Building projects around Titusville signal optimism
Bulldozers clear land for a grocery store, construction workers erect new buildings for a car dealership and craftsmen renovate an old restaurant.
Businesses are expanding in Titusville, and that could be a sign that north Brevard is rebounding from the economic slump brought on by the retirement of the space shuttle program in 2011.
This month, crews began clearing a 14-acre lot for a Publix supermarket at the corner of State Road 50 and Barna Avenue.
The new Publix at Colonial Coast Crossing will feature a drive-through pharmacy as well as floral
"Anytime you get somebody making an investment in facilities, it is a good sign for Titusville," said Marcia Gaedcke, president of the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's great that they are investing, because they see the market and the opportunity.", bakery and deli sections in the front of the store, similar to the layout at Publix's Garden Street location that opened in 2011.
Publix Super Market officials said that they hoped to have the 45,171-square foot store open in February 2015, according to Titusville building official Richard Wheelus.
Lakeland-based Publix bought the land in 2012 for $1.25 million but let a 2011 building permit for the $2.75 million project expire.
Publix updated its construction drawings with the city in December, and the city issued a site development permit to allow the wooded property to be cleared.
"We are pleased that the company's confidence in the Titusville market remains strong and that construction has begun on their newest store in our community," said Laura Canady, Titusville economic development director.
Publix has not said what it plans to do with its older store in the Royal Oaks Plaza on Knox-McRae Drive, which is a mile from the SR 50-Barna site.
Meanwhile, there are several other construction projects under way in Titusville.
Work has begun on the 180,000-square-foot building to house Eckler Industries Inc. distribution center on Grissom Parkway.
The Ron Norris auto dealership on U.S. 1 will double its indoor space to 40,000 square feet as it puts new buildings on the 5-acre site where the Norris family started the business in the 1960s.
"We leveled the entire site, it has been a complete redevelopment," said Josh Norris, president of the dealership that sells Honda, Buick, GMC and Ford vehicles.
Discussions about the expansion had been ongoing for about 15 years and the decision to move forward came two years ago while the area was reeling from an economy slump.
"It looks like our timing is pretty good," Norris said. "It gives you confidence when the rest of Titusville is also under redevelopment."
He expects construction to be completed this fall.
Kyle Sanders is also taking a risk that the economy is improving in north Brevard as he embarks on a restaurant venture to renovate the former Paul's Smokehouse Restaurant on the Indian River across from the Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building.
After buying the restaurant for $1.22 million earlier this year, Sanders began a $500,000 upgrade of the 11,000-square-foot facility that was built in 1985.
Shiloh's Restaurant will open next month with new tile flooring, lighting, seats and tables. An interior wall has been removed for a view of the kitchen, which has all new equipment.
"It needed a rejuvenation," Sanders said. "It's pretty much a brand new restaurant."
Carpenters are still busy outside where a 4,000-square-foot deck area will open a month later that will seat 140 people.
Sanders credits north Brevard's economic woes for the opportunity to buy the riverfront restaurant.
He said if it wasn't for the downturn in the economy, the property would probably have been sold to build condominiums on the 9-acre property.
Sanders admits he is taking a risk opening a restaurant in Titusville but thinks the time is right as other ventures are popping up around town, including the $60 million Miracle City Towne Centre project.
"Business aren't built when the economy is booming," Sanders said. "Good business that make money are started when people take a risk and anticipate the curve."
Contact Gunnerson at twitter.com/scottgunnerson, sgunnerson@floridatoday.com, 321-360-1016.
Ron Norris auto dealership
Where: South Washington Avenue, downtown
Estimated completion date: Fall 2014
Details: Will double its indoor space to 40,000 square feet as it puts new buildings on the 5-acre site.
Publix
Where: State Road 50 and Barna Avenue
Estimated completion date: February, 2015
Details: Land clearing underway on 14 acres. Features will include a drive-through pharmacy as well as floral, bakery and deli sections in the front of the store.
Shiloh's Restaurant
Where: Former site of Paul's Smokehouse Restaurant across from the Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building.
Estimated completion date: Next month
Details: After buying the restaurant for $1.22 million earlier this year, owner Kyle Sanders began a $500,000 upgrade of the 11,000-square-foot facility that was built in 1985.