Across Florida, vibrant waterfront communities take advantage of a direct connection to the rivers and streams that define them. By the end of the year, the Beach Street area could be seeing those benefits as well.
Last week, the Daytona Beach City Commission approved the construction of a new dock and 18 boat slips, nestled just north of the International Speedway Bridge. The facility should be open by the end of the year.
It’s the perfect location. The so-called “day docks” will be available for public use, creating a river approach to the central point of the Beach Street shopping and dining district and Riverfront Park. Constructing them won’t disturb any environmentally sensitive areas (though the docks will feature cautionary signage and idle-speed zones to protect manatees), and will let boaters walk to shows at The News-Journal Center, or link up with amenities in Riverfront Park including the Sweetheart Trail with its distinctive sail-shaped shades. (In other good news, the commission approved a contract to extend that trail south to Bellevue Avenue.) Even better, much of the docks’ $595,000 cost will be covered by a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District.
(READ: New docks planned for downtown section of Daytona riverfront)
The city’s facing a tough battle to reclaim Riverfront Park — and getting blowback for controversial decisions including removing park benches and closing pavilions where homeless people congregate. But the docks, the trail and other amenities could go a long way to encouraging tourists and locals to re-discover everything the Beach Street district has to offer.