Mayor Henry outlines infrastructure, housing and youth priorities in Daytona Beach interview

During a recorded Daytona Beach Television segment that followed the board meeting, Mayor Henry spoke at length about the city's priorities and recent projects.

Henry said infrastructure — including Orange Avenue and downtown improvements and park renovations — is central to his agenda and credited staff and commissioners for advancing projects such as the New Riverfront Esplanade. He highlighted progress on parks and said the city has increased road funding in recent years. Economic development wins (retail and entertainment projects) were cited as expanding the city’s tax base.

On housing, the mayor emphasized affordable and workforce housing with a focus on diversifying the housing stock and supporting homeownership. He described literacy and youth initiatives, including a mayor’s literacy initiative, a mayor’s fitness challenge, summer programs that produced student authors, and a new youth advisory board to increase young people’s access to city government.

Regarding flooding in Midtown and other low‑lying areas, Henry said the city will continue work with federal partners and noted the Army Corps of Engineers is expected to study some areas. He described potential long‑term approaches ranging from elevation strategies to relocation or large retention solutions and stressed that these issues are high priority for future planning.

Quotes and context: Henry framed these as quality‑of‑life priorities, saying the work is "about making Daytona Beach worthy of the dreams of our children" and pointing to Citizens Academy and other programs that bring residents closer to city operations. The interview covered a number of ongoing programs that the city says contribute to resident engagement and resiliency.