Melbourne Seeks Resident Input on Fire Station 72 Location

City to hold public meeting on April 20 to discuss relocating station at Jimmy Moore Park

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:21am

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The city of Melbourne, Florida will hold a public meeting on April 20 to gather resident input on locating a replacement Fire Station 72 at Jimmy Moore Park. The meeting comes after the city council previously rejected a plan to build the new station at the park due to concerns from residents about the loss of green space, flooding risks, noise, and the park's value to the community.

Why it matters

The relocation of Fire Station 72 is a significant community issue, as the station's location impacts public safety, green space preservation, and the overall character of the Jimmy Moore Park area. The city is seeking a compromise that addresses residents' concerns while also meeting the fire department's operational needs.

The details

City officials say the goal of the public meeting is to identify whether there are opportunities to address the public's concerns and find a potential compromise if Fire Station 72 remains at Jimmy Moore Park. The city is exploring park improvements such as playground upgrades, additional parking, and a walking trail around the stormwater pond to offset the loss of green space.

  • The public meeting will be held on April 20, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  • The Melbourne City Council previously rejected a plan to build the new Fire Station 72 at Jimmy Moore Park during its July 8, 2025 meeting.

The players

Jenni Lamb

Melbourne City Manager

Cheryl Mall

Melbourne's public information officer

Joan Junkala-Brown

Melbourne Deputy City Manager

Jimmy Moore Park

A community park in Melbourne where the city is considering relocating Fire Station 72

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What they’re saying

“The goal of City staff is to identify whether there is an opportunity for the City to address the public's concerns and identify a compromise should the future site of FS 72 remain at Jimmy Moore Park.”

— Jenni Lamb, Melbourne City Manager

“Staff is exploring additional improvements to Jimmy Moore Park that would satisfy residents and offset the concern regarding the loss of green space should FS 72 be relocated at the eastern boundary of the Park.”

— Joan Junkala-Brown, Melbourne Deputy City Manager

What’s next

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The takeaway

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