Canal Street Center opens
A $1-million renovation project that has morphed the former Badcock furniture store building into a well-designed, multi-tenant venue in the heart of the Canal Street Historic District is welcoming its first tenant. The New Smyrna Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) played an integral role in the revitalization of this key commercial building on one of the busiest traffic corners in the city - U.S. 1 and Canal Street. Last year, the New Smyrna Beach City Commission approved a nearly $475,000 Opportunity Site grant to renovate the 15,500-square-foot building, which has been vacant for nearly seven years. The building's first new business is scheduled to open this week.

New building opens on Flagler 
The outline of a small, blighted block building barely can barely be detected in the center of a new, two-story office building at 402 Flagler Avenue. Home to Pat Collado Real Estate, the $433,794, two-story building is adjacent to an area of lush landscaping. The project received two property improvement grants from the CRA totaling $20,000.

Beachside B&B opens
A lot that once held a rundown vacant frame house now is home to a bright, new beachside bed and breakfast. The Inn on the Avenue, 309 Flagler Avenue, offers six guestrooms and a dining room equipped with griddles built into tables for guests who prefer to flip their own pancakes. The two-story, Florida-style Inn received a $75,000 Opportunity Site grant from the CRA. An open house is planned for 1-6 p.m., June 15.

Washington Street Streetscape Project nears completion
Construction continues on the newest streetscape project in New Smyrna Beach's Historic Westside Community. The Washington Street Streetscape project will enhance the roadway, pedestrian access, stormwater system, and lighting along a one-quarter mile roadway from Myrtle Avenue to U.S. 1. The nearly $1.4 million cost of the project is funded by the County of Volusia and the City of New Smyrna Beach through the City's Community Redevelopment Agency and includes design, construction within the Washington Street right of way and railway crossing improvements. The project is scheduled for completion in July.