WATCH: Lori Wilson Park Special Meeting in Cocoa Beach Draws Large Crowd, ‘Private Company Shouldn’t Have Dibs on Public Land’
By Fox 35 // October 30, 2024
Janice Scott: 'Just leave our public space alone'
ABOVE VIDEO: Special Meeting at the Hilton in Cocoa Beach regarding the Westin Hotel and Lori Wilson Park.
ABOVE VIDEO: Cocoa Beach Residents Say ‘Hands Off’ Our Lori Wilson Park.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – (FOX 35) – A new $400 million-plus hotel in Cocoa Beach is facing opposition to its plans to rent a nearby public park for up to 100 days a year.
People aren’t frustrated with the property under construction, but some say a private company shouldn’t have “dibs” on a public piece of land.
“We all have such a negative feeling about it,” said Janice Scott, a former Cocoa Beach mayor pushing back on the park proposal.
She has negative feelings about a contract between the hotel and Brevard County. It would give the hotel exclusive use of the south part of Lori Wilson Park for up to 100 days a year.
“You have so much going on your property. Just leave our public space alone,” said the former mayor.
She isn’t alone. Many people have taken to social media about “Saving Lori Wilson Park.”
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ABOVE VIDEO: 10/22/2024 – Brevard County Commission Meeting
“This is a public park. This is for the people. This is for our visitors. This is for our tourism product. This is not just for one hotel chain,” said Sandra Sullivan.
FOX 35 News took these concerns to the developer for a response for those who feel this is a gross misuse of public space.
Carlos Rodriguez, the chairman and CEO of Driftwood Capital, said, “What I want to say is, they need to look at the whole picture.” He says his company will improve the park by maintaining the space.
“Right now, tax dollars are going to maintain the park and, quite frankly, not as good as it should be,” said Rodriguez.
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