CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
DAYTONA BEACH IS TURNING 150 NEXT YEAR THE SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE WILL BE RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT 2026
THE CELEBRATION WILL INCLUDE: A Weekend Festival in July 2026 Live music, food vendors, fireworks and family-friendly activities. Sesquicentennial-Themed Events All Year Special branding at city events like the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge, Easter Beach Run and Christmas Parade. A Digital Timeline and Virtual Tours Using AI and augmented reality, we’ll bring Daytona Beach’s history to life in exciting new ways. Community Giveaways & Contests Special raffles, 150th-anniversary menu items and
Get ready, Daytona Beach! Our city is about to hit a major milestone—its sesquicentennial or 150th year as an incorporated city! In 2026, we’re throwing a year-long sesquicentennial celebration to honor our rich history, vibrant culture and the amazing people who make our city great. Founded in 1870 by Mathis D. Day, Daytona Beach incorporated on July 26, 1926, merging with Daytona and Seabreeze. Now, 150 years later, we’re reflecting on how far we’ve come and celebrating what makes Daytona Beach legendary. A committee of representatives from several city departments started meeting last October to plan the festivities. The city team will spearhead themed community events and extend the sesquicentennial theme in already established annual events such as the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge, Crab & Seafood Festival, Easter Beach Run and Christmas Parade. A social media campaign using #DB150 and #150WorldFamousDB will be used to promote the milestone anniversary. A newly created nine-member Sesquicentennial Ambassador Committee, appointed by the City Commission, will help shape the festivities alongside community partners. Zone 1 City Commissioner Monica Paris was nominated by her colleagues to serve on the planning committee.
exclusive Daytona Beach merchandise. Dedicated Sesquicentennial Website
Set to launch by the end of 2025, packed with event details, branded swag, history highlights and ways to engage with the celebration.
City of Daytona Beach www.DaytonaBeach.gov 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach
DAYTONA BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HOSTS SUCCESSFUL TRIENNIAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE EXERCISE On Thursday, March 13, Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) successfully conducted its full-scale emergency response exercise, part of the FAA’s triennial requirement. The drill tested the airport’s ability to respond to a disaster, bringing together over 200 participants from more than 25 local, state and federal agencies. The exercise simulated a large-scale aircraft incident, with volunteers from the University of Central Florida Nursing Program and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University acting as “victims.” This realistic scenario allowed responders to practice coordinated actions in a high-pressure environment. The City of Daytona Beach’s Emergency Management team worked alongside airport staff and County Emergency Management inside the Operations Center to coordinate efforts. Daytona Beach Fire Department personnel and city communication coordinators participated in the exercise. The training provided valuable insights into improving our community’s emergency preparedness and reinforced Daytona Beach International Airport’s readiness for future emergencies.
DAYTONA BEACH POLICE CAPTAIN GRADUATES FROM FBI ACADEMY
Last week, Captain Jeremy Nikolow graduated from the 293 rd session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He joined the class of 244 law enforcement officers, which included members of policing agencies from 24 countries, 11 military organizations and four federal civilian organizations. Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership and fitness training. Captain Nikolow is a 19-year veteran of the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) and currently oversees the Patrol Division in District 2 and is responsible for the SWAT and Hostage Negotiation teams and Marine Unit. He is the fifth member of DBPD to graduate from the academy. Please join us as we congratulate Captain Nikolow for this impressive achievement!
MAYOR HENRY SPEAKS AT CHAMBER EVENT Mayor Derrick L. Henry was this month’s guest speaker at the Daytona Regional Chamber’s monthly Eggs & Issues breakfast. He discussed the city’s recent accomplishments and provided insight into future projects and current challenges, such as flooding, traffic, affordable housing and homelessness.
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IN THE WORKS
DERBYSHIRE SIDEWALKS Vine Street will soon have a six-foot-wide sidewalk on the stretch from Mason Avenue to Sixth Street. Sidewalks have already been installed on Third, Fourth and Fifth streets west of Derbyshire Road. Next, crews will install sidewalks on Vine Street from Fourth to Sixth Street and on Sixth Street from Vine Street to Derbyshire Road. DAYTONA BEACH PIER IMPROVEMENTS With summer around the corner, plywood is being replaced on the east portion of the pier damaged from Hurricane Milton. Depending on the weather and tides, work is expected to be finished this week. Crews are adding new decking to the pier when needed. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS All five electric vehicle charging stations have been installed and are operational. Breakers Oceanfront Park was the last location to be added. The new Level 2 EV charging stations are at City Hall, Cherry Cultural & Educational Center, Florida Tennis Center, Magnolia Avenue and Beach Street and Breakers Oceanfront Park. CITY STREET SURVEY GOES HIGH-TECH Daytona Beach is using advanced technology to assess its residential streets. Starting next week, Transmap, a road and sidewalk evaluation company, will conduct a citywide survey to inspect, document and rate pavement conditions. Using 360-degree cameras and GPS, Transmap will capture a visual record of city streets, grading each on a scale from 0 (failed) to 100 (excellent). The survey will also include sidewalks and pavement markings. The last assessment was in 2020, and best practices recommend inspections every 3-5 years. Data collection will take about two weeks, with a final report, including web images and interactive maps, available by June. This data will be integrated into the city’s new OpenGov-Cartegraph software to streamline maintenance and future road projects.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT COMPLETE
City of Daytona Beach | www.DaytonaBeach.gov | 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach
UPCOMING EVENTS
FREE TO ATTEND UPCOMING EVENT
CRAB & SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Details: Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Charles Street DaytonaBeach.gov/SeafoodFestival
There will be tasty food, vendors, live music and a kids zone at Daisy Stocking Park. That’s not all, LA Robinson & The Streetlife Band will be live in concert in Daisy Stocking Park at 7 p.m. Come on out and have a great time rain or shine! Presented by Zone 6 Commissioner Paula R. Reed & Divine Designs
35TH ANNUAL SPRING TURKEY RUN CAR SHOW, VENDORS, FOOD Details:
VETERANS STAND DOWN Details: March 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ocean Center Daytona Beach
March 21 to 23 Turkeyrun.com TICKETS REQUIRED
ISLAND FEST DAYTONA BEACH Details: Saturday, March 29
from 1 to 9 p.m. Manatee Island TICKETS REQUIRED
FREE TO ATTEND MIDTOWN MUSIC CONCERT THE GROOV SMOOTH JAZZ Details: March 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. Daisy Stocking Park DaytonaBeach.gov/MidtownMusic
EASTER BEACH RUN 2025 Details: April 19 Oceanfront Bandshell DaytonaBeach.gov/EasterBeachRun DISCOUNT ENDS SUNDAY, MARCH 23
City of Daytona Beach | www.DaytonaBeach.gov | 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach
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