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Babcock
Street Redevelopment
The
Babcock Street Redevelopment Area was created in 1997
to facilitate
the revitalization of an important commercial corridor in Melbourne. In
the years since, a remarkable improvement has taken
place. Members of the
Babcock Street Redevelopment
Committee prioritize public improvement projects.
Commercial space that stood vacant for years has been
filled. Significant new investments have been made in retail property. In
a more dramatic development, the area has begun to emerge
as a high-tech employment center with several companies locating
in the area. The district boundary follows
Babcock Street from New Haven Avenue northward to a point near U.S. 1.
Public improvements to the
district are assisted by local tax revenue that is set aside for the
redevelopment district. The City of Melbourne continues to fund
improvement projects in the area, the most recent being a median and
streetscape project.
The City acquired a
vacated, 13-acre theater property so that Babcock Street could be
realigned to intersect with U.S. 1. This has allowed a realignment of
the roadway to intersect directly with Highway U.S. 1. Most of the property was then resold
and is the site of a private development.
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