- April 25, 2024
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Also: officials rule on Perrott site, electronic sign.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
A replica of the Stanley Steamer Rocket, one of the racecars that set records on Ormond Beach in the early 1900s, is going on display at the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee as part of an exhibit on the history of auto racing in Florida that will run from January to June.
The City Commission gave approval to make the loan at their Oct. 20 meeting.
Mayor Ed Kelley said it will give good publicity to the Birthplace of Speed.
“We all cherish that title,” he said.
Suzanne Heddy, director of the Ormond Beach Historical Society, said the museum is located behind the Capitol building and is one of the most prestigious museums in the state.
“Many people will see it,” she said.
The exhibit will include several racecars from throughout history, including one of Jeff Gordon’s cars from the NASCAR circuit.
The Rocket is currently located at Daytona International Speedway through an Artifacts Loan Agreement.
The replica was built by Morris Frost in the 1960s, according to city agenda documents. In 1996, the city agreed for it to be displayed at the Daytona USA facility at Daytona International Speedway. When the Rocket is returned, it will be on exhibit in the planned Motorsports Hall of Fame of America at the Speedway.
The state museum is insuring the Rocket, but if it is severely damaged, it cannot be replaced, because no one has the knowledge of the builder, according to documents. Frost, who based his designs on a conversation he had in the 1940s with driver/mechanic Fred Marriot, died in 1998.
Go-ahead given for Perrott site
In other action, the commission gave final approval to a land use change submitted by Andy Clark, president and CEO of All Aboard Storage, for the Perrott site just west of the railroad tracks on West Granada Boulevard.
Clark sought a change to “light industrial/utilities” to make it possible to convert the building to a storage facility.
He has said that he has a purchase agreement for the property contingent upon getting zones changes and permits needed. S.R. Perrott, a beverage distribution company, moved their operation out to a new facility on North U.S. 1 and has been seeking a buyer for the property on Granada Boulevard.
The Planning Board had recommended the change, saying that without bulldozing the buildings and building something new, it will be a good use for the site.
Changing sign gets first OK
A changeable electronic sign at Destination Daytona, visible from Interstate 95, got approval in a first reading by the City Commission, and another vote will be necessary.
Commissioner Troy Kent asked if other businesses could request a similar sign if it is approved.
Planning Director Rick Goss said that the wording is very specific to the site, and if another business wants an electronic changeable sign, they will have to get approval from the City Commission.
In order to prevent a “flashing” effect, the ordinance stated that the sign can only change every two minutes, but Commissioner James Stowers he said he believed that was “overkill.”
At freeway speeds, he said, a change every one minute would be appropriate. A person driving on the interstate might see it change once as they drive by.
A majority of commissioners agreed with Stowers and the requirement was changed to one minute intervals.
The only no vote on the sign approval came from Troy Kent.
