Riverside Park Improvement Project complete
New Smyrna Beach and Volusia County elected officials and the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) cut the ceremonial ribbon October 29 on the Riverside Park seawall, pier and lighting improvement project. Project highlights include a 50-foot, accessible ADA-compliant floating dock and gangway, replacement of wooden deck boards with boards with easier-to-maintain decking, and replacement of nearly 900 feet of seawall cap while adding stability to the structure.

New sidewalks and lighting fixtures and dock handrails with fishing rod holders also have been installed. The total cost of the project, including design and construction, is nearly $1.2 million and is funded jointly by the County of Volusia and the City of New Smyrna Beach through the City's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and FIND.

Former Pennysaver building welcomes tenants
Construction at the former Pennysaver building on Canal Street nearly is complete. Retail tenants are moving in and are expected to open for business in November. Canal Street Historic District visitors also will notice the site's construction fence has been removed and tropical landscaping has been installed. A hospitality corner is in progress, according to the building's owner. For this project, the CRA has approved an Opportunity Site Grant for $400,000.

LOOP hosts redevelopment tour
More than 40 government officials from around the state toured the NSB Waterfront LOOP this month. The tour was part of the Florida Redevelopment Association annual conference. New Smyrna Beach highlighted several CRA projects as they rode around the LOOP beginning on Third Avenue. While visiting the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk, attendees had keepsake "I did the LOOP!" photographs taken and also learned about the soon-to-open Hampton Inn.

Participants visited The Hub, a project funded through a CRA rental assistance program. The group also spent time in a business on Canal Street and heard about the effect of CRA efforts in the historic district. The tour concluded with a drive through the Historic Westside Community to view completed and planned projects. Throughout their three hours in the LOOP, participants also heard how the LOOP's marketing initiative ties together the CRA's character districts.

Esther St Park Improvements Project
Work on Esther Street Beachfront Park is in the final months of construction. This final phase began in July 2012 and includes two separate elements. Drainage upgrades for the site and the adjoining drainage basin area will reduce flooding in the North Atlantic Avenue area. Park amenities will include off-beach parking, a playground, walking trails, pavilions, restroom facilities and a volleyball area. Previously, the seawall was reconstructed, and a wooden dune walkover was built. This project is expected to be completed in January.

Washington Street Streetscape Project
Bids have been received for the Washington Street Streetscape project. This project includes complete reconstruction of the stormwater system, complete reconstruction of the roadway with new curb, five-foot sidewalks on both sides of the street from Myrtle Ave to U.S. 1, improvements through the Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) right-of-way, landscaping and irrigation, and decorative streetlights. Construction is expected to be complete by June 2013.

Corrected funding sources for the historic Chamber of Commerce Renovation Project
The Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce has returned to its historic home at 115 Canal Street. The circa 1933 structure originally was built using federal funds. Both phases of the two-year renovation project were designed to reflect the building's original the construction and were funded by a Volusia County ECHO Grant and by the County of Volusia and the City of New Smyrna Beach through the City's Community Redevelopment Agency.

The cost to restore the exterior was less than $367,000. The second phase included restoration of the restrooms, the board room, the vestibule, office and refinishing the second story wood flooring. The cost of the interior renovation was just over $96,000. The Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce also contributed $20,000 and more than 200 volunteer hours for various interior needs.