CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
ART INITIATIVE HONORS ICONS WHO PAVED THE WAY
A community-driven project has begun in Historic Midtown which celebrates local pioneers, history, culture and neighborhood pride. The initiative, Midtown’s Historic Icons Pave the Way, honors nearly 100 local icons whose contributions helped shape Midtown and the city as a whole. The project, produced in partnership with the Daytona Beach Housing Authority, will create a welcoming gateway connection between Dr. James Huger Park at the John H. Dickerson Community Center and the adjacent Palmetto Park housing community. Opened in 1975, the John H. Dickerson Community Center has long served as a cornerstone for recreation, education and civic life and is a designated stop on the city’s Black Heritage Trail. Planned improvements include a pedestrian-focused intersection at Henry Butts Drive and Hawk Street, enhanced crosswalks and sidewalk artwork featuring portraits and names of historic athletic and community icons from the Palmetto Park and Caroline Village neighborhoods. Local artists with Art Army are leading the creation of sidewalk art and monument elements that will visually tell Midtown’s story and preserve its legacy for future generations. Many of the individuals being honored were previously featured on the city’s Black History Month banners along International Speedway Boulevard, and their stories reflect Midtown’s long-standing role as a center of Black culture, education and leadership. For decades, Dr. James Huger Park and the surrounding facilities have hosted youth programs, celebrations and community events that continue to strengthen neighborhood identity. Residents and stakeholders played a key role in shaping the project through community meetings, workshops and public input, ensuring the final design reflects neighborhood voices and values.
The community is invited to attend the project reveal on Saturday, March 14, at the John H. Dickerson Community Center, 308 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Project details available on DaytonaBeach.gov/IconsPavetheWay.
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City of Daytona Beach www.DaytonaBeach.gov 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach
SHARE YOUR OPINION ON VOLUSIA COUNTY’S BEACH RESILIENCY PLANNING Volusia County is seeking public input as it explores long-term strategies to strengthen dunes, preserve beach access and improve resilience to future ocean impacts and storm events through its Coastal Feasibility Study. Options under evaluation include beach nourishment, dune enhancements, structural modifications and nearshore reefs.
Residents are encouraged to take a short, five-question online survey to help the county understand which approaches best balance storm protection, beach access and natural beauty. The survey is expected to remain open through early 2026, and feedback will help guide the county’s next steps and long-term beach management planning. Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VolusiaCoastalSurvey2 Important notice: Any information submitted in the survey, including optional personal details, may be subject to public records disclosure under Florida law, and participation is voluntary.
DAYTONA BEACH RANKS NO. 9 AMONG U.S. GROWTH CITIES IN 2025, U-HAUL REPORTS Daytona Beach is ranked as the No. 9 growth city of 2025, according to the U-Haul® Growth Index, which analyzes one-way moving transactions from the past calendar year. The U-Haul Growth Index ranks cities based on the net gain (or loss) of do-it- yourself movers who rent a one-way truck, trailer or U-Box® container in one city and drop it off in another. The index is compiled from more than 2.5 million one-way U-Haul transactions annually across the U.S. and Canada. U-Haul leaders point to Daytona Beach’s mix of affordability, coastal lifestyle and job opportunities, including aviation and manufacturing, as key factors attracting new residents. Florida boasts 12 of the top 25 growth cities, including eight of the top 10. Ocala tops the rankings for the third time since 2022.
SAVE THE DATE: REGISTRATION OPENING SOON FOR 2026 DB UNIVERSITY CITIZENS ACADEMY
Why Participate: •
Learn directly from senior staff
• Take part in interactive activities and in-depth discussions • Connect with other engaged residents who care about Daytona Beach Details: Cost: Free (your time is the only commitment) Class size: Limited to 30 participants Application: Coming soon This is a great opportunity for both long-time residents and newcomers to better understand how we build a stronger Daytona Beach together.
Residents are invited to get an up-close and behind-the- scenes look at how the City of Daytona Beach operates during the next offering of Daytona Beach University Citizens Academy. Beginning Thursday, March 19, this engaging 10-week program offers hands-on, interactive sessions with the city departments that deliver the services the community relies on every day, from water and utilities to parks, planning, public safety and more.
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IN THE WORKS
MIDTOWN RECREATION COMPLEX PLAYGROUND Project Status: Nearing Completion | Project Value: $419,028 Installation of playground and fitness equipment at the Midtown Recreation Complex is nearing completion. Pour-in-place surfacing will be installed following curbing completion, with final project completion anticipated by the end of January. The project was approved by City Commission under Resolution 2025-100, with a total cost of $419,028. RIVERFRONT PARK DAY DOCK & MANATEE ISLAND FLOATING DOCK REPAIRS Project Status: Upcoming | Project Value: Estimated Construction $647,001 Repair work is underway at the Riverfront Park Day Docks and Manatee Island following damage caused by Hurricane Milton. All 10 Riverfront Park finger docks will be resecured using new support frames. Additional repairs at Riverfront Park include replacing five support piles, rebuilding eight pile guides, and replacing various dock components such as boards, protective bumpers and support hardware. Crews will also replace four dock lights and update electrical wiring and conduit. Manatee Island repairs will include replacing one support pile, repairing damaged pile guides and installing a new gangway connecting the dock to the boardwalk. Additional work includes concrete repairs and replacing dock boards and bumpers. ORANGE AVENUE RECREATION CENTER DEMOLITION Project Status: Demolition Phase | Project Value: $100,000 (Budget) Demolition and environmental remediation at the Orange Avenue Recreation Center remain planned as cleanup of the site continues. Sample collections were conducted Nov. 10, and asbestos results received Nov. 18 confirmed the presence of asbestos. Utility disconnects were completed, and a mandatory 10-day waiting period was observed. The demolition permit has not yet been finalized. Demolition began in late December 2025.
NEARING COMPLETION
UPCOMING PROJECT
IN PROGRESS
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DAYTONA BEACH TURNS 150 YEARS, THIS YEAR!
The City of Daytona Beach has officially begun its Sesquicentennial celebration, marking 150 years since the city’s incorporation on July 26, 1876. Throughout 2026, the city will highlight the people, places and moments that have shaped Daytona Beach’s past while celebrating its future. The celebration is launching with a series of historical social media features and visible reminders throughout the city, including the installation of #DB150 banners displaying the official sesquicentennial seal. Early highlights include features on the Merchants Bank
building, home of the Halifax Historical Museum and Pinewood Cemetery, one of the city’s oldest historic sites. Additional landmarks, events and stories will be shared throughout the year. A dedicated Sesquicentennial website, DB150.com is now live and will continue to expand with historical content and upcoming events. Residents and visitors are encouraged to follow the city on social media and visit the website for updates and to participate in the celebration using #DB150 and #150WorldFamousDB.
FREE TO ATTEND THE MLK COMMUNITY HEALTH & RESOURCE FAIR
TICKETS REQUIRED F.R.E.S.H. BOOK
COMMUNITY THE MLK HEALTH 01.10.2026 |9 A.M. TO NOON
FILM FESTIVAL Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. BCU Performing Arts Center, 698 W. International Speedway Blvd. FreshBookFestivals.net
RESOURCE FAIR
Daisy Stocking Park 555 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
Jan. 10 at 9 a.m. Daisy Stocking Park, 555 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
Join us for a free health fair for the whole family to enjoy! Health vendors, food and activities for children!
Vendor spots are FREE but must be health-related or offer a free service to the community. Vendors are responsible for providing their own tent, table, chairs and any other equipment needed for their space. Contact Samantha Gottlieb with any questions or concerns (386) 671-5551 | GottliebSamantha@DaytonaBeach.gov DaytonaBeach.gov/MLKHealthMarketVendor
Organized by: The City of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and Commissioner Paula R. Reed
FREE TO ATTEND PINEWOOD
FREE TO ATTEND MIDTOWN SUNDAYZ Jan. 11 at 3 to 8 p.m. Daisy Stocking Park, 555 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
Thank you to our platinum sponsor, Progressive Medical Research.
The Volusia County School Board is not affiliated with this City of Daytona Beach Parks & Recreation program in any manner, nor do they endorse or assume any responsibility for any activities that occur in connection with it
CEMETERY CLEAN UP Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pinewood Cemetery, 301 Main St.
City of Daytona Beach | www.DaytonaBeach.gov | 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach
DAISY STOCKING PARK OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 555 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
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