'Babe' James Community Center

New Smyrna Beach will celebrate the reopening of the Alonzo"Babe" James Community Center with a public ribbon cutting ceremony from 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, at 201 N. Myrtle Avenue. The renovation project adds 1,646 square feet of space to create banquet seating for 250 people and a more secure entry. The center supports community service programs for young adults and seniors and assists in the economic development of the area by providing more space to cater larger events.

North Causeway improvements

(sample design)
A gateway to the beach, the North Causeway soon will get a new, bold look. The improvement project is out to bid and will include additional landscaping, new crosswalks, lighting and other features. A $500,000 Florida Department of Transportation grant and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds will cover project costs.

Third Avenue gateway
A gateway to the Third Avenue business district currently is out to bid. The gateway will provide signage and landscaping to designate arrival to the district. Construction could begin this summer.

Final property improvements grants
The 10 recipients of the final property improvement grants for the New Smyrna Beach CRA are finishing their projects. Prominent projects include the Ohm Bar building on Flagler Avenue and the gas station at Canal and Faulkner streets. After 30 years, the CRA expires this year with many significant projects accomplished including streetscapes of Flagler Avenue and portions of Canal Street, Washington Street, Mary Avenue, S. Orange Street, and S. Atlantic Avenue; the expansion of the Babe James Community Center, and many grants for private property owners that facilitated the revitalization of Flagler Avenue and Canal Street.

Tabby House development continues through the permitting process
A new residential development in the Canal Street Historic District continues to move though the permitting process. White Challis Redevelopment Company entered into a contract with the City last year to purchase 1.4 acres of property south of City Hall to build 17 townhomes. The final plat for the project has been approved. The developer is seeking other permits needed before closing on the property, which is scheduled for later this spring.

Creating the new US 1 CRA
In December, the Volusia County Council approved Resolution 2014-164 to delegate authority to the City of New Smyrna Beach for the creation of the U.S. 1 CRA. The City is now moving forward with the process of creating the U.S. 1 CRA per state law requirements. The US 1 CRA is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2015. For more information, please log on to www.cityofnsb.com/us1-cra.