- February 5, 2025
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Ridgewood Avenue holds a lot of potential for Gina and Maurice Ragot.
The street is the hub of several improvements, and it promises high visibility for their business, A Classic Touch Painting, which currently is under review for the Ridgewood Corridor Targeted Business Program, Port Orange’s new incentive program for businesses.
Tim Burman, the city’s community development director, said the city wants to encourage redevelopment in the corridor by getting small and local businesses moved in without the high costs.
“The cost to redevelop a site and building can be very costly and could discourage investment,” he said. “From the smaller mom and pop and local target businesses perspectives, many of the required upgrades, such as paved parking, architecture enhancements and parking lot landscaping, are not directly related to the potential revenue a business can generate. There is a risk that these improvements may never get done, but the previous regulatory environment did not result in redevelopment along the Ridgewood Corridor.”
Businesses that would like to develop or move into the corridor would get expedited reviews for site plans or building permits.
The city also would waive site improvements, such as landscaping, parking or other facade improvements, and it would only require building and fire code improvements.
For the Ragots, any assistance is great assistance, and incentivizing small businesses will only help the local economy.
Their businesses, which offers painting, carpentry and other home improvement services, employs 22 people from the area, Gina said.
“Locally-owned businesses are better because you have everyone living and working here,” she said.
The program was established in December 2017, and is set to expire January 2021.
City Council will determine whether to expand, keep or cancel the program fall 2020, and there currently are no plans to expand or offer the program in other areas of the city.
The list of businesses was created based on discussions with City Council when the 2013 Ridgewood Corridor Plan was adopted and during a May workshop in 2017, Burman said.
The result included restaurants, professional offices and developments that connect Ridgewood Avenue to the riverfront, such as water-based business that rent kayaks, jet skis and paddle boards.
Others include eco-tourism businesses, grocery stores, craft food or beverage makers, microbreweries and other businesses supported by City Council.
Since the program was established, A Classic Touch and a proposed restaurant, called The Chicken Coop, have applied, Burman said.
In addition to helping businesses redevelop, the city also is in the next phase of the Riverwalk Project.
A 20-foot-wide multi-purpose trail will be constructed to Riverwalk Park.
The city expects construction for the trail to begin on Sept. 4 and will be completed in Spring 2019.
Associated improvements, such as landscaping, irrigation, utility and stormwater also will take place.
When construction begins, a portion of Halifax Drive from Ocean Avenue to the City’s Adult Annex building will be closed.
Also, the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Halifax Drive to 112 Ocean Avenue will be closed when construction begins.
