- January 27, 2025
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Ormond MainStreet sees potential in the former Ormond Beach Riverside Church building at 56 N. Beach St.
The city purchased the building for $729,000 in June 2018, and the property has remained vacant for almost three years since. At the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 20, Ormond MainStreet Executive Director Julia Truilo approached the commissioners with a proposal: Pause all demolition plans for six months to allow their organization to figure out a plan to preserve and develop the mid-century modern building. In the meantime, Truilo offered volunteers to clean up the site and asked the city to make minor repairs to dehumidify and make the building watertight.
“This commission has a rare opportunity to preserve a piece of Ormond Beach history, and provide something the public has asked for,” Truilo said.
The space could be a maker space, or entrepreneurial site, she suggested.
There has been a church on the corner of Beach Street and Lincoln Avenue since the founding of the city. John D. Rockefeller attended services in the previous Ormond Beach Union church building on the site.
Commissioner Dwight Selby, who serves as the city’s liaison on the MainStreet Board, said he recently completed a walkthrough of the building.
“Surprisingly, it’s in much better condition than I thought it was in,” he said.
Back in January 2020, commissioners Susan Persis, Troy Kent and Rob Littleton expressed a desire to tear down the building in favor of adding a parking lot, though a formal vote was never called.
Kent said he needed more information to consider MainStreet’s request, adding that he didn’t agree with spending money to place tarps on the church’s roof or replace carpets if the city plans to move forward with demolition.
The City Commission approved a rezoning request and development order for a new Ace Hardware store at 1480 N. U.S. 1 at its meeting on Tuesday, April 20.
The property was rezoned on first reading from B-7 (Highway Tourist Commercial) to a Planned Business Development. Once built, the 2.7 acre property will house a 16,853 square-foot building with a garden center.
The city is moving forward with its fireworks display for Independence Day, which were canceled in 2020.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan said at the recent commission meeting that, beyond the display, this year’s event will be “limited” compared to the past.
Demolition for the former Julian’s property at 88 S. Atlantic Boulevard began this week.
A gift shop will be constructed on the property.
As part of the city’s parks and recreation master plan update, residents may now take an online survey to provide input on facilities.
Want to take it? Visit surveymonkey.com/r/Parkslife
