Viera, Florida
Encyclopedia
Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
. It is part of an unincorporated section adjacent to the Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
area.
Geography
The Viera area borders 8 miles along interstate I-95 starting at exit 195 and extending down 3 miles miles beyond exit 191.Neighborhoods
The community consists of 52 neighborhoods in two areas named Viera East (32) and Central Viera (20). There are two active senior communities along with a military retirement community.Central Viera neighborhood communities: Summer Lakes, Sonoma, Stoneridge Townhomes, Wickham Lakes, Fairway Lakes at Viera and Wyndham at Duran.
- The Villages of North Solerno include: Colfax Landing, Charolais Estates, Ravencliffe, Capron Trace, and Indigo Crossing. These neighborhoods surround the North Solerno Park and are included in the Central Viera Community Association.
- The Villages of South Solerno include: Terramore, Daintree, Gatwick, Chelford, Eason Landing, Levanto, and Cortona. These neighborhoods surround Eastwind and Westwind Park along Tavistock Drive.
Viera East neighborhood communities: Viera East Golf Club, Villages of Viera East, Osprey Landing, Osprey Ridge, Heron's Landing, The Greens at Viera, Mission Bay Apartments, Lakes at Viera East, Grand Isle, Bayhill, Six Mile Creek, Cross Creek, Crane Creek, Hammock Lakes, Hammock Trace, The Heritage, and Fawn Ridge. Hammock Lakes was the first neighborhood completed in 1994.
History
The land was developed by The Viera Company, a subsidiary of A. Duda and Sons. On August 4, 1989, ground was broken for the new town of Viera. Starting in 1990, The Duda family has owned the property along I-95 and began turning the Cocoa RanchDuda Ranch
A. Duda & Sons refers to various agricultural and real estate development with ranches in Central Florida, Texas, and California.The company grows vegetables, citrus, sugarcane, and other crops, and raises cattle. It is best known as one of the top growers of celery in the United States...
into a new town with a mix of land uses, including a variety of housing types, offices, medical and industrial parks, shopping centers and recreational facilities.
The Viera Development of Regional Impact (DRI) was approved in 1990 for about 3000 acres (1,214.1 ha), making up Viera East. In 1992 construction began on what would become Viera East. In 1995, a 6000 acres (2,428.1 ha) expansion was approved by Brevard County as a Substantial Deviation to the original DRI. Application was made for Substantial Deviation #2 in 2006 and was approved to plan for the final expansion of the community. The 11567 acres (4,681 ha) expansion will include 5112 acres (2,068.8 ha) to be set aside as managed protected land, conservation areas, parks and open space.
The Viera Wilderness Park (5112 acres (2,068.8 ha)to be set aside during the expansion) will join with the 44000 acres (17,806.2 ha) river River Lakes Conservation Area which includes 14000 acres (5,665.6 ha) of Cocoa Ranch purchased by the St. Johns River Water Management District
St. Johns River Water Management District
The St. Johns River Water Management District is one of five Florida water management districts that is responsible for managing groundwater and surface water resources in Florida. SJRWMD covers an 18-county region in northeast and east-central Florida...
in 1999. Additional acres will be set aside within development areas to serve as conservation, parks and open space bringing the total actively managed protected land in the expansion area to over 50 percent of the total area.
The population of Viera (as of 2000) is approximately 19,083.
Etymology
Viera means "faith" in the Duda familys’ native Slovak language.Economy
Since its inception in 1989, Viera has attracted more than 100 businesses and over 4,000 permanent jobs including financial services, health care, other professional services and retail establishments.A. Duda & Sons, Inc. continues to raise cattle on the West Viera property as well as a portion of the River Lakes Conservation Area.
Retail
The Avenue Viera opened in 2004 and is an open air shopping center. It contains over 100 shops/restaurants and a multiplex movie theater. There are several nationally known restaurant chains and department stores.Industry
Viera is home to several large organizations, government offices and non-for-profits such as the Brevard ZooBrevard Zoo
Brevard Zoo is a zoo located in Melbourne, Florida, United States.In 2009, the zoo contained 577 animals representing 165 species from North and South America as well as Australia and Africa. The zoo is a non-profit institution. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.The zoo...
, Brevard County School District
Brevard County School District
Brevard Public Schools is a school district serving Brevard County, Florida, and based in Viera, Florida.In 2009, the district had about 72,519 students. 24% attend a school other than the one to which they are assigned. In 2009, the School Board was Brevard's largest local government employer with...
and Viera Hospital.
Government offices
The county's administration complex is located in Viera 1 miles west of Interstate 95. The government branches and offices include the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, County Manager, Planning and Development, Housing and Human Services, Public Works, Public Safety, Health Services and Clinic at Viera, Children's Health Services, Utility Services, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center and the Brevard County School Board offices are also located within the administrative complex.Tourism
The developer of the property, The Viera Company, hosts a variety of events each year for both the community and for the Central Brevard Area. Several main events include the Spring Bunny Hop, The July 4th Great American Celebration and the holiday tree lighting event. National charities such as the American Heart Association'sAmerican Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas...
Heart Walk, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the March of Dimes
March of Dimes
The March of Dimes Foundation is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies.-Organization:...
Walk for Babies have achieved success in the community.
Federal Representation
The Viera area is within Florida's 15th congressional districtFlorida's 15th congressional district
Florida's 15th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. The district contains most of Brevard County south of the city of Cocoa, all of Indian River County, most of Osceola County, and a very small portion of Polk County...
represented by Bill Posey
Bill Posey
William "Bill" Posey is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He formerly served in the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives....
.
State Representation
Within the boundaries of Viera, the State House (District 30) is represented by Ritch WorkmanRitch Workman
Ritch Workman is a Florida businessman and Republican politician who serves as a Representative in the House of Representatives of the U.S. state of Florida....
; the State Senate (District 24) is represented by Thad Altman
Thad Altman
Thad Altman is a member of the Florida Senate representing District 24.At age two, Altman's family moved to Florida where he attended area schools and graduated from Brevard Community College with an Associates of Arts degree in 1975...
.
County
The Viera community is located within an unincorporated boundary of Brevard County, District 4. The County Commissioner for this district is Mary Bolin. The Brevard County School Board Representative is Karen Henderson (also District 4).Community Development Districts and Master Community
Viera East Community Association (VECA) is a not-for-profit corporation formed in accordance with the Viera East Community Declaration and is the Master Association for Viera East. It is administered by a five-member Board of Directors and is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the hardscaping, landscaping and irrigation systems on most major roadways throughout Viera East, certain parks and recreational facilities. VECA is also responsible for overseeing the Modifications Review Committee (MRC).The Viera East Community Development District is a local, special purpose government entity authorized by Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes as amended, and created by ordinance of Brevard County as an alternative method of planning, acquiring, operating and maintaining community-wide improvements in planned communities.
Golf
Duran Golf Club, a 18-hole golf course, opened in 2005. It is located in Central Viera. It encompasses 130 acres (52.6 ha) in the neighborhoods of Fairway Lakes at Viera and Wyndham at Duran. The 10000 ft2 British West Indies-style clubhouse contains a restaurant. The center includes a 30 acres (12.1 ha) complex with a practice range, target greens, pitching greens and a putting green.Viera East Golf Club opened in 1993 and is located in Viera East. It winds through the neighborhoods of Parkstone, Oakefe, Canterbury, Brightwood, Addington, Durban Park, Blackheath, Aberdeen, Woodhall, Collingtree, Stratford Place and Ashton.
Baseball
The Washington NationalsWashington Nationals (AA)
The Washington Nationals of 1884 were a short-lived baseball team in the American Association. They won 12 games and lost 51. Their home games were played at Athletic Park in Washington, D.C. They are also known as the Washington Statesmen....
uses the Space Coast Stadium
Space Coast Stadium
Space Coast Stadium is a baseball stadium that was completed prior to the 1994 season as part of a plan to bring spring training for the Florida Marlins to Viera, Florida....
for their yearly Spring Training schedule during February and March. Major league players such as Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg
Stephen James Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft...
pitched during the 2010 spring training season.
The Brevard County Manatees
Brevard County Manatees
The Brevard County Manatees are a minor league baseball team of the Florida State League, and are the A-Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers...
uses the Space Coast Stadium
Space Coast Stadium
Space Coast Stadium is a baseball stadium that was completed prior to the 1994 season as part of a plan to bring spring training for the Florida Marlins to Viera, Florida....
during the summer months and is a single A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. The Florida State League (FSL) All-Star game was played in 2010, the second time in five years.
Parks
The Viera Regional ParkConstructed on 125 acres (50.6 ha) donated by The Viera Company, it has a community center; a fully equipped playground and three tot lots; 8 acres (3.2 ha) of lakes; a walkway system; two lighted Little League baseball fields; two lighted "major league" baseball fields; eight soccer pitches (2 lighted); lighted tennis and basketball courts; and two youth softball courts.
The Suntree-Viera Lightning Mighty Mites, an under-10 football team, won the OD National Championship in 2009.
In 2010, two soccer clubs with a total of 1,200 members vied for space on recreational ground.
The Suntree-Viera Lightning Bantams, an under 13 Football Comp Team, won the OD National Championship in January 2011.
Community Parks
Viera has six community parks and a number of pocket parks within each neighborhood. In Viera East, Clubhouse Park, Suseda Park and Woodside Park have children's play equipment along with adjoining trail systems. In Central Viera, Eastwind Park, Westwind Park and North Solerno Park contain modern play equipment with pools for local neighborhood communities.
Recreation
The Brevard ZooBrevard Zoo
Brevard Zoo is a zoo located in Melbourne, Florida, United States.In 2009, the zoo contained 577 animals representing 165 species from North and South America as well as Australia and Africa. The zoo is a non-profit institution. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.The zoo...
and the 200 acres (80.9 ha) Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands of Viera are located on the south end of the property.
Education
Viera has three elementary schools (Ralph Williams, Manatee, and Quest) and Viera High SchoolViera High School
Viera High School is a high school in Viera, Florida run by Brevard Public Schools. It was the fifteenth high school in the district and the first of the 21st Century Classroom schools in the county. The school is located on a campus with a student capacity of 2,338. The estimated budget for the...
.
Each of Viera’s public institutions (Williams, Manatee, Quest, and Viera) has received “A” grades since Florida’s grading process started, and each has received other state and national honors as well.
Ralph M. Williams, Jr. Elementary School
The school first opened in 1999. It was awarded the 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program AwardBlue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
. Twelve schools in the state have earned this honor and only 314 schools in the nation. Achieved status as one of the 10 Florida Power-Library Schools (FPLS) that recognize collective approaches to student achievement. The school is rated 'A' by the School Board of Brevard County and the State of Florida.
Manatee Elementary School
Manatee opened in 2003.It was chosen as a Statewide Music Demonstration School in the 2010-2013 calendar period. Manatee Elementary received the 2010 Achievement Through Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) award. The school is rated 'A' by the School Board of Brevard County and the State of Florida.
Quest Elementary School
Quest's awards in utilizing technology in teaching won them the 2009 Achievement Through Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) award. The school is rated 'A' by the School Board of Brevard County and the State of Florida.Plans for a middle school have been included with the existing future developments and are in consideration for the future.
Public safety
The local Brevard County Fire Rescue station 47 is the county's Specialized Response Truck dealing with HAZMATHazmat
Hazmat, HazMat and similar terms can refer to:* Hazardous materials and items—see Dangerous goods** Hazchem—a system of hazardous chemical classification and firefighting modes** A hazmat suit is a type of protective clothing...
incidents county wide. In 2011, the county opened Station #48.