funds would be used to purchase 58 acres owned by Brevard County Solid Waste Utilities Fund
WATCH: Brevard County Commission Chairman Rob Feltner, who also serves as Chairman of the Tourism Development Council, joined Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey last week to seek approval from the TDC for $2,500,000 in funding for the purchase of land for a fairgrounds in the City of Melbourne.
BREVARD COUNTY, VIERA, FLORIDA — Brevard County Commission Chairman Rob Feltner, who also serves as Chairman of the Tourism Development Council (TDC), joined Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey last week to seek approval from the TDC for $2.5 million in funding for the purchase of land for a fairgrounds in the City of Melbourne.
The plan proposes allocating $250,000 annually over 10 years from the TDC’s Capital Facilities Fund, totaling $2.5 million, alongside a matching $2.5 million commitment from the City of Melbourne.
These funds would be used to purchase 58 acres owned by the Brevard County Solid Waste Utilities Fund, located adjacent to the Sarno Road landfill in Melbourne.
Feltner emphasized the need for a large, dedicated fairgrounds to support events that enrich the county’s culture and quality of life, noting that existing venues like Wickham Park are no longer sufficient.
“Wickham Park is not large enough—we need a fairgrounds that can accommodate large-scale events,” Feltner stated.
Alfrey added that the City of Melbourne would manage the fairgrounds and lease it to event organizers. He also proposed creating a new entrance off Sarno Road to improve access.
“The Melbourne Fairgrounds would generate revenue through rentals and be self-sustaining,” Alfrey said.
TDC board member Tom Hermansen, a longtime Brevard hotelier and member of the TDC, raised concerns about long-term funding and whether the city might request future tourism development funds for improvements.
Alfrey clarified that the City of Melbourne, as the property owner, would be responsible for any future development costs. He also mentioned the possibility of establishing a fire training facility at the site to support further improvements.
Another board member, Alex Litras of Care Margaux, questioned the $5 million valuation of the land and whether other developers had shown interest. Alfrey confirmed that an appraisal had been conducted “of around $5 million” and affirmed the site’s suitability, citing the need for more green space.
“I’m from here, and we need more open green space for events,” said Alfrey. Feltner added, “I’d have a hard time seeing it developed for residential use.”
Alfrey assured the council that the site is safe and has already been cleaned up.
“The Sarno Road landfill is closing and operations are moving near I-95,” Feltner said, referencing the ongoing development of a new landfill near Route 192.
The new fairgrounds could eventually become the home for major events, including the Space Coast State Fair—Brevard’s most popular and highly attended event, which is currently held in Viera. Feltner said the Viera location is on leased land slated for future commercial development.
“I checked with The Viera Company—the Space Coast Daily Fair is on leased land, and that land will eventually be sold. I’m not wishing that on anybody, but it will eventually be developed,” Feltner said.
Giles Malone, Chairman of the 40th annual Space Coast State Fair and Partner with Brevard Productions Inc. and Space Coast Daily, said, “We have enjoyed tremendous success in Viera for the last 14 years. It was the vision of The Viera Company to keep the fair in Viera, and they have been tremendous to work with. If the fair should need an alternate venue in the future, then this proposed Melbourne Fairgrounds could be a viable solution.”
Malone went on to say, “Over the past 40 years, at our fairs, festivals and venues, we are proud to have hosted over 110 concerts of all genres here in Brevard, including the likes of Willie Nelson, three times, The Beach Boys, three times, Carlos Santana, Charlie Daniels three times, Joe Walsh; REO Speedwagon, John Waite, Stranger, The Doobie Brothers, Cheap Trick, three times, Ted Nugent, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble, Robert Palmer, Huey Lewis & The News, Sam Kinison, John K and Steppenwolf, Loverboy, Oingo Boingo, Don McClean, two times, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The Allman Brothers, Gregg Allman, Winger, Warrant, Billy Ray Cyrus, Meat Loaf, Bad Company, Molly Hatchet six times, Marshall Tucker, Blue Oyster Cult, Jamie Johnson, The Warped Tour, Pennywise, Great White, Collective Soul, Rick Springfield, Lee Greenwood, twice, KC & The Sunshine Band, Seven Mary Three, Mickey Thomas of Starship, Eddie Money, five times, Widespread Panic, Jars of Clay, Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Chicago, Jackyl, George Thorogood, Iron Butterfly, Mark Chesnutt, Pat Travers, Dirty Heads, two times, UB 40, two times, Toots & The Maytals, Maxi Priest, Julian Marley, The Original Wailers three times, Ky-Mani Marley, Neal McCoy, two times, Ricki Scaggs, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Pato Banton, Third World, two times, Jamie Fricke, B.J Thomas, Zach Williams, Mandisa, Casting Crowns, Soja, Inner Circle and many more.”
“As leaders in entertainment in Brevard, our special events like The Space Coast Seafood & Music Festival, The Space Coast Home Show, The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards, Space Coast Medicine Week, The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, Beach Fest, Cocoa Beach Spring Training and many more, have all been highly attended and have generated tens of thousands of room nights and millions of dollars in local economic impact over the past three plus decades,” said Tom Palermo, President and Publisher of Space Coast Daily and Brevard Production Inc.
The proposed Melbourne Fairgrounds could also provide a long-term venue for other displaced events.
The Brevard Renaissance Fair, which had to leave Wickham Park due to its 6-8 weekend duration and neighborhood interference, recently leased the 58-acre property owned by Brevard County Solid Waste and held its 2025 event there in January and February.
Julie Braga inquired about event rental fees for the potential site, and Alfrey responded, “If you want to host an event in Melbourne, you’ll pay for it. We don’t pick winners and losers.”
Ultimately, Feltner made a motion for the TDC to allocate the proposed $2.5 million over 10 years, matched by $2.5 million from the City of Melbourne, to fund the land purchase. Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina seconded the motion, and it was then passed unanimously—except for Tom Hermansen, who responded “present” during roll call.
The proposal will next be presented to the Brevard County Commission for consideration in May.
The post WATCH: Feltner, Alfrey Seek Approval from TDC for $2.5 Million to Fund Melbourne Fairgrounds appeared first on Space Coast Daily.