Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Coastal Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County official outlines sand placement, Transform 386 recovery funds and workforce initiatives
Summary
Volusia County District 2 Commissioner Matt Reinhardt updated the city on coastal sand placement projects, Transform 386 infrastructure funding and a county homeowner recovery program, and described workforce and second‑chance training initiatives at the county jail.
Volusia County Council member Matt Reinhardt reported to the Daytona Beach Shores City Commission Tuesday on ongoing and planned coastal sand placement, federally funded recovery and infrastructure programs, and workforce initiatives intended to reduce recidivism.
Reinhardt said county and federal dredging will provide hundreds of thousands—into the millions—of cubic yards of beach‑compatible sand to bolster dunes and replace sand lost to storms. “We started with the idea of 2 projects … we were able to do yet a third dredging project, which will identify the shoal area … where we can get another 2,100,000 cubic yards of beach compatible sand,” Reinhardt said, describing the North Sand Placement Project and related Army Corps work.
Why it matters: beach sand placement and dune restoration are primary coastal protection strategies for the shoreline communities that rely on beach tourism and for protecting homes and infrastructure from storm surge and erosion. County funding and grants also support recovery of homeowner properties and infrastructure upgrades.
Recovery and infrastructure funding: Reinhardt said Transform 386 — a HUD-funded recovery program — has directed both homeowner recovery dollars and infrastructure dollars countywide. He said countywide Transform 386 allocations have funded more than 200 homeowner recovery projects, about $67 million for infrastructure improvements across the county, and that the county secured approximately $460 million overall for related projects. In Daytona Beach Shores, Reinhardt noted sewer improvements north of Dunlawton Avenue, replacement of sewer force mains along A1A and upgrades to 12 city‑owned lift stations, including emergency generators, as local Transform 386 priorities.
Parks and coastal projects: Reinhardt said the county was awarded $1.7 million for improvements to Frank Rendon Park, describing planned seawall repairs, restoration of pavilions and a new ADA dune walkover.
Workforce and reentry initiatives: Reinhardt described the county’s “second chance” initiative and jail-based training programs that include welding, barbering and forklift training, and plans for a farm and greenhouse to produce native plants such as sea oats and mangroves for habitat restoration. He said partners include Daytona State College and private employers.
Other items: Reinhardt announced JetBlue service to JFK and Boston from Daytona Beach International Airport beginning Dec. 4, and urged residents to register for ParkVolusia to access county beach driving and off‑beach parking benefits.
