The New Welcome Center – Port Canaveral
B E P A R T O F . . . the new Welcome Center at Port Canaveral
At the heart of Florida’s Space Coast lies an ocean gateway.
A strategic location in history, ancient and modern, Port Canaveral has been at the epicenter of early Spanish exploration in the New World, Revolutionary battles, the burgeoning of Florida’s cruise and tourist industries, the voyage of mankind into space…and much more.
To honor the past and celebrate the Space Coast’s continuing achievements and significance, an iconic structure is being raised seven stories above a lakefront Port site, highly visible for miles around.
This Welcome Center is designed to serve as a focal point for the community, a repository of rich local history, a magnet for visitors and gateway to the abundance of the region.
You can be a part of this initiative from the beginning, by joining us in making this Center a true representation of what can be done by a strong community with so many reasons for pride.
S h o w t h e w o r l d
The Center Construction has begun on the $21 million, 22,000-square-foot Welcome Center, the focal feature of an extensive, multi-phase redevelopment of The Cove harborside dining and retail area (see back page). The Center was designed by GWWO Architects, who also are responsible for the George Washington Visitor Center and Museum at Mount Vernon.
EXHIBITS: Haley Sharpe Design, creators of displays for famous attractions around the world including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C, is designing exhibits to take visitors on a journey through 12,000 years of area history — from treasure hunting, military battles and Ponce de Leon’s Florida landing to today’s beach culture, space exploration and thriving industries.
TECHNOLOGY: State-of-the-art technology will enable the designers to create exciting interactive adventures unique to the Port, such as a virtual ship bridge from which visitors can pilot a cruise ship through the Canaveral Channel or a display of the changing Brevard coastline through history.
Global Attention 
The Center presents an exceptional opportunity for your message of support to gain notice. Event and destination-rich Central Florida offers a large existing market of potential visitors. Completion is planned for fall 2013, when the American Association of Port Authorities’ prestigious national Convention will introduce visitors from throughout the Western Hemisphere to Brevard County. Annually, more than two million multi-day and gaming cruise passengers plus the thousands of Jetty Park and Cove visitors pass through the Port. A total of 1.2 million annual day visitors and nearly 2.5 million overnight visitors come to Brevard County, while popular nearby Orlando draws more than 55 million visitors each year.
Renderings © GWWO Architects and Haley Sharpe Design
CANAVERAL PORT AUTHORITY • 445 CHALLENGER RD • SUITE 301 • CAPE CANA VERAL • FL 32920
1-888-767-8226 • TEL: 321-783-7831 • FAX: 321-784-6223 • info @portcanaveral .com
WWW.PORTCANAVERAL.COM
The Draw of a New Destination
The Welcome Center is expected to establish itself as a destination with its own drawing power, plus it is just the beginning of an extensive Canaveral Port Authority project to redevelop The Cove harborside marketplace area and bring significant benefits to local businesses and Brevard County’s overall economy.
To the west of The Center, a linear greenway, surrounded by retail and dining venues, will be added along the major sightline to the beautiful view of cruise ships at dock across the Port channel.
To the east of The Center and the lake, a 5,000-person outdoor amphitheatre will accommodate entertainment events.
The current waterfront restaurant district will be redesigned and expanded.
The total Cove project potentially offers half-a-million square feet of leasable office, restaurant and retail space, providing opportunities for a large number of businesses.
For additional information, contact the Canaveral Port Authority.
