Redevelopment board approves up to $50,000 grant for Boardwalk decorative features

The Daytona Beach Redevelopment Advisory Board voted to approve a commercial improvement award not to exceed $50,000 for a property at 11 Boardwalk, staff said at the meeting.

Staff presented the application as part of the board’s commercial incentive program, describing it as a 0% interest, forgivable loan that becomes forgivable after two years if the business remains at the site. The property is in the RDB-4 beachside boardwalk amusement district, which allows entertainment and amusement uses, and staff recommended approving the request to replace three damaged decorative features.

Applicant Dina Pasipalakis, who identified herself as a former board chair and president of the Friends of the Bandshell, told the board the proposed pieces are fiberglass and come from a vendor that does work for large theme-park clients. "It's the same company that makes... creations that you see at Disney," she said, describing the new elements as durable and designed to meet code and wind loads.

Board members asked technical questions about materials, anchoring and code compliance; staff and the applicant said contractors plan to secure the elements to a structural backing to meet the city's wind and safety requirements. One feature was described as about 4.5 feet tall and another about 7.5 feet tall.

A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made, seconded by Mr. Bodorff and adopted by voice vote; no member recorded an opposition. The board noted the program’s goal of encouraging private reinvestment along Main Street and the boardwalk and invited the applicant and partners, including Friends of the Bandshell, to provide future updates to the board.

The approval is for the grant amount not to exceed $50,000; staff said the agreement as presented includes forgiveness of the loan after two years contingent on continued operation at the address.