CITY WATCH

Ormond Beach awards contract for Downtown Public Art Master Plan

Also in City Watch: Developer of Ormond Crossings aims to submit a site plan in July for the subdivision's first phase.


This mural in the downtown — created by artist Thays França — was painted at Ormond Garage in 2020. It was the first in the city’s public art initiative. File photo by Jarleene Almenas
This mural in the downtown — created by artist Thays França — was painted at Ormond Garage in 2020. It was the first in the city’s public art initiative. File photo by Jarleene Almenas
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A Downtown Public Art Master Plan is in the works.

The Ormond Beach City Commission awarded the $80,000 project to Designing Local, a company based in Columbus, Ohio, at its meeting on May 21. The company was one of three who submitted a proposal to the city, and was recommended for the project by a staff evaluation team of composed of the Leisure Services, Planning and Economic Development departments, according to a city staff report. 

 The Downtown Public Art Master Plan is aimed at giving the city an action plan for types of public art, as well as a five-year work plan, the report states. This includes identifying opportunities and venues for public art, typical project costs, funding options, maintenance costs, a permitting summary and a process for public input.

“As the first arts Public Art Master Plan for the city, we are excited to explore Ormond Beach’s creative assets and develop suitable and realistic goals and objectives, policies and procedures, financial strategies, and deliver a plan that will encourage and tailor installations and programs to the needs of current and prospective visitors, residents, and business owners,” representatives with Designing Local wrote in their letter of interest to the city regarding the project.

The city created its mural program in 2019, with the first mural being installed at Ormond Garage, located at 48 W. Granada Blvd. 

The second mural in the program was recently completed at Fern and Fable, located at 51 W. Granada Blvd.

According to its proposal, Designing Local has completed master plans for communities across the U.S. In Florida, the company has worked with the cities of Clearwater, Hiawassee, Mount Dora, Pinellas Park and Port St. Lucie.

Ormond opens applications for banner program

The city’s applications for its 2024 Hometown Heroes banner program. 

The banner program honors Ormond Beach residents and family members who are in active military service, have been honorably discharged, or died in the line of duty. The city places their photo on a banner, to be displayed on the Granada Bridge for the month of November.  Honorees also receive a replica keepsake for themselves or their family.

This is a free program, but space is limited to 96 honorees. The deadline to apply is Aug. 31.

Visit ormondbeach.org/925/Hometown-Heroes.

Ormond Crossings takes step forward

Meritage Homes and the developer of Ormond Crossings are aiming to submit a site plan for the first phase of the 2,550-home subdivision in July.

Representatives with Meritage Homes met with the Ormond Beach Site Plan Review Committee on Wednesday, May 22, to discuss the project. Phase 1 will include 444 single-family homes, composed of 40-, 50- and 60-foot lots, as discussed with the SPRC. 

The land for Ormond Crossings was annexed by the city in 2004. At the time, the plannned community was approved to have a business park, town center and 2,950 units, which is about 400 more than the developer is proposing today. 

It will be located next to the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, along the east and west sides of I-95 and south of U.S. 1. 

County Council funds water safety programs

The Volusia County Council allocated $73,409 to water safety programs at its meeting on May 21.

The Volusia Flagler Family YMCA and the Daytona Beach Parks and Recreation Department will each receive $20,000 to provide free, or reduced-rate, swim lessons to income-eligible children this summer, a county press release announced. 

The program was spearheaded by Councilman Danny Robins.

What will happen with the remaining $33,409? Volusia County’s Community Assistance Division will purchase 350 four-pack door and window alarms and 150 pool alarms that detect when someone falls into a body of water. One of each will be available per household, and they will be available for free beginning in June at the county libraries in Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, DeLand, and Deltona. 

“I’m really excited about this,” Volusia County Councilman Troy Kent said at the meeting. “It’s the right thing to do, and I recommend that all parents get their children swim lessons.”

 

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