I'd like to begin my April Mayor's Message with a sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Mayor's Ball, benefitting Serene Harbor. On March 23, nearly 150 guests, including sponsors, local dignitaries, community partners, and citizens joined me in my efforts to support Serene Harbor's mission to end the cycle of domestic violence in Brevard County. For over three decades, Serene Harbor has been a beacon of hope, a lifeline for those caught in the grips of domestic violence. They have stood as a steadfast pillar of support, offering sanctuary, guidance, and unwavering compassion to those in their darkest hour. Thank you to our Brevard County Sheriff, Wayne Ivey, for joining me in this effort and handling our live auction. To everyone who attended, donated, or provided any support honoring this cause, thank you from the bottom of my heart. That evening was truly a testament to the boundless compassion and generosity that defines our city.
I hope you all were able to join us for the Third Annual Palm Bay Multicultural Festival presented by Thrifty Specialty Produce and Meats, Cocina Cafe, and the City of Palm Bay on March 23. Rain or shine, we were out there celebrating! This free event showcased culture, dance, music, food, and hands-on activities from countries around the world. We had live entertainment featuring the Spinning Canvas Dance Troupe, the Sifu Och Wing Chun Dancing Lions, food and craft vendors, face painting, glitter tattoos, inflatables for the kids, and much more. This annual event is sure to be even bigger next year!
In February, I had the pleasure of joining City staff for the most fascinating tour of Shapes Precision Manufacturing here in Palm Bay! It was an incredible experience getting an inside look at how they craft some of the most innovative custom-crafted parts used worldwide, including aviation, marine, and space industries. They even fabricate parts for the F35! Shapes Precision Manufacturing also has an incredible partnership with Bayside High School's Career Technical Education Program. The attention to detail and dedication to quality are evident in every step of their manufacturing process.
In March, the City of Palm Bay held a groundbreaking ceremony for our City's highly anticipated new Building E. This groundbreaking event signifies a significant step forward for Palm Bay. With a total square footage of 39,142, Building E will stand as a beacon of innovation and service excellence. This moment marks a significant milestone in the development of our beloved city, a testament to our commitment to progress and prosperity. The total cost of this monumental endeavor amounts to $16,519,379. Funding for this project is a combination of ARPA grant funds and Building Department funds, showcasing the City's commitment to investing in its infrastructure for the betterment of its residents. This state-of-the-art facility will house Utilities Customer Service, the Building Department, and the IT Department. This will benefit our residents by creating a customer service hub and bringing our 41 Building Department employees back on campus, as they have been leasing space across the street in the plaza since 2020. This new building will also free up space in one of the old buildings to allow our Police Department to expand, as they have outgrown the current building. Keep an eye out for project updates on the City's social media pages!
Also, in the beginning of March, I had an amazing time celebrating Little League opening night by throwing out the first pitch for Palm Bay East Little League!
I was honored to speak at the Marine Resources Council (MRC) 20th birthday celebration for the Ted Moorhead Lagoon House a couple of weeks ago. The MRC and the City are proud to be partners, doing our part to improve the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon, an estuary of national significance and the jewel of Brevard County. Recognizing the importance of the Lagoon to our residents and all of Brevard County, the City has made significant commitments of resources to help support the health of the Lagoon, including the installation of seven nutrient-separating baffle boxes in northeast Palm Bay. We will continue our partnership and commitment to protecting and restoring our precious Indian River Lagoon.
Join me in congratulating Amazing Glaze on becoming the second quarter Mayor's Business Spotlight Program winner for 2024! Amazing Glaze, located at 3540 Jupiter Blvd. SE, Unit 5, is a paint-your-own pottery studio and has been a family-owned and operated established business in Palm Bay since February 2023. They have often been referred to as a "therapeutic experience" by their customers, offering a creative space where individuals of all ages can unleash their artistic talents by painting a variety of ceramic pieces such as mugs, plates, bowls, figurines, and more! These items serve as blank canvases for customers to decorate according to their preferences. Aside from providing day-to-day customers with a family-friendly activity, Amazing Glaze gives back to the community by supporting schools, churches, and nonprofits through various donations and sponsorships. They host field trips, birthday parties, large groups, and a monthly LEGO meet-up for children of all ages. They even bring the joy of painting to elderly housing communities to promote inclusivity. Amazing Glaze provides citizens of Palm Bay with a space to enjoy quality time with loved ones and create lasting memories together through laughter and conversation and I am #PalmBayProud to honor them this quarter!
Some exciting news! Palm Bay is being recognized by Southern Living Magazine as one of the Top Rising Cities in 2024. Palm Bay was ranked No. 13 out of 25 based on research, editors' experiences, and reader input. According to Southern Living, "Saltwater fishing and unspoiled nature have long been the draw of this sleepy Space Coast town. But big things are on the way with a major development project called Ashton Park that is projected to add thousands of homes and about 5 million square feet of retail and commercial space to the area." This project will create a Towne Center affect for Palm Bay.
Each April, we celebrate Earth Day. If you're looking for a family-friendly opportunity to celebrate Mother Nature, come out to Fred Poppe Regional Park on Saturday, April 13, from 4-7:00 pm for the Second Annual Sustainability Fair hosted by the City of Palm Bay Sustainability Advisory Board. Enjoy food vendors, eco-vendors, a FREE rain barrel workshop (pre-registration required), sustainable demonstrations, and more! End the night with a special Earth Day Movie in the Park sponsored by the Palm Bay Utilities Department.
