Daytona Beach CRA approves package of redevelopment agreements and downtown pilot detail

DAYTONA BEACH — The Daytona Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on Nov. 19 approved a series of redevelopment measures, commercial incentives and a six-month downtown Police Department special-detail pilot aimed at boosting activity and safety in CRA zones.

The agency unanimously approved an amendment extending the final draw date on a promissory note tied to the 2023 taxable redevelopment revenue note (Resolution CRA2023-10) and a license agreement with Salon 2 30 Inc. for outdoor seating adjacent to 116 Magnolia Avenue.

Public commenter John Nicholson questioned whether neighborhood services had been moved into CRA responsibilities and asked staff to clarify funding sources for projects; staff explained the extension request and commissioners voted 7–0 to approve the resolution.

The board also approved Amendment No. 1 to the Southern Cleaning Services Inc. contract, authorizing an expenditure of $7,405.80 from the Midtown Redevelopment Area Trust Fund to add city facilities to custodial services. One commissioner clarified that the total contract is roughly $247,000 but that only $7,405.80 would come from redevelopment funds.

Separately, the CRA approved a second amendment to the Framework Group LLC grant for a mixed-income project at 544 Orange Avenue that allows an initial six-month extension and up to two additional six-month extensions (effectively up to 18 months) to meet project deadlines. Rob Merrill, representing the applicant, told the agency, "We're ready to do the project," and asked for flexibility on timing. The amendment passed 7–0.

A Midtown acquisition and redevelopment agreement with the Midtown Community Development Corporation for mixed-use housing on city-owned parcels at 990 Orange Avenue and 301 Jean Street passed 6–1 after one commissioner said they wanted to reserve judgment pending results of an Army Corps of Engineers study about flooding and potential city property needs.

The agency approved a 10-year grant and license for a public art mural to be installed at 115 Myrtle Lane (artists/transcript: "David l Thurman" and "Maria mark Margareta Esbach Marissa") and a commercial property improvement award for renovation at 101 South Palmetto Ave., Suite 3, listed in the staff memo as roughly $32,386.40. Business owner James Carey thanked the board and said the space will also host a nonprofit, Cultiview.

Votes at a glance: the meeting record shows unanimous approvals (7–0) for the minutes and agenda; Resolution CRA2023-10 extension (7–0); Salon 2 30 license (7–0); Southern Cleaning Services amendment ($7,405.80) (7–0); Framework Group deadline amendment (7–0); public-art grant (7–0); commercial incentive for 101 S. Palmetto (7–0); and approval of a $36,400 downtown Police Department special-detail pilot for six months (7–0). The Midtown acquisition/redevelopment agreement at 990 Orange Ave. and 301 Jean St. passed 6–1.

Why it matters: The package advances multiple projects intended to spur private investment in downtown and Midtown and uses tax-increment funds for targeted repairs, cleaning and safety measures. Commissioners signaled the projects are important to downtown vitality but asked staff to provide more detail on funding breakdowns and flood-risk assessments where relevant.

What’s next: Staff will execute documents as authorized by the CRA chair and city clerk. Commissioners scheduled a workshop for Dec. 9 to consider broader CRA security proposals and to review downtown/Main Street/Beachside needs before taking additional votes on any expanded program.

Sources: Agency agenda and meeting transcript; public commenters and applicant representatives at the Nov. 19 meeting.