Commission approves 10‑year license for Daytona Beach Boat Club; public asks city to open marina property to more uses

The Daytona Beach City Commission voted unanimously June 3 to approve a 10‑year license agreement allowing the Daytona Beach Boat Club Inc. limited use of the city‑owned facility at 419 Basin Street for $600 per year, with two decadal renewal options.

The measure, moved by Commissioner May and seconded by Commissioner Strickland, passed six to zero after a short public comment period. John Nicholson, a nearby resident, told commissioners the marina building is underused and urged the city to advertise request‑for‑proposals for riverfront restaurants or a banquet center that could bring more public access and revenue. “This is a beautiful building. If there was a deck behind it, you'd have a restaurant deck on the river looking at all those beautiful boats,” Nicholson said.

City staff and commissioners clarified the license limits and insurance requirements. Staff said the license reserves two days per month for the boat club while the city retains the right to use the facility for other purposes. Commission discussion focused on ensuring marina residents could reserve the space and on insurance and liability requirements for private rentals. The city indicated that staff would draft administrative procedures and return a resolution with standards for leasing or licensing the facility.

The commission also agreed to bring back a resolution at a future meeting that would set process and standards for staff to administratively approve temporary uses of the facility, and to review whether parks and recreation or the business enterprise function will manage public reservations.

Next steps: staff will return with draft rental/reservation procedures and a proposed resolution for the commission to consider at a subsequent meeting.