CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
Rodrick & Chassira Johnson
Dawn Crichlow and daughter
FROM SOMEDAY TO SOLD: HELPING RESIDENTS BECOME HOMEOWNERS For many people, buying a home is more than a milestone. It represents stability, opportunity and the pride that comes with building a future in their community. In 2025, 19 individuals and families became first-time homeowners with help from the City of Daytona Beach’s Down Payment Assistance Program, turning their dream of owning a home into a reality. The program is funded through State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds, which are provided to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The city partners with Homes Bring Hope and Habitat for Humanity to provide suitable housing for qualified buyers. Through the city’s Redevelopment and Neighborhood Services department, eligible low-income homebuyers can receive financial assistance to help cover down payments and closing costs, helping remove some of the biggest barriers to purchasing a home. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • Up to $50,000 in assistance • Income-based eligibility • Limited availability Residents interested in applying are encouraged to start by contacting one of the city’s partner agencies:
• Mid-Florida Housing | 386-274-4441 • Central Florida Community Development Corporation | 386-226-1216 • Habitat for Humanity of Volusia and Flagler County | 386-257-9950
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact the City of Daytona Beach Redevelopment and Neighborhood Services Department at (386) 671-8050.
T
City of Daytona Beach www.DaytonaBeach.gov 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach
T
COMMUNITY MEETING SET TO DISCUSS MOBILE FOOD VENDOR ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
UPDATED HOURS!
DAISY STOCKING PARK PROGRAMMING
The city is hosting a community meeting to discuss a proposed update to Chapter 103 (Mobile Food Vendors) of the c ity’s Code of Ordinances. The public meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, in room 149 at City Hall, 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach. City staff is proposing an amendment that would allow certain modifications to these standards when approved by the City Commission as part of a Semi-Public Use Permit, Public Use Permit or Planned Development Rezoning. Written comments or questions may also be submitted in advance by emailing ContactPlanning@DaytonaBeach.gov or by mail to the City of Daytona Beach Planning Division, 301 S. Ridgewood Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. Please include your name, address and contact information.
Daisy Stocking Park, 555 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd., continues to serve as a hub for entertainment and community gatherings in Midtown. The renovated park features a playground, walking areas, pavilions , open green space and an amphitheater . Midtown Sundayz takes place the second Sunday of each month from 3 to 8 p.m., featuring live DJ entertainment, food for purchase and activities for all ages. Upcoming dates: Feb. 8, March 8, April 12, May 10 and June 14. The Midtown Music Concert Series returns next month, bringing jazz, R&B, blues, soul and funk to the park’s amphitheater. Concerts are held on the last Saturday of the month at 7 p.m. and are free to attend. Line dancing begins at 6:30 p.m. before each show.
Beginning this Sunday, Jan. 25, park hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Sunday.
DAYTONA BEACH
N
DAYTONA BEACH HONORS 2025 CYBERSECURITY HEROES
The city’s average phish-prone percentage was 3.1%, outperforming the industry benchmark of 4.4%. Hossam Reziqa, Chief Information Officer, commended employees for their continued vigilance and commitment to cybersecurity, noting that proactive reporting and training play a critical role in safeguarding city operations and information systems.
The City of Daytona Beach recognized its 2025 Cybersecurity Heroes during a ceremony held Friday, Jan. 16, honoring employees for their efforts to protect city systems and data. A total of 53 awards were presented, recognizing excellence in areas including best phishing email submission, intercepting potential threats and completing all mandatory and optional cybersecurity training.
CCi tiyt yoof fDDaayyt ot onnaaBBeeaacchh || wwwwww. D. Daayyt ot onnaaBBeeaacchh. g. goovv || 330011SS. .RRi di dggeewwooooddAAvvee. ,. ,DDaayyt ot onnaaBBeeaacchh
IN THE WORKS
BEVILLE ROAD LIGHTS Project Value: $324,505 (funded by FDOT)
Nighttime visibility on Beville Road, from Williamson Boulevard to Clyde Morris Boulevard, has been significantly improved with the installation of 134 new poles and energy-efficient LED lights. The $324,505 project was fully funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. This important safety upgrade was strongly supported by City Commissioner Stacy Cantu and County Councilman Matt Reinhart, who advocated for the project and helped secure full FDOT funding.
COMPLETE
SICKLER PARK Project Status: Nearing Completion
Restoration work at Sickler Park, located under the Seabreeze Bridge, is progressing on schedule. Crews are rebuilding the 102-foot concrete seat wall and enhancing the surrounding area with new grading, sod and erosion protection. The project also includes new structural supports and the installation of a handrail along the seawall to improve safety and accessibility. Restoration of five undermined parking spaces is scheduled as the next phase of work. The park remains temporarily closed during construction, and the city appreciates the community’s patience as this important restoration work continues. BOARDWALK ACCESS STAIRS AND RAMP REPAIRS Project Status: Work started June 2025; completion estimated Spring 2026 Project Value: Engineering $86,264 Construction $1,451,378 Work on the Boardwalk beach access stairs is progressing, with construction beginning at the north end near the Daytona Beach Bandshell and continuing southward. The project includes four parallel ramps and 14 sets of stairs designed to enhance public beach access. Pile installations for the replacement stairs have been completed, and construction on ramps 1, 2 and 3 is underway. The state has authorized construction during turtle nesting season, and the city is coordinating closely with Volusia County to ensure full compliance with all environmental regulations. In addition, the city has received the required Volusia County Beach and Dune Permit for seawall work at Breakers Park.
NEARING COMPLETION
IN PROGRESS
CCi tiyt yoof fDDaayyt ot onnaaBBeeaacchh || wwwwww. D. Daayyt ot onnaaBBeeaacchh. g. goovv || 330011SS. .RRi di dggeewwooooddAAvvee. ,. ,DDaayyt ot onnaaBBeeaacchh
T
T
Celebrate our history
Daytona Beach’s reputation as a global center for speed began in January 1904, when William K. Vanderbilt Jr. set an unofficial land speed record on the city’s hard-packed sand. Driving a 90-horsepower Mercedes racer, he averaged 92.307 mph over the measured mile, surpassing Henry Ford’s earlier mark. The city’s 23-mile beach course soon attracted the world’s fastest drivers. In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the “Lightning Benz” to speeds exceeding 131 mph, followed by Sir Henry Segrave’s record- setting 203.79 mph run in 1927. The era peaked in 1935 when Sir Malcolm Campbell averaged 276.82 mph, setting a new world land speed record at Daytona Beach.
As the sesquicentennial celebration continues, the citywide #DB150 pole banner campaign has brought the anniversary to neighborhoods across the community, with banners installed along A1A, International Speedway Blvd., Beach St. and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. In the months ahead, the city will spotlight local businesses through digital features and newsletter stories highlighting historic photography and community impact. Residents and visitors are encouraged to follow the city on social media, visit DB150.com , and share memories using #DB150 and #150WorldFamousDB .
// Photography courtesy of Florida Memory, State Library and Archives of Florida.
Sir Malcolm Campbell - Bluebird 1935
Sr. Henry Segrave Sunbeam 1927
William K. Vanderbilt Circa 190 0
Barney Oldfield 1910
REGISTRATION OPEN CITIZENS ACADEMY First class March 19 Ten-week Program DaytonaBeach.gov/ CitizensAcademy
TICKETS REQUIRED F.R.E.S.H. BOOK FILM FESTIVAL Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. BCU Performing Arts Center , 698 W. ISB. Blvd. FreshBookFestivals.net
FREE TO ATTEND MIDTOWN SUNDAYZ Feb. 8 from 3 to 8 p.m. Daisy Stocking Park, 555 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
FREE TO ATTEND MIDTOWN MUSIC CONCERT SERIES Starting Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Daisy Stocking Park, 555 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
City of Daytona Beach | www.DaytonaBeach.gov | 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Powered by FlippingBook