wilson Park for up to 100 days a year, including renting all of the park for up to 12 days a year for Westin events.
It would include closing the park’s dog park on the south side by the construction site, so long as Westin builds a new dog park on the north side of Lori Wilson.
Organizer Sandra Sullivan said the protest will start at 4 p.m., one hour before a public meeting over the proposal begins at the Cocoa Beach Hilton.
Driftwood Capital owns both the Hilton and Westin, with the Hilton bordering the northern half of Lori Wilson and construction of the Westin taking place just to the south of the park.
“There’s a lot of public interest because this is a public park,” Sullivan told News 6 reporter James Sparvero. “They are a private company having private events. These parks were funded with state and federal grants that require public use in perpetuity,” she said.
Driftwood has responded to public criticism by saying it’s not taking over the park.”
It’s not a privatization of the park,” project engineer Hector Arechiga told Sparvero at the October 22 county commission meeting.
Sullivan disagreed.
”It looks like it’s an open-ended agreement that allows for additional amenities which are unspecified,” she said.
Ultimately, Driftwood Capital issued a statement on Monday afternoon, saying that the company has decided to “discontinue our pursuit of an agreement” with the county.
The statement is as follows:
“Dear Brevard County Residents,
I hope this communication finds you all well. After careful consideration and listening to the thoughts and concerns of Cocoa Beach residents, we have decided to discontinue our pursuit of an agreement with Brevard County regarding the proposed enhancements to Lori Wilson Park. In full candor, we believe it is vital to listen to the voices of the community we serve. We want to as-sure you that this choice reflects our commitment to fostering a harmonious relationship with all stakeholders involved.
Our intention has never been to exclude residents from enjoying the park or to impose limitations on the major events that have become such a cherished part of our community. On the contrary, we have always aimed to enhance the experience for both residents and visitors alike while ensuring that Lori Wilson Park remains a welcoming and accessible space. Our goal is to work collaboratively with the community and to engage in open dialogue about how we can best serve the interests of everyone who loves and uses this beautiful park.
In light of this, we are directing our efforts toward a positive contribution that aligns with the community's needs. We are pleased to announce that we are modifying our request to the county so that we can make a donation towards the development of a newer, enhanced dog park, which will provide a wonderful space for pets and their owners to enjoy. We believe this decision reflects our dedication to serving the interests of Cocoa Beach residents while promoting community well-being. Outside of this donation to upgrade and relocate the dog park everything else will stay the same (status quo). We believe this addresses all the issues mentioned at the County Commission. We will still hold the meeting on Tuesday (tomorrow) at 5PM at the Hilton Cocoa Beach to discuss the improvements to the dog park that we will be presenting to the County Commission.
We deeply value the spirit of Cocoa Beach and are dedicated to being a responsible corporate citizen. We truly appreciate your feedback and involvement throughout this process. As we move forward, we remain committed to finding ways to contribute positively and to support the vibrant community that makes Cocoa Beach a remarkable place to live and visit.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to working together to ensure that Lori Wilson Park remains a beloved and accessible hub for all.
Best regards,
Carlos J. Rodriguez
#PAWS4LoriWilsonPark #EnhanceLoriWilsonPark #Residents4LoriWilsonPark #SustainableCocoaBeach #PetFriendlyLoriWilsonPark
Cocoa Beach Local!”
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