You have been Heard!
In My Own Words
You have been heard
October 2023
By: Oshri Gal
First, I want to say thank you for the overwhelming support of everyone who took the time to take the poll we shared previously. While we know the parking garage project has been a source of controversy for our community, we would like to reiterate that the 1st proposed development was terminated the day the variance was rescinded.
I would like to keep this article productive by sharing some of the polling data we gathered. Per the date of this article, 89% of those who took the poll, think we should NOT build the proposed parking garage, 81% think that we should NOT leave the building as it is and 90% think we should reconsider other redevelopment ideas.
I am excited to announce “You have been heard”!!! I always have a back up plan for the back up plan! A new option, I’m nicknaming ‘The Charm’, not only because it is the 3rd option but it is based on community input. While not quite a redevelopment of the property, it is a completely different direction than the parking garage.
‘The Charm’ option is an innovative Food Hall. I did not invent the Food Hall concept, but my business model will be unique, innovative and community focused. It will allow multiple small businesses to thrive in a location that a very select few can afford to be in and hopefully help them achieve their own American dream! In this option I was meticulous in design that balances modern, clean design and curb appeal while attracting foot and vehicle traffic.
I will be submitting the building plans this month, or the next, and it will not require “political” approvals because the project is a remodel of the existing building and the uses are staying the same. My hope is that ‘The Charm’ option comes to fruition for me to be able to completely abandon the approved parking garage at that location!
In addition, I am excited to announce a proposed redevelopment of ours that is currently in the site plan approval processes in the most restrictive zone in Cocoa Beach. The RM2 district is the most under-developed in the city due to the challenging zoning parameters, making it very hard for developers like me to create spaces that are good for the community and the bottom line.
But we have done the impossible and it meets all zoning codes! This new proposed development is where the ‘Ice Cream Hut’ is currently located. We call it “Wave Haven”. It is a true mixed use of 3,000 sq ft of non-residential use and 4 residential units that will have a NET 0 electric consumption due to incorporating solar power. We are dedicated to developing properties as sustainable as possible. Our newly built OG Headquarters building in Cape Canaveral is also a Net 0 building.
One of the myths we would like to dispel through this dialog is the idea that Cocoa Beach is ‘growing’. According to our poll, 70% of you believe that it is growing. This belief is alarming because all the data I have seen points to the opposite being true. This shared belief that Cocoa Beach is growing is one that is holding the City and its residents back from making progressive steps towards managed growth.
The simplest example is looking at the managed growth in surrounding cities. Take a look at Cape Canaveral, they have a new multi million dollar community center that the residents get to enjoy. Cocoa Beach residents are utilizing decades old community spaces that are lacking in maintenance and upgrades, frankly it’s embarrassing.
This mindset of “if it's not broken why fix it” will be damaging for our future generations, as it is broken.
Again, we are not in favor of “Boca-fying” Cocoa Beach but we do believe that we need managed growth. To continue the dialogue we have posted a new poll on our website to gather more data on what our community really wants.
For more details on all of our projects and to view the results from the last poll please visit our website at OGEnterprises.com/community
~OG
