- January 14, 2025
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Ormond Beach developer Bill Jones is hoping to put art in the spotlight in the downtown.
On Thursday, Jan. 9, the Ormond Beach Planning Board recommended approval 6-0 for a special exception to add a lighted sculpture to the Art Spotlight gallery building at 67 W. Granada Blvd. Board Chair Doug Thomas was absent from the meeting.
Jones, who owns the building, is seeking to allow the addition of a 6-foot-tall and 17-foot-wide sculpture spelling the word "art" on the roofline of the gallery. The city categorized the sculpture as a sign, which would include light bulbs, similar to traditional theater marquee signs.
Jones said that the sign was more an art installation than an advertising sign; he described it as a three-dimensional art piece.
"It's kind of a style that's more reminiscent of something from the '30s, which is more contemporary with what's going on down there," Jones said. "Most of the buildings are either Turn of the Century like Rose Villa or Buschman Building 1925 and so on. We're trying to bring that back and make this building a little bit more aesthetically pleasing than just the way it looks right now."
The request for the special exception comes a month after the Ormond Beach City Commission unanimously approved murals for the Art Spotlight building. Jones said he has more plans to improve other buildings in the downtown, and seeks to make them all unique.
"We want each one of these buildings to be its own statement," Jones said.
A letter to Planning Director Steven Spraker from Ormond Beach MainStreet Director Becky Parker stated that the proposed signage had sparked "thoughtful discussion" in past meetings.
"While the majority has been enthusiastic about a new unique feature in the heart of our district, the group also discussed concerns regarding size, brightness and potential impact on the surrounding area," the letter stated. "... Ultimately, the majority of our board voted in favor of supporting the enhanced signage. We believe that its design aligns with our mission to foster creativity and bring attention to the arts within our community."
Board members were supportive of the proposal.
"It's a very simple, declarative statement with respect to the business that operates there, and I like that," Board member Al Jorczak said.
His only concern, he said, was the height of the proposed sign, and thought it would look better if it was a foot shorter.
Dorian Burt, who represents Jones' company Wivigeco, LLC, said the sign helps mark the beginning of the city's arts district.
"It's to welcome everybody to the arts district and what's happening in that section of the downtown," Burt said.
Board member GG Galloway said he was 100% behind the proposal, and that he hopes Jones and his team will continue to bring creative, unique additions to the downtown. Galloway served on the Ormond MainStreet Board many years ago, he said, adding that "Granada's finally becoming what we all had wanted it to become 25, 30 years ago."
"Now, when you drive off that bridge and you look down at Main Street, that's one of the most unique parts of any town in the state of Florida," Galloway said.
Board Vice Chair Angie Shull agreed — she only worried initially that the sign would be lit all night long, which Jones said would not take place.
She commended Jones on his work in the downtown, saying that funky downtown areas in small towns are growing in popularity, something she's seen while visiting family on the west coast.
"That's what we've always wanted here," Shull said. "I think you're trying very hard to do that."
