Viera, Florida
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Viera, Florida
|settlement_type = Planned community
|image_map = FLMap-doton-Viera.png
|mapsize = 250x200px
|map_caption = Location of Viera, Florida
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Florida}}
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = Brevard
|subdivision_type3 =
|subdivision_name3 =
|subdivision_type4 =
|subdivision_name4 =
}}
Viera ({{IPAc-en|v|j|ɛ|r|ə}}) is a planned community located in the central coastal region of Brevard County, Florida. It is part of an unincorporated section adjacent to the Melbourne, Florida area. However, Viera is actually much closer to Cocoa than to Melbourne. For census purposes, it is divided between the Census Designated Places of Viera East and Viera West. At the 2020 census, Viera East had a population of 11,687,{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Viera East CDP, Florida| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=January 31, 2012}} while Viera West had a population of 16,688.{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Viera West CDP, Florida| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=January 31, 2012}}
Geography
The Viera area borders {{convert|8|mi|0}} along Interstate 95 starting at exit 195 and extending south of Florida road 404. It encompasses {{convert|14500|acres}}. About half of this has been set aside for conservation.{{cite web|url=http://www.vierastewardshipdistrict.org/public-records/other-public-records/|title=Other Public Records - Viera Stewardship District|website=www.vierastewardshipdistrict.org}}
Neighborhoods
The community consists of 76 neighborhoods in two specific areas named Viera East (38) and Viera West (38). Included are five active adult communities/55+, Brennity at Melbourne, Bridgewater at Viera, Viera Manor and Heritage Isle, Grand Isle, along with a military retirement community, Indian River Colony Club.{{cite web|title=Neighborhoods|url=http://www.viera.com|website=Viera|access-date=3 September 2014}}
= Viera East =
The neighborhood communities of Viera East are Auburn Lakes, Bayhill, Crane Creek, Cross Creek, Fawn Ridge, Grand Isle, Hammock Lakes, Hammock Trace, Heron's Landing, Lakes at Viera East, Mission Bay Apartments, Osprey, Six Mile Creek, The Greens at Viera, Capron Ridge, The Heritage, The Villages of Viera East, Viera East Golf Club, and Wingate Estates.{{cite web|title=Viera East Community|url=http://www.vecainc.com|website=Viera East Community Association|access-date=3 September 2014}}
:Viera East Golf Club includes the following communities: those of Aberdeen, Addington, Ashton, Blackheath, Brightwood, Canterbury, Collingtree, Durban Park, Oaklefe, Parkstone, Stratford Place, and Woodhall.
:The villages of Viera East include the following communities: those of Bennington, Somerville, and Templeton.
= Viera West =
The neighborhood communities of Viera West are Adelaide, Arrivas Village, Artistry at Viera Apartments, Fairway Lakes at Duran, Heritage Isle, Highlands Viera West Apartments, Marisol at Viera Apartments, Modern Duran, Sonoma, Stadium Villas, Summer Lakes, The Brennity at Melbourne, Three Fountains at Viera Condominiums, Villages of North Solerno, Villages of South Solerno Wickham Lakes, and Wyndham at Duran.{{cite web|url=http://www.cvcaviera.com/neighborhoods/|title=Neighborhoods – Central Viera Community Association - CVCA|website=www.cvcaviera.com}}
:The North and South Villages of Solerno include Capron Trace, Charolais Estates, Chelford, Colfax Landing, Cortona, Daintree, Eason Landing, Gatwick Manor, Indigo Crossing, Levanto, Ravencliffe, Sunstone, and Terramore.
= Viera South =
Viera South is west of Interstate 95 and South of Wickham Road and has the communities of Avalonia, Bridgewater at Viera, Kerrington, Stonecrest, Loren Cove, Reeling Park, The Rutherford Collection at Reeling Park, Seville, Valencia, Strom Park, Trasona Cove East, Trasona Cove West, Sendero Cove, and Sierra Cove, Aripeka, Pangea Park, Laurasia, and Del Webb at Viera. Planned for development in 2024 are Crossmolina, The Landings, and Farallon Fields
History
The land was developed by the Viera Company, a subsidiary of A. Duda and Sons, which owned the property formerly known as Cocoa Ranch. On August 4, 1989, they broke ground in this unincorporated area for the new community of Viera.{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.duda.com|website=Duda|access-date=3 September 2014}} It is derived from viera meaning 'faith' in Slovak, in honor of family patriarch Andrew Duda, who immigrated to the United States in 1912 from what became Slovakia.John Grogan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140226054748/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-11-04/news/9002230501_1_duda-family-andrew-duda-government-buildings "Agriculture Family Offers Sweet Deal, Grows Brevard City".] 4 November 1990. Retrieved 20 February 2014. Starting in 1990, the Duda family started developing a new community with a mix of land uses, including a variety of housing types, offices, medical and industrial parks, shopping centers and recreational facilities. Todd Pokrywa was appointed President of The Viera Company effective September 1, 2018.{{cite web |last1=Price |first1=Wayne T. |title=Pokrywa named as the incoming president of The Viera Co., replacing retiring Steve Johnson |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2018/03/29/pokrywa-named-incoming-president-viera-co-replacing-retiring-steve-johnson/471130002/ |website=Florida Today |access-date=16 December 2022}}
The Viera Development of Regional Impact (DRI) was approved in 1990 for about {{convert|3000|acre}}, making up Viera East. In 1992 construction began on what would become Viera East. In 1995, a {{convert|6000|acre|adj=on}} 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 {{convert|11567|acre|adj=on}} expansion will include {{convert|5112|acre}} to be set aside as managed protected land, conservation areas, parks and open space.{{Cite web |url=http://newscontest.flatoday.net/0820fay/floridatoday.com/article889.htm |title= Viera has a change in plan |access-date=2017-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103123849/http://newscontest.flatoday.net/0820fay/floridatoday.com/article889.htm |archive-date=2014-01-03 |url-status=dead }}
The Viera Wilderness Park ({{convert|5112|acre}} to be set aside during the expansion) will join with the {{convert|44000|acre|adj=on}} River Lakes Conservation Area, which includes {{convert|14000|acre}} of Cocoa Ranch purchased by the St. Johns River Water Management District 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.{{cite web|url=http://viera.com/VieraRegions/VieraWest.aspx|title=Viera West|last=Viera|website=viera.com}}
Economy
Viera has more than 350 businesses, including financial services, health care, and retail.{{cite web|url=http://www.vieravoice.com/September-2015/Business-leaders-get-update-on-Viera-Company-projects/|title=Business leaders get update on Viera Company projects - Viera Voice - September 2015|website=www.vieravoice.com}}
=Retail=
The Avenue Viera, an open-air shopping center, opened in 2004. It contains over 100 shops/restaurants with 600,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space and a multiplex movie theater. There are several nationally known restaurant chains and department stores.{{cite web|url=http://www.avenueviera.com/about-us|title=The Avenue Viera ::: About Us|website=www.avenueviera.com}}
=Industry=
Viera has several organizations, government offices and non-profits, such as the Brevard Zoo, Brevard Public Schools, the [http://www.brevardclerk.us/ Brevard County Clerk of Courts], and Viera Hospital.
The first Park-N-Ride lot, in unincorporated Brevard County, is located there.{{cite journal|last1=White|first1=George|title=Scoot To SCAT and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint|journal=Viera Vision|date=June 2010}}
=Government offices=
The county's administration complex is located in Viera {{convert|1|mi}} 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 Medical 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.
=Community events=
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 through the Viera Community Institute. Several main events include the [http://lightupviera.com/ Light Up Viera Holiday Parade], [http://greatamericancelebration.com/ the July 4th Great American Celebration], and the [http://vieracommunityinstitute.com/viera-nature-festival/ Viera Nature Festival].
National charities such as the American Heart Association's Heart Walk, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the March of Dimes Walk for Babies, the Devereux Foundation,{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/bluewatercreative/docs/vv-sept2016_issuu/18|title=Viera Voice September 2016|website=issuu.com}} St. Baldrick's Foundation{{cite web|url=https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/5744/2017|title=Space Coast Conquers @ The Avenue Viera - A St. Baldrick's Event|website=stbaldricks.org}} and the [http://scarecrowstroll.com/ Scarecrow Stroll & Harvest Festival] have achieved success in the community.{{cite web|url=http://www.viera.com/AboutViera/CharitableGiving.aspx|title=Charitable Giving|last=Viera|website=www.viera.com}}
Government
=Federal representation=
=State representation=
Within the boundaries of Viera, the State House (District 32) is represented by Thad Altman;{{cite web|url=http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/districtdetails.aspx?housedistrict=52&senatedistrict=17&MemberId=4329&SessionId=83&SenateMemberID=4671&CongressionalDistrictID=8&LAT=28.231626510620117&LONG=-80.713790893554688&houseDistrictId=52&senateDistrictId=17&congressDistrictId=8|title=Florida House of Representatives - Elected Officials - House District: 32|website=www.myfloridahouse.gov}} the State Senate (District 17) is represented by Debbie Mayfield.
= County =
The Viera community is located within an unincorporated portion of Brevard County, District 4. The County Commissioner for this district is Rob Feltner.{{cite web|url=http://www.brevardfl.gov/CountyCommission/Commissioners/District4|title=District 4 Commissioner Rob Feltner|website=www.brevardfl.gov}} The Brevard County School Board representative is Matt Susin (also District 4).{{cite web|url=http://www.edline.net/pages/Brevard_County_Schools/School_Board/District_4|title=Brevard County Schools: District 4 Profile|website=edline.net}}
Community Development Districts and Master Community
Viera East Community Association (VECA){{Cite web|url=http://www.vecainc.com/viera.htm|title=Welcome to Viera East|website=www.vecainc.com}} 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, and in 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.{{cite web|url=http://vieraeastcdd.com/|title=Viera East Community Development District|website=vieraeastcdd.com}}
Sports
=Golf=
Duran Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course, opened in 2005. It is located in Central Viera.{{cite web|url=http://www.durangolf.com|title=Viera Golf - Duran Golf Club - 321 504 7776|website=www.durangolf.com}} It encompasses {{convert|130|acre}} in the neighborhoods of Fairway Lakes at Viera, Modern Duran and Wyndham at Duran. The {{convert|10000|ft2|adj=on}} British West Indies-style clubhouse contains a restaurant. The Duran Development Center includes a {{convert|30|acre|adj=on}} complex with a practice range, target greens, pitching greens, a putting green, Footgolf and 9 hole par 3 course playable at night.
Viera East Golf Club opened in 1993{{cite web|url=http://www.vieragolf.com|title=Viera East Golf Club|last=coursetrends.com|website=www.vieragolf.com}} 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 USSSA{{cite web|url=http://usssa.com/landing/usssa_landing|title=USSSA - United States Specialty Sports Association|website=usssa.com}} (United States Specialty Sports Association) relocated to the Space Coast Stadium in 2017. The USSSA primarily focus on amateur sports involving youth baseball, and youth and adult softball.{{cite web|url=http://usssa.com/landing/newsRead/?ID=9401|title=USSSA - United States Specialty Sports Association|website=usssa.com}}
In 2018, Viera was the host location of that year's installment of the Women's Baseball World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.wbsc.org/tournaments/2016-womens-baseball-world-cup/news/wbsc-awards-florida-based-usssa-hosting-rights-for-womens-baseball-world-cup-2018/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223160616/http://www.wbsc.org/tournaments/2016-womens-baseball-world-cup/news/wbsc-awards-florida-based-usssa-hosting-rights-for-womens-baseball-world-cup-2018/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 23, 2017 |title=WBSC awards Florida-based USSSA hosting rights for Women's Baseball World Cup 2018 |date=October 12, 2017 |website=World Baseball Softball Confederation |access-date=December 22, 2017 }}
Parks
;Viera Regional Park
Constructed on {{convert|125|acre}} donated by the Viera Company, Viera Regional Park has a community center (18,000 square feet), a fully equipped playground, three tot lots, {{convert|8|acre}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.brevardfl.gov/ParksRecreation/South/Viera|title=Viera Regional Park|website=www.brevardfl.gov}}
The Suntree-Viera Lightning Mighty Mites, an under-10 football team, won the Offense-Defense National Championship in 2009.{{Cite news | first=Matt | last=Lawson | title=Lightning Mighty-Mites win national championship | work=South Beaches Breeze | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 5 | date=13 January 2010 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=66261|title=Hometown News|website=www.myhometownnews.net}}
In 2010, two soccer clubs with a total of 1,200 members vied for space on recreational ground.{{Cite news | first=Jim | last=Waymer | title=Two soccer clubs compete for lights | url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20101208/NEWS01/12080340/1006/Two+soccer+clubs+compete+for+lights+at+Viera+park| publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1A | date=8 December 2010 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.100breakingnews.com/hot-news/soccer-two-soccer-clubs-compete-for-lights-at-viera-park |title=Soccer | Two Soccer Clubs Compete for Lights at Viera Park |access-date=2010-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211123801/http://www.100breakingnews.com/hot-news/soccer-two-soccer-clubs-compete-for-lights-at-viera-park/ |archive-date=2010-12-11 |url-status=dead }}
The Suntree-Viera Lightning Bantams, an under-13 Football Competition team, won the OD National Championship in January 2011. In 2016, he SVYFL Hawks (14 and under) won the National Youth Football Championships.{{Cite web |url=http://www.svyfl.com/news/svyfl-seniors-hawks-are-national-champions/ |title=SVYFL Seniors Hawks are National Champions!! | SVYFL |access-date=2017-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204005350/http://www.svyfl.com/news/svyfl-seniors-hawks-are-national-champions/ |archive-date=2017-02-04 |url-status=dead }}
;Community parks
Viera has 13 community parks, three dog parks and a number of pocket parks within each neighborhood.{{cite web|url=http://viera.com/VieraOutdoors/ParksTrails.aspx|title=Parks & Trails|last=Viera|website=viera.com}} In Viera East, Clubhouse Park, Suseda Park and Woodside Park have children's play equipment along with adjoining trail systems. In Viera West, Eastwind Park, Westwind Park, North Solerno Park, Palmentto Park, Woodmill Park, Viera Town Center Park, Sandhill Park, and La Roca Park contain various styles of modern play equipment. La Roca Park contains the only outdoor skating rink in the community.
Recreation and tourism
File:Brevard Zoo - Flickr - Rusty Clark (68).jpg
The Brevard Zoo and the {{convert|200|acre|adj=on}} Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands of Viera are located at the south end of the community. Viera has over {{convert|100|miles}} of trails throughout the community and multiple run/walk events are held throughout the year including the Christmas Fit-mas, 3k{{cite web|url=http://www.runningzone.com/events/christmas-fit-mas-3k|title=Christmas Fit-Mas 3K|website=www.runningzone.com}} Run Run Santa 1 Mile,{{cite web|url=http://www.runningzone.com/events/run-run-santa-1-mile|title=Run Run Santa 1 Mile|website=www.runningzone.com}} Super Hero 5k,{{cite web|url=http://www.friendsofchildrenofbrevard.org/super-hero-run|title=Super Hero Run|date=7 February 2015|website=friendsofchildrenofbrevard.org}} East My Crust 5k,{{cite web|url=http://www.runningzone.com/events/eat-crust-5k|title=Eat My Crust 5K|website=www.runningzone.com}} Komodo Krawl 3k at the Brevard Zoo{{cite web|url=http://www.runningzone.com/events/komodo-krawl-3k-at-the-brevard-zoo|title=Komodo Krawl 3K at The Brevard Zoo|website=www.runningzone.com}} and Excalibur 10 Miler and Dragon Slayer 2 Miler.{{cite web|url=http://excaliburrun.com|title=Excalibur Run -|website=excaliburrun.com}}
Education
Viera possesses four elementary schools, a charter school, two academies, and a high school. Plans for a Viera middle school have been included with the DRI plans for the community but the three feeder chain middle schools are in other areas of Brevard. Each of Viera's schools has received "A" grades since Florida's grading process started, and each has received other state and national honors as well.{{cite web|url=http://news.brevardtimes.com/2016/02/florida-releases-school-grades-most.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219204506/http://news.brevardtimes.com/2016/02/florida-releases-school-grades-most.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 19, 2016|title=Florida Releases School Grades: Most Brevard Public Schools Get An 'A'|website=news.brevardtimes.com|date=13 February 2016 }}
- Ralph M. Williams, Jr. Elementary School
- Manatee Elementary School
- Quest Elementary School
- Viera Elementary School
- Viera Charter School K-8
- Pinecrest Academy Space Coast
- Amazing Explorers Academy Viera
- Delaura Middle School, John F. Kennedy Middle School, and Ronald McNair Magnet Middle School are the feeder chain middle schools
- Viera High School
Public safety
The local Brevard County Fire Rescue station 47 is the county's Specialized Response Truck dealing with HAZMAT incidents county wide.{{cite web|url=http://www.brevardcounty.us/fire_rescue/fr_ops_fire_stations.cfm#47|title=Brevard County Florida Page Error|website=www.brevardcounty.us}} In 2011, the county opened Station #48.{{cite web|url=http://www.americantowns.com/fl/viera/news/brevard-county-fire-station-48-grand-opening-4804866|title=Brevard County Fire Station #48 Grand Opening - Viera, FL|website=www.americantowns.com}} This station is the county's only special operations/hazardous materials responding and training station.{{cite journal|title=Local Firefighters Brace for Call|journal=Viera Voice|date=September 2013|pages=1–2}} #48 is also home to a 9-11 memorial which includes a piece of steel from the fallen World Trade Center towers.{{cite web|url=http://www.americantowns.com/fl/viera/events/9-11-memorial-event|title=9/11 Memorial Event at Brevard County Fire Station No. 48 in Viera, FL 09-11-2011|website=www.americantowns.com}}
Infrastructure
=Sewage=
The county's South Central Wastewater Facility is located here.{{Cite news | first=Tess | last=Sheets | title=Warning lifted for some after raw sewage overflow | newspaper=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida| pages= 1A | date=September 26, 2017 }}
=Irrigation=
Since irrigation is commonplace, residents in Viera are able to irrigate properties via reclaimed water or standard city water (depending on location.)
See also
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://www.viera.com/viera-vision Viera magazine]
- [http://www.vieravoice.com Viera local newspaper]
{{Coord|28.266401|-80.728934|type:city_region:US|format=dms|display=title}}
{{Brevard County, Florida}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Unincorporated communities in Brevard County, Florida
Category:Populated places established in 1990