Rick Neale

FLORIDA TODAY

MELBOURNE — Shadowy sidewalks, darkened alleys and poorly lit parking lots dot the New Haven Avenue downtown corridor, where evening shoppers walk to their cars and thousands of people congregate on weekend nights.

City Hall officials have discussed dim downtown lighting for years. Now — in the afterglow of Saturday's sold-out Melbourne Food and Wine Festival — a pair of projects will help illuminate the area for wayfaring purposes and public safety.

About $10,000 in festival proceeds will pay for outdoor blue lights along New Haven Avenue near two key sites: the welcome archway and the U.S. 1 intersection, said Jarin Eisenberg, Melbourne Main Street executive director.

"We want to illuminate the ends of downtown, so that when people are driving by they know that something's happening. It's very dark when you drive by the west end at night, as well as on U.S. 1," Eisenberg said.

"(We'll) use blue to brand downtown and create an awareness, and foster a city-type feel downtown," she said.

Melbourne Main Street organized the inaugural culinary event, and Eisenberg said 1,000 people purchased attendance wristbands. She hopes future fundraisers will add similar lighting at other locations.

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On the nighttime safety front, the Melbourne City Council unanimously approved a $20,000 grant program last week that will encourage through incentives downtown property owners to install exterior lighting.

"The intent is to provide additional lighting in areas such as alleys, entranceways, sidewalks and parking lots that are heavily traversed today by pedestrians, particularly in the evening timeframes," Cindy Dittmer, community development director, told council members.

Grants will cover up to 90 percent of lighting installation costs, ranging up to $1,200 (one- to two-storefront buildings) and $2,000 (three or more storefronts).

"I think this is a super, super idea. From having walked downtown, there are a lot of dark areas. And I think this is a great project," Councilwoman Betty Moore said. "I'm glad to see that we're doing this."

Councilwoman Teresa Lopez said she wants to see the exterior-lighting program expand citywide throughout the business community.

"I've always heard that lighting was the cheapest form of insurance. I agree with that," Councilwoman Molly Tasker said. "I think we need some more lighting in these areas."

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Contact Neale at 321-242-3638, rneale@floridatoday.com or follow @RickNeale1 on Twitter