Cocoa Beach, Florida

Interesting facts about Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931

Interesting facts about Cocoa Beach Florida, air conditioning, heating, repair and service.
The first non-native settlement in the area was by a family of freed slaves following the Civil War. In 1888, a group of men from Cocoa bought the entire tract of land, which went undeveloped until it was bought out in 1923 by a member of the group—Gus Edwards, Cocoa`s city attorney. At that time, Edwards` total holdings included approximately 600 acres (2.4 km2) and he had stopped practicing law to devote all his efforts to developing the area.[6][7][8]

The Town of Cocoa Beach was established on June 5, 1925. Gus C. Edwards was elected[citation needed] as mayor and served as a commissioner along with J.A. Haisten, and R.Z. Grabel. On July 27, 1925, Cocoa Beach held its first official meeting at the Cocoa Beach Casino, and adopted the City Seal.[9] A little less than a month later, plans for a pier became official.

In 1935, the FDOT opened up, what is now A1A, as a one lane dirt road to Eau Gallie.[10] In 1938, a policeman (called a "Deputy Marshal) was appointed to "to act in emergencies at night or at other times" for $.25/hour.[10] By 1939, the town had 49 residents. In 1940, the town requested that State Road 140 (now A1A) be routed on Orlando Avenue instead of Atlantic Avenue.[10] In 1942, the town prepared to receive men assigned to the newly opened Naval Air Station Banana River. Establishing regular garbage collection was discussed when the town discovered that the Air Station was having theirs collected.[10]

On May 1, 1942 the German submarine U-109 sank the La Paz off the shore of Cocoa Beach. Local boys were recruited for salvaging efforts and to rid the beach of the subsequent debris.[11] During World War II, Cocoa Beach experienced money shortages for employees, and money to fix roads.[10]

In 1944, the town successfully fought a bill introduced in the Florida legislature which would have dissolved the city government.[10] In 1947 a single police officer was hired for $1/hour. The same year, the city constructed works for the distribution of potable water.[10] In 1950, a volunteer fire department was created which used a second-hand vehicle.[10] In 1950, a proposal to stop people from driving on the beach was defeated.[10] In 1951, the city sought to place a stoplight, the city`s first, at the intersection of what is now A1A and Minuteman Causeway.[10] In 1953, the city decided to mark the names on all streets.[10] In 1953, the city planned to pave A1A south from 520 down Orlando Avenue. The city intended to bear 1/3 of the costs, the adjacent property owners, 2/3.[10] In 1954, the Woman`s Club opened a library in the building used by the Fire Department.[10] In 1955, the speed limit in most of the town was raised to 35 miles per hour (56 km/h).[10] In 1955, the city prepared to house the people that were going to be launching missiles from what is now Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.[10] In 1956, the city attorney warned the council that blacks might attempt to use the beach. If they did, he recommended clearing the beach of all persons, white and black. The city proposed selling the town dump to the School Board for a Junior High School, in order to keep students from being bused to Merritt Island.[10]

On June 29, 1957, the town of Cocoa Beach incorporated into a city. In September, 1959, the city voted to add more sidewalks, improve the streets in residential areas and the main streets, and to pave more roads.[12]

In 1965, Cocoa Beach High School requested that Cocoa Avenue, the street that the school was located on, be changed to Minutemen Blvd., in honour of the school`s mascot, the Minuteman.

Cocoa Beach started its major growth during the 1960s (1000% population increase from 1950 to 1960)[7] due to America`s space program. NASA`s John F. Kennedy Space Center is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of the town. Many people moved to Cocoa Beach due to their jobs involving the space program, and in search of new opportunity.

After manned space flights, the town held parades in honor of the astronauts.

After NASA`s Apollo program came to an end, and before the Shuttle program was in full swing, the town`s economy reacted to the layoffs. At one point, in 1975, unemployment was 14.3%.[8] Many families lost their jobs or simply moved away. People could not sell their homes and some walked away from them.[citation needed]

Cocoa Beach was the setting for the 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie; although star Barbara Eden made only two visits during the show`s production (both in 1969 for publicity), and no episodes were actually filmed there.[13] Cocoa Beach High School was used as the school in the 2002 movie Race to Space.[14]

The 2010 Nebula Awards were held in the city.[15]
[edit] Government

Cocoa Beach run by a Commission-Manager government, agreed to by its citizens in 1958. The City Commission acts as the legislative branch of the city government, guided by the provisions of the Charter of the City of Cocoa Beach. The City Commission enacts ordinances and resolution that the City Manager administers as the appointed executive officer of the city government.[16]

The city owns and runs a golf course on the Banana River.[17]

In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $2.09 billion.[18]
[edit] Geography
Cocoa Beach Pier built in 1962 extends into the Atlantic Ocean

Cocoa Beach is located at 28°19′52″N 80°36′47″W / 28.331035°N 80.613035°W / 28.331035; -80.613035.[19]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.0 km² (15.0 mi²). 12.7 km² (4.9 mi²) of it is land and 26.3 km² (10.1 mi²) of it (67.49%) is water. Bordered on the north is Cape Canaveral; on the south is Cresent Beach; on the east is the Atlantic Ocean (5.6 miles of oceanfront); on the west is the Banana River.

Propelled by a powerful hurricane, the ocean pushed its way through the barrier islands centuries ago and formed the Thousand Islands in the Indian River.[20]

Many of the homes in Cocoa Beach are built on dredged mud and sand from the Banana River.
[edit] City Commission

The City Commission is made up of five members, one of which is the Mayor. Historically, the commissioners were elected at-large to three-year terms but with a successful referendum on the 2010 ballot to hold elections on even-years, terms were increased to four years in duration. The 2010 election also resulted in the re-election of Skip Williams and a successful campaign by Dave Netterstrom for Seat #5 over the incumbent, Don John. Following the election, a Vice Mayor is then selected from the Commission members at an organizational meeting. The Mayor presides over all meetings and performs duties as delegated to the Mayor by the City Commission.[16] Seats affected by the 2010 referendum include Seat #1, Seat #4 and Seat #5.

* Mayor/Commissioner, Seat #1 - Dr. Leon "Skip" Beeler (term expires 2012)
* Vice-Mayor, Seat #2 - Kenneth Griffin (term expires 2012)
* Commissioner, Seat #3 - Kevin S. Pruett (term expires 2012)
* Commissioner, Seat #4 - Skip Williams (term expires 2014)
* Commissioner, Seat #5 - Dave Netterstrom (term expires 2014)

[edit] City Manager

The City Manager is appointed by the City Commission and is responsible for the city`s day-to-day operation. The city`s charter has established a separation of powers and responsibility between the Commission and the Manager: The elected Commission establishes policy that the Manager and staff carry out. The City Manager conducts day-to-day operations through four city departments: Administrative, Public Safety, Utilities, and Recreation.[21] Charles Billias has filled this office since 1998.[22]
[edit] Public transportation

Public transportation in Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, and surrounding Brevard County is provided by Space Coast Area Transit.
[edit] Surrounding areas

* Merritt Island West.svg
* Atlantic Ocean Boxed East arrow.svg
* Cape Canaveral North.svg
* Crescent Beach South.svg

[edit] Climate

Cocoa Beach`s climate can be classified as subtropical.