The City of Melbourne is located on east central Florida’s Space Coast. Melbourne is about an hour’s drive south of the Kennedy Space Center, and 1-1/2 hours due east of Disney World. The City is in the southern portion of Brevard County. Interstate-95 runs through the county from north-to-south. Access roads from the west include the Beachline Expressway (formerly the Beeline) and U.S. 192, which runs through Melbourne to the beaches.
While most of Melbourne is located on the Florida mainland, a small portion is located on a barrier island. The Indian River Lagoon separates the mainland from the island. Spanning the Indian River Lagoon to connect the mainland to the barrier island are a pair of four-lane, high-rise bridges — the Melbourne Causeway and the Eau Gallie Causeway.
Nearby incorporated communities include Palm Bay, West Melbourne, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, and Satellite Beach. Viera and Suntree, unincorporated communities, are also nearby. Call a Melbourne Fl Real Estate Professional today!
Melbourne /ˈmɛlbərn/ is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 76,068. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1969 the city was expanded by merging with nearby Eau Gallie.
History / Settlement
After the Civil War, pioneer families arrived, and Melbourne was founded in 1867 by former slaves.The first settlers were Richard W. Goode, his father John Goode, Cornthwaite John Hector, Captain Peter Wright, Balaam Allen, Wright Brothers, and Thomas Mason. The city, formerly called “Crane Creek”, was named Melbourne in honor of its first postmaster, Cornthwaite John Hector, an Englishman who had spent much of his life in Melbourne, Australia. He is buried in the Melbourne Cemetery, along with many early residents in the area. The first school in Melbourne was built in 1883 and is now owned by Florida Tech and is on permanent exhibit on the campus. By 1885, the town had 70 people. The Greater Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1885 and is still active.
In the late 1890s, the Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home opened and it is still in business. The oldest black-owned business in the county is Tucker’s Cut-Rate plumbing. It opened in 1934.
In the early 1900s, houses were often built in the frame vernacular style.
In 1919, a fire destroyed most of downtown. At the time, it was rebuilt west of the train depot.
In late 1942 the Naval Air Station Melbourne was established as a site to train newly commissioned Navy and Marine pilots for World War II. The program ran until 1946, and the land that was used for that program makes up most of what is currently the Melbourne International Airport. In 1969, the cities of Eau Gallie and Melbourne voted to merge, forming modern-day Melbourne.
Geography
Melbourne is located approximately 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Orlando on the Space Coast, along Interstate 95. It is approximately midway between Jacksonville and Miami. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.6 square miles (102.5 km2), of which 33.9 square miles (87.7 km2) is land and 5.7 square miles (14.8 km2) (14.42%) is water.
The east-west street named Brevard Drive was historically the “center” of town; with addresses called “north” and “south” of this street. The north-south Babcock Street provided the same centerline for “east” and “west” directions.
Melbourne Beachside has a small presence on the South Beaches barrier island. It is often confused with Melbourne Beach, a separate political entity.
Climate
Crane Creek
Melbourne, Florida has a humid subtropical climate or Köppen climate classification Cfa – typical of the Gulf and South Atlantic states. Although Melbourne is classified as a Humid Subtropical climate (8 or more months with a mean temperature of 50 F/10 C or higher), Melbourne is located far enough southward that it lies close to the broad transition zone from subtropical to tropical climates (all months have a mean temperature of 64.4 F/18 C or higher). Melbourne averages 2900 hours of sunshine annually. Melbourne has the typical two season climate commonly found in humid subtropical climates – a hot and wet season (late May through October) and the warm and dry season (November through April).
Melbourne averages 49 inches (1,200 mm) of rainfall annually, much of it coming in convective thunderstorms in the late May to early October time period. The record rainfall occurred on August 20, 2008, when Tropical Storm Fay dropped 18.21 inches (46.3 cm). Melbourne can sometimes have moderate to severe drought conditions from late fall through spring, with brush fires occurring and water restrictions put in place. The National Weather Service located at Melbourne International Airport averages 2.9 days per year with frost, although several years might pass without a frost in the city of Melbourne or at the ocean beaches. According to the National Weather Service, there is no record of snow or snow flurries in the city of Melbourne in that last 150 years.
Average high °F 71.4
Average low °F 50.5
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.22
Flora
Tropical flora typical of more southerly locations may be grown in the Melbourne area (coconut palms, royal palms, Christmas palms, and bananas), but may be damaged or killed when subjected to infrequent light freezes.
Environment
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has ordered the city to reduce pollution of the Indian River Lagoon, which it borders; about 80% of the city’s landmass drains in the direction of the lagoon. The city must reduce run-off by 44,000 pounds (20,000 kg) of nitrogen and 13,000 pounds (5,900 kg) of phosphorus. The city responded by banning the use of fertilizer before flood and storm warnings.
Government
Melbourne City Hall
The Melbourne City Council consists of the mayor and six district council members. Melbourne uses a Council-Manager form of government.
Melbourne city officials created the Babcock Street Redevelopment District in 1998 to stimulate new development along Babcock Street from U.S. 1 south to U.S. 192. A 218-unit apartment complex built in 2005 is most recent step in an effort to revitalize this area.
Melbourne also is attempting to revitalize the downtown Eau Gallie Riverfront district.
A $165.3 million budget was passed for the 2012-13 fiscal year
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $4.96 billion.
A 2011 study rated the general pension fund for city employees highly at 190%. Less favorably rated were the pension plans for fire and police employees.
In 2009, the city had 870 full-time employees and 176 part-time employees.
Public safety
In 2010, the city employed 170 police, 140 of which were unionized. For administration, the city is divided into ten areas that require patrol.
A 2009 survey indicated that the city was ranked 84 out of 400 in crime statistics, with #1 being the worst. Crimes included murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.
A 2009 Halloween street party sponsored by a downtown restaurant attracted an estimated 8,000-10,000 people. This overwhelmed the downtown area. Street parties were curtailed until public safety issues were addressed.
Economy
Melbourne International Airport is located near the center of the city. Melbourne contains defense and technology companies with a high concentration of high-tech workers. The following corporations have operations in Melbourne:
DRS Technologies employed 910 workers in 2009. Another reference says 1,800 workers in 2009, 1,300 in 2010.
General Electric Transportation Systems and GE Energy Management
Harris Corporation (including corporate headquarters)
Northrop Grumman employed 1,640 workers in 2009.
Rockwell Collins employed 1,430 in 2009.
Embraer completed a 89,000 square feet (8,300 m2) hangar and administrative office at the Melbourne Airport in February 2011.
Ares Defense, who created the Ares Shrike 5.56 modular belt-fed machine gun platform, is headquartered in Melbourne.
LiveTV has its headquarters in Melbourne.
Workforce
In 2007, the average size of Melbourne’s labor force was 39,391. Of that group, 37,708 were employed and 1,683 were unemployed, for an unemployment rate of 4.3%.[43]
Housing
In 2008, 259 building permits were issued for 263 units. There were 209 permits issued for 320 units in 2007, which was down from 329 permits for 512 units in 2006.
The median home price in 2007 was $215,000.
In May 2005, the Melbourne-Titusville−Palm Bay area was among the top 20 in home price appreciation from 2003 to 2004.
Competitiveness
In 2009, Forbes ranked the area 18th out of 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas and first out of 8 metros in Florida for affordable housing, and short commute times, among others.
Retail and commerce
Melbourne has two downtown business districts, a result of the merger of Eau Gallie into Melbourne:
Downtown Eau Gallie Arts District
Historic Downtown Melbourne – among other retail outlets, this has 26 eating and drinking establishments within a four block extent.
Healthcare
The area has four hospitals, day care for senior citizens, hospice, walk-in, and urgent care facilities. There is Holmes Regional Medical Center, Wuesthoff Medical Center Melbourne Campus, and Kindred Hospital which does not accept emergency patients. A new Viera hospital was opened in May 2011.
Tourism
The city has two golf courses. There were 96,477 rounds played in 2009-10. Revenues were $2,207,502. Rounds and revenue have been dropping since 2006. in 2011, the city raised rates for residents to the same as for non-residents, $27 per round or $522 annual fee.
A monthly “Friday Fest” has been attended by 3,000 people and supported by 55 vendors.
Arts and culture
Annual cultural events
The annual Melbourne Independent Filmmakers’ Festival, held in early November, provides a venue for new filmmaker talent
The Melbourne Area Pilots Association hosts a General Aviation Day at Melbourne International Airport in September
The Annual IndiaFest and India Day are held in February and in August
The Melbourne Arts Festival, held in April, draws from 50,000-60,000 visitors
The Melbourne Main Street Fall Festival was expected to have an attendance of 30,000 in October, over two days.
The Melbourne Oktoberfest has been held each October since 1977 most recently this was held at the Wickham Park Pavilion
Christian churches have been producing a “Bible on Parade” since 1990, each participating church portrays a book of the Bible, a spokesperson said in 2011, that it may be the only one of its kind in America
Museums and points of interest
Rossetter House
Gleason House
Roesch House
There are three places on the National Register of Historic Places:
Florida Power and Light Company Ice Plant (1927) located at 1604 South Harbor City Boulevard
William H. Gleason House at 1736 Pineapple Avenue
James Wadsworth Rossetter House (c.1860s) at 1320 Highland Avenue
The following places also are historic:
Henegar Center (1919) located at 625 East New Haven Avenue
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (1886) at 50 West Strawbridge Avenue
Melbourne Bone Bed at Crane Creek
Nannie Lee House – Strawberry Mansion (1905) at 1218 East New Haven Avenue
Roesch House (c.1901) at 1320 Highland Avenue
Winchester Symphony House (1890s) at 1500 Highland Avenue
Museums
Foosaner Art Museum at 1463 Highland Avenue
Historic Rossetter House Museum at 1320 Highland Avenue
Liberty Bell Memorial Museum at 1601 Hickory Street
Groups
Brevard Symphony Orchestra
City of Melbourne Pipes and Drums
Buildings
Henegar Center for the Arts
Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
Melbourne Auditorium located on Hibiscus Boulevard
Sports
Melbourne was an official host city for the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay.
There are co-ed adult and youth sports programs in flag football and ultimate frisbee.
Parks, recreation, and attractions
The city of Melbourne contains over 554.72 acres (2.2 km2) of city park land, including 17 community parks, 13 neighborhood parks, and five smaller city parks
Brevard Zoo
Wickham Park
Public schools are run by the Brevard County School Board.
Colleges and universities
Eastern Florida State College
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida State University Satellite Campus
University of Central Florida Regional Campus
Keiser University – Melbourne
Everest University
Webster University – Patrick Air Force Base Campus
Elementary schools
Roy Allen Elementary
Ascension Catholic School
Dr. W. J. Creel Elementary
Croton Elementary
Harbor City Elementary
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Lower School (Preschool – 6)
Longleaf Elementary
Meadowlane Primary
Meadowlane Intermediate
New Covenant Christian School
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
Quest Elementary
Sabal Elementary
Sherwood Elementary
Suntree Elementary
University Park Elementary
Middle schools
Ascension Catholic School
DeLaura Middle School
Central Middle School
Florida Air Academy
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Upper School
Lyndon Baines Johnson Middle School
New Covenant Christian School
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
Stone Middle School
Southwest Middle School
High schools
Eau Gallie High School
Melbourne High School
Palm Bay High School
Satellite High School
Viera High School
West Shore Junior – Senior High School
Private Brevard Christian School
Florida Air Academy
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Upper School
Melbourne Central Catholic High School
New Covenant Christian School
Adult education
Palm Bay High Adult/Community Education
South Area Adult Center
Florida Today – Space Coast and Central Florida
The Crimson – The Florida Institute of Technology student-run newspaper
Historical marker
The Union Cypress Company Railroad ran east to west through south Melbourne in the early 1900s. The mill town of Hopkins was near the present-day streets of Mill Street and Main Street.
Rail
The Florida East Coast Railway runs through Melbourne, staying west of U.S. 1 through its entire run.
Bus
Space Coast Area Transit operates a public bus service in Melbourne and vicinity. The city subsidizes two routes internal to the city so Melbourne residents ride for free. Greyhound Bus Lines has a bus station in Melbourne
Airport
Melbourne International Airport (Florida)
Melbourne International Airport (IATA: MLB, ICAO: KMLB, FAA LID: MLB) is located about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northwest of the city’s original business district. The airport has daily flights to Atlanta (via Delta and Delta Connection), and Charlotte (via US Airways Express).
Utilities
Melbourne Water Tower
Power is provided by Florida Power and Light. Gas is provided by Florida City Gas.
Cable TV service is provided by Bright House Networks.
Traditional landline telephone service is mainly provided by AT&T, while some cable customers use Bright House Networks digital telephone (VOIP) service.
Internet service providers in Melbourne range from various 56 kbit/s providers, AT&T (formerly BellSouth) FastAccess DSL, and Bright House Networks cable internet, which uses Road Runner as their ISP. Fiber optic networks are installed in the city mainly for business purposes and have not been integrated for home use.
The Water Department not only provides water for the city, but for surrounding towns and cities for a premium, including Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Palm Shores, Melbourne Village, and a portion of Brevard County. Wholesale water service is provided to West Melbourne. The total distribution area is about 100 square miles (259 km2) Two water treatment plants take water from Lake Washington and deep wells, providing 25,000,000 US gallons (95,000,000 litres; 21,000,000 imperial gallons) of drinking water per day. This water is treated with chloramine and ozone. In 2003, water rates were $2.27/1,000 US gallons (3,785 l) sewer $4.47/1,000 US gallons (3,785 l).
Solid waste removal and recycling is provided by Solid Waste Management, part of the city of Melbourne’s Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) Division.
Namesakes
Melbourne Square, in the city of Melbourne, is located on US 192 west of downtown, is the largest shopping area in Brevard County. In the 1960s, the motto of Melbourne was, “Crossroads to the Universe”.
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