New traffic-free zone on the beach
The "new Daytona Beach" fact sheet
Some $200 million in redevelopment in the core tourism district of the beachside is changing the face of the World’s Most Famous Beach. A traffic-free beach zone stretching one mile north from U.S. 92 creates a new, family-friendly recreation area in front of the Boardwalk and Bandshell area.
"This is a true public-private partnership," said Volusia County Council Chair Jim Ward. "Many people, both public and private, have worked together to improve this part of Daytona Beach."
The new Daytona Beach is all about change.
"The new Daytona Beach is emerging," said George Mirabal, President of The Chamber: Daytona Beach and Halifax Area. "It’s exciting to see all the positive changes taking place."
Among the biggest changes greeting beach visitors is the new, vehicle-free section of the beach. As a catalyst to spur the Ocean Walk Village projects, the Volusia County Council in 1996 agreed to create a vehicle-free beach. This mile-long, family-friendly area is from International Speedway Boulevard (U.S. 92), north to Seabreeze Boulevard (S.R. 430).
Motorists entering the beach at the International Speedway Boulevard approach must go south while motorists entering the beach at Seabreeze must go north. Traffic can exit the beach at both points. County Beach Services will maintain an emergency traffic lane within the vehicle-free zone.
"There’s little doubt this part of the beach will have the greatest appeal to families," said the Volusia County Council’s senior member, Patricia Northey. "At the same time, other parts of our beaches are still open to vehicles so we can retain our unique tradition of beach driving."
The City of Daytona Beach has made a series of off-street parking changes to coincide with the opening of the Ocean Center parking garage. These parking changes include metered parking along side streets and in public lots in the Main Street area.
The multi-faceted Ocean Walk Village headlines the resurgence of the beachside in the famed Boardwalk-Bandshell area. Ocean Walk Village consists of several projects – some completed, some under construction and some on the drawing board.
Approximately 1,000 first-quality oceanfront rooms with more than 110,000 square feet of meeting space, entertainment venues, night life and shopping are coming out of the ground with the construction of the Ocean Walk Resort, the expansion of the adjacent Adam’s Mark Hotel and the planned expansion of the Ocean Center. The Ocean Walk Resort and the Adam’s Mark projects are under way and expected to be completed in 2001.
The Ocean Center parking garage, scheduled to open March 1, is a public-private venture. The garage and Ocean Center parking are now managed by Central Parking Systems. Parking in the garage will cost $1 per half hour with a maximum of $5 a day.
VOTRAN will occupy the first floor of the parking garage when its Intermodal Center opens later this year. A pedestrian overpass from the garage to the Ocean Walk Resort is scheduled to open in 2001.
Adjacent to the Ocean Center parking garage on Earl Street, Daytona Beach’s premier family entertainment center and waterpark – Adventure Landing – is celebrating its second year in Daytona Beach.
A piece of Ocean Walk Village that’s on the drawing board is the expansion of the County’s Ocean Center. County officials are laying the groundwork for additional meeting, exhibit and convention space.
Ocean Center Director Rick Hamilton said Daytona Beach is poised to become a primary convention destination. "With additional oceanfront accommodations, more entertainment and shopping, our convention business is going to grow substantially," he predicted.
In addition, the City of Daytona Beach is renovating the Bandshell and a streetscape in the area is planned.
The County is making a concerted effort to provide information to the public about the beach changes. County officials are making presentations to groups and organizations as part of a multi-dimensional information campaign.
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