City Of Cape Canaveral

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL — The City of Cape Canaveral, in collaboration with ESA, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Culture, Arts, Preservation, and Enrichment Center (CAPE Center).  

This landmark initiative is Brevard County's only municipally owned and operated public recreational space dedicated to the arts, history, and community engagement. It represents a significant achievement in cultural and sustainable urban development. 

Originally built in 1966 as Cape Canaveral’s first city hall, the CAPE Center has undergone a complete transformation into a state-of-the-art facility, hosting galleries, educational spaces, and exhibits that celebrate cultural expression and historic preservation.  

The center was designed to be a showcase for environmental stewardship, featuring sustainable design elements like a 25-kilowatt rooftop solar array, LED lighting, water-efficient fixtures, Florida-native plants, and permeable concrete in its parking lot. 

Sustainable Innovation through Solar Energy 

The rooftop solar array, provided by ESA, is a key component of the CAPE Center, aligning with Cape Canaveral's 2021 Resiliency Action Plan. This plan targets the implementation of onsite renewable energy sources to power all city buildings by 2035.  

Since its activation in May 2023, the array has generated over 28,123.46 kilowatt-hours of electricity and has significantly reduced the building’s carbon emissions, avoiding approximately 13 tons of carbon dioxide. 

"We are proud to continue our partnership with ESA as we advance our sustainability objectives," stated Zachary Eichholz, the Chief Resilience Officer of Cape Canaveral. "The CAPE Center, with its innovative rooftop solar array, embodies our commitment to becoming a municipal leader in sustainable practices, lowering operating costs and reducing environmental impacts while fostering resilience." 

Facility Features and Amenities 

The CAPE Center is not only a hub for cultural activities but also features extensive amenities tailored to community needs and environmental sustainability. These include a classroom, an open Florida room for outdoor events, a kiln for artistic creations, extensive wall space for artwork, and interchangeable exhibit spaces designed to engage and inspire the community. 

ESA’s Role 

ESA's involvement in the CAPE Center went beyond providing the solar array; the company ensured the building was designed to be solar-ready and used the project as an educational platform to train staff on advanced onsite installation techniques. This initiative underscores ESA's commitment to promoting sustainable energy and community development. 

Looking Ahead 

The development of the CAPE Center has been in the works for the past five years, culminating in its official grand opening on March 30, 2024. This project is a testament to the city's dedication to improving public access to cultural resources and environmental sustainability.