Flagler Avenue Boardwalk ribbon cutting June 29
Officials are preparing to cut the ribbon on a beachfront parking lot at one of the most popular beach access ramps in Volusia County. New Smyrna Beach and Volusia County officials will attend the public ceremony at 8:30 a.m., Friday, June 29, at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in the 100 block of Flagler Avenue, in the NSB Waterfront LOOP. The project was initiated in October 2011 and includes the repair of an existing seawall and pavilion, a brick courtyard with new stainless steel railing, construction of a new restroom building and showers, and parking lot enhancements.

Landscaping, an irrigation system, and sea turtle-compliant lighting also were installed. The total estimated cost including design and construction is $1.3 million and is funded jointly by the County of Volusia and the City of New Smyrna Beach through the City's CRA. The vast majority of companies associated with the project are from Volusia County.

Proposals due July 18 for waterfront parcel
Businesses and developers interested in leasing and developing a five-acre riverfront parcel in the NSB Waterfront LOOP are encouraged to submit proposals to the City of New Smyrna Beach. The parcel at 160 N. Causeway offers dockage, which is limited in the city. This property is the former site of the Marine Discovery Center, which has moved to Barracuda Blvd. The deadline for submission of proposals is 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 18. For more information, please see the Request for Proposals and addenda on demandstar.com or call Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Director Tony Otte at 386.424.2265.

Coming soon: Wine and coffee bar inside the Hub
A wine and coffee bar soon will join the crowd at The HUB in the Canal Street Historic District. The CRA Board has approved a matching $21,600 grant to incentivize renovations on the northwest corner of the building. The owners of Corks on Canal will use the funds to create outdoor seating and install doors, replace windows, and build a counter and an area for food preparation. When it opens this fall, the business will offer wine, coffee, craft beers, tapas, and healthy snacks to customers entering from Canal Street, HUB visitors, and people attending Historic District events. 

Bringing visitors to the commercial areas of the CRA , also known as the NSBWaterfront Loop, is one of the key themes in the CRA Master Plan Update, which can be viewed on the City's website at cityofnsb.com.

Small-scale grant for 208 Palmetto
A former rooming house soon will be converted back into a single family home. The homeowner has received approval for a small-scale, no-match grant of $2,500 to replace two windows, exterior clapboard, drywall and a wood railing as part of the renovation project. The two-story wood frame building has more than 4,000 square feet and had been used as a nursing home in years past. Most recently, the building was used as a rooming house with five kitchens, six bathrooms, and 11 bedrooms. The owner is in the process of returning the building to its original use as a single family home, which provides a more stabile resident base for area merchants.

Christmas in July
With temperatures hovering 90 degrees, locals may cool off mentally with holiday festivities -- summer style. The Canal Street merchants will host a Christmas in July event from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday, July 7, in the Canal Street Historic District. Santa Claus and his elf will greet visitors in Christmas Park on the corner of Canal and Live Oak streets. A photographer will take free family photos with Santa in his tropical summer wear. Additional festivities will include a bed race against Santa and his crew, Christmas cookie decorating, a sidewalk sale, a window decorating contest, a scavenger hunt, and an ice cream social. A complete schedule of events is online at www.nsbwaterfrontloop.com/events or call the New Smyrna Beach Recreation Department at 386.424.2175.