Orlando Extended Metro Developments (Volusia/Brevard/East Polk)

[jrs2]

no photo so I get a point deducted...

that apartment building on the beach just south of the Americano site... there are two tower cranes up now, a red one and a blue one (political solidarity?) that they have been assembling over the past couple of weeks.  Aside from the pilings that have been going in...now, we will finally see vertical movement.

[spenser1058]

Road Trip tomorrow for @JFW657 - first 88 at the new Panda Express on Woodland Blvd. in (DeLightful!) DeLand get FREE FOOD:

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/entertainment/dining/2022/02/15/panda-express-opens-woodland-boulevard-deland/6796330001/

From The News Journal 
 

[spenser1058]

NSB’s Washington Street, which connects the North Causeway with US1 downtown, is getting a $1 million upgrade:

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2022/02/20/new-smyrna-beach-public-forum-discuss-washington-street-project-nsb/6811408001/

From The News Journal 

Orlando’s DRMP is handling the design.
 

Edited February 21, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Daytona Beach decided it was high time do something about the moribund state of retail on the beach side’s historic Main Street. So, ummmm, it’s doing something about it.

It’s amazing how quickly a town transforms when the good ol’ boys finally retire and competent, energetic leadership steps in. What a concept!

 

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2022/02/24/daytona-beach-main-street-building-could-help-revive-struggling-area/6918709001/ 

From The News Journal 

 

 

[spenser1058]

Parks are all too often slated for demolition by neglect by developers, even when they have been known as a city’s signature space. (Have you ever wondered what unhappy childhoods led developers and the politicians who enabled them to care about nothing but money?)

Riverfront Park in Daytona almost met the same fate but one of the major families in the city, including J. Hyatt Brown and his wife, refused to let that be their legacy to the city.

Along with activists and the retirement of a city manager who spent decades allowing the city to fall apart, Riverfront is on its way back to being a jewel for the enjoyment of everyone, not just a few wealthy condo dwellers.

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/opinion/2022/03/06/daytona-beachs-riverfront-park-through-ages/6971450001/

From The News-Journal 
 

Edited March 6, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

DeBary working to turn 170 riverfront acres into parkland instead of a subdivision with help from Florida Forever:

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2022/03/07/debary-wants-volusia-grant-save-riverside-property-development/9319937002/

From The News Journal 
 

[jrs2]

On 3/6/2022 at 7:48 AM, spenser1058 said:

Parks are all too often slated for demolition by neglect by developers, even when they have been known as a city’s signature space. (Have you ever wondered what unhappy childhoods led developers and the politicians who enabled them to care about nothing but money?)

Riverfront Park in Daytona almost met the same fate but one of the major families in the city, including J. Hyatt Brown and his wife, refused to let that be their legacy to the city.

Along with activists and the retirement of a city manager who spent decades allowing the city to fall apart, Riverfront is on its way back to being a jewel for the enjoyment of everyone, not just a few wealthy condo dwellers.

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/opinion/2022/03/06/daytona-beachs-riverfront-park-through-ages/6971450001/

From The News-Journal 
 

Hey, Spense, that park, near Main Street bridge, I noticed they have that old house on the property.  What is the significance of that?  Was it moved to there, was it already there?  Thx.

[spenser1058]

4 hours ago, jrs2 said:

Hey, Spense, that park, near Main Street bridge, I noticed they have that old house on the property.  What is the significance of that?  Was it moved to there, was it already there?  Thx.

That’s a mystery to me. I’m headed over there next month and see if anyone knows.

[spenser1058]

Gotta love this - ever so respectable NSB is awash in spring breakers - most of them high school students. It seems several local school boards picked the same week for spring break and the local kids are going wild. New Smyrna has instituted a curfew for those under 18 - we’ll see how it goes or else we’ll send @HankStrongover there to get those jd’s in shape!

[spenser1058]

A century old building in (DeLightful!) DeLand to receive a federal grant for restoration:

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2022/03/18/historic-deland-building-restoration-effort-receives-500-000-grant/6985060001/

From The News-Journal

Great cities preserve their past unlike one down I-4 about 30 miles…

 

[spenser1058]

The east end of the Daytona Beach Pier will be closed for repairs for the next couple of months:

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2022/03/18/fishing-section-of-daytona-beach-pier-shut-down-until-may-for-repairs/7087122001/

From the News-Journal 

Did you know the 1925 casino building  (now home to Joe’s Crab Shack) is on the National Register of Historic Places? It’s always good to see cities maintaining their historic spaces.
 

 

Edited March 20, 2022 by spenser1058

[jrs2]

On 3/19/2022 at 10:09 PM, spenser1058 said:

The east end of the Daytona Beach Pier will be closed for repairs for the next couple of months:

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2022/03/18/fishing-section-of-daytona-beach-pier-shut-down-until-may-for-repairs/7087122001/

From the News-Journal 

Did you know the 1925 casino building  (now home to Joe’s Crab Shack) is on the National Register of Historic Places? It’s always good to see cities maintaining their historic spaces.
 

 

I remember when it was a casino.  the parents would just dump me at the Boardwalk while they went to the adults only place on the water...

[spenser1058]

5 hours ago, jrs2 said:

I remember when it was a casino.  the parents would just dump me at the Boardwalk while they went to the adults only place on the water...

Bring back the Space Needle!

[jgardnerucf]

2 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Space Needle

It's in the Everglades at Shark Lookout.

[HankStrong]

On 3/18/2022 at 3:58 PM, spenser1058 said:

Gotta love this - ever so respectable NSB is awash in spring breakers - most of them high school students. It seems several local school boards picked the same week for spring break and the local kids are going wild. New Smyrna has instituted a curfew for those under 18 - we’ll see how it goes or else we’ll send @HankStrongover there to get those jd’s in shape!

GET OFF MY LAWN!

[jrs2]

16 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Bring back the Space Needle!

word!

[klstorey]

I'll drop these here versus in the SunRail board as I'm mostly focused on the area around the station. On my way out of Deland the other day I stopped by the train station to check out their future SunRail stop. There's some growth in the area but nothing too big just yet. This area feels so disconnected from Deland. I'm hoping they develop some type of trolley connecting the fish camps on the St. John's to this station and then to downtown. I think the St. John's fish camps are crucial as the region is starting to see more interest in river cruises. I could see river cruises disembarking at the camps and then having some type of unique transit option linking them to downtown. It would only make sense to then also include the SunRail Station. 

The Deland Station needs a lot of TLC before it can handle any crowds. The parking is very limited but there did seem to be a few cars parked long-term there, I guess it's ok to leave a car here if you take Amtrak? 

The Station itself has a lot of character. I hope this building is restored. The biggest issue IMO is the electrical, which seems to be slowly covering every wall. 

There's some noticeable water damage on the building too and I'm not sure if these railings are really all that safe. They looked pretty beat up. 

I love this awning. Whatever they do with this station, I hope this stays!!

The area around the station is pretty dead. I can't imagine any type of traffic using these roads on a regular basis. This area needs major updates before it could handle SunRail crowds. I did notice a few new housing developments, albeit very small ones, not too far from here. 

Just across the train tracks on the north side of New York Ave is this lot. It had some activity on it. IDK what's going on with this site but it would make the most sense for parking and an expansion of the station. 

On the southern side of the Old New York and on the same side of the tracks as the parcel above is this beauty. This building could easily be preserved and turned into a small cafe or store. Seems like a great place for train passengers to visit. 

On the same side of the tracks as the station is this biker bar. It was the only thing open in the area. I didn't venture inside as it looked a bit rough. 

The station does a taxi area. This could easily be used once SunRail comes. 

I love this park area at the entrance of the station. The gazebo was nice. I hope this greenspace is preserved and improved ahead of SunRail. I really hope they don't destroy this for parking or something. 

 

[codypet]

Re Future Deland Station:  Think Debary style transit hub with the existing building but pretty much everything else updated.

[spenser1058]

Here at UPOrlando, we know just how popular tearing things down is with some of our crew. Well, here’s a big one - the City of Daytona Beach Shores is inviting you to the start of demolition of the long-neglected Treasure Island Monday at 11am:
https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/2022/03/23/treasure-island-demolition-begin-march-28-daytona-beach-shores/7139286001/

From The News Journal 

Don’t miss your chance to ooooh and awwww at the bulldozers!

Edited March 23, 2022 by spenser1058

[jrs2]

17 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Here at UPOrlando, we know just how popular tearing things down is with some of our crew. Well, here’s a big one - the City of Daytona Beach Shores is inviting you to the start of demolition of the long-neglected Treasure Island Monday at 11am:
https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/2022/03/23/treasure-island-demolition-begin-march-28-daytona-beach-shores/7139286001/

From The News Journal 

Don’t miss your chance to ooooh and awwww at the bulldozers!

I miss those old themed  (ala '50's and '60's style) hotels and motels in DB...  I wish new flags would just name the places like so:  "Mayan Inn by Comfort Inn).  On that hotel, the sundial thing is in a warehouse.

19 hours ago, codypet said:

Re Future Deland Station:  Think Debary style transit hub with the existing building but pretty much everything else updated.

I thought VoCo took a scat on Sunrail and future plans.  I guess not?

[spenser1058]

5 hours ago, jrs2 said:

I miss those old themed  (ala '50's and '60's style) hotels and motels in DB...  I wish new flags would just name the places like so:  "Mayan Inn by Comfort Inn).  On that hotel, the sundial thing is in a warehouse.

I thought VoCo took a scat on Sunrail and future plans.  I guess not?

Change in government - we went from an anti-everything Ormond Beacher to a native (an SOBs supporter!) populist who lives in DeLeon Springs (or at least he did before the election). It changed the political climate 180 degrees. He’s also a Gator.

He still pulls out his MAGA hat a tad too often but as a native he values infrastructure.

 

Edited March 24, 2022 by spenser1058

[jrs2]

On 3/24/2022 at 4:49 PM, spenser1058 said:

Change in government - we went from an anti-everything Ormond Beacher to a native (an SOBs supporter!) populist who lives in DeLeon Springs (or at least he did before the election). It changed the political climate 180 degrees. He’s also a Gator.

He still pulls out his MAGA hat a tad too often but as a native he values infrastructure.

 

The Deland station is just too far west IMO. the station is nice though...

[spenser1058]

Hyatt & Cici Brown give $25 million to expand ERAU’s research park:

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/business/2022/03/25/browns-give-25-m-expand-embry-riddle-research-park-daytona/7157529001/

From The News Journal 
 

[spenser1058]

Daytona Soccer Fest is coming to the Speedway July 2 and 3rd - I guess it’s DIS’ way to fill in for the loss of the Firecracker 400:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-daytona-beach-soccerfest-0318-20220317-rrvsgw6bqjgkfclw5b55mqutri-story.html

From The Sentinel 

No word so far if this will make a NASCAR fan of @dcluley98 …

 

On 3/25/2022 at 4:55 PM, jrs2 said:

The Deland station is just too far west IMO. the station is nice though...

Just think, though - if we want to we can extend SunRail to Palatka!

[jgardnerucf]

34 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

SunRail to Palatka!

"I ain't ridin' no got damn train! Tell you what. Shoot."