- April 25, 2024
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The historic MacDonald House will be studied to determine its fate.
Residents have a chance to help shape the economic development future of Ormond Beach at an upcoming workshop.
A Strategic Economic Plan Workshop is set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27, in the Blue Room at the Performing Arts Center. The public will be asked for input on goals, issues and objectives for a three-year plan that will be proactive in retaining current businesses, helping businesses expand and attracting new business. Population demographics and economic data will be used to help create the plan.
Those interested should RSVP by Aug. 19 to Economic Director Joe Mannarino at 676-3266 or [email protected].
There’s also a retail component, with the workshop helping to decide what type of retail establishments should be targeted. Past forums have used studies showing “retail gaps” that show what retail needs are underserved.
An economic plan is a process to bring wealth and prosperity into an area by increasing employment and income. The city’s economic development department, led by Mannarino, will be responsible for implementing the plan once it is developed.
The city has revised the economic plan periodically since 2006, and this one will be for the next three years.
The previous economic development plan, which also had public input, identified target industries as medical product manufacturers, aviation, manufacturers, customer service, research and a large hotel to boost the hospitality industry.
Objectives developed in the previous plan also included taking a look at local business regulations, coordinating with regional development efforts, developing an arts district and enhancing the downtown central business district, as a means for “anchoring the city, expanding the community’s sense of place and attracting visitors.”
In recent years, the city’s tax base has been heavily dependent upon residential development. There was little undeveloped commercial/industrial land in the city until Ormond Crossings, a planned development that holds a promise of 1,449 acres of potential development. Located at the intersection of North U.S. 1 and Interstate 95, it’s owned by Tomoka Holdings.
The city has renewed a contract for services with the Ormond MainStreet for $60,000 for the fiscal year 2016-17, the same amount as last year.
The organization advertises and promotes the downtown, which is considered Granada Boulevard and adjacent streets, provides four marketing grants of $500 each to businesses and conducts community events such as Riverfest and Granada Grand Festival of the Arts.
The scope of the city’s historic structures report has been narrowed to only the MacDonald House, 38 E. Granada Blvd. The historic preservation plan developed last year called for the study of three historic properties, the MacDonald House, the Fire House, 160 E. Granada Blvd., and the Ames House, 173 S. Beach St.
City Commission voted on Aug. 3 to remove the Fire House, because it has been sold to a private party, and the Ames House, because a number of improvements have been made there, according to a city report.
The lone subject of the historic structure report will now be the MacDonald House by Bender & Associates at a cost of $53,900.
The report will provide the “necessary information to make informed decisions regarding the MacDonald House,” according to the city report. Some have called for the house to be converted to a museum for the city while others have stated that restoration would not be feasible and it should be demolished.
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Join the Discussion
The public is invited to a Strategic Economic Plan Workshop from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Performing Arts Center. RSVP by Aug. 19 to 676-3266 or [email protected].
