Daytona Beach City Manager gives update on changes implemented since first walking tour

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In November, Daytona Beach City Manager Deric Feacher toured the city’s main corridors to see what changes and improvements could be made.

Following Feacher’s tour, the city waived permitting and inspection fees to encourage residents and businesses to fix up their properties.

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Feacher said the city would see maybe a dozen permits waiting to be processed, but since waiving the fees, the number of permits jumped to 84.

VIDEO: New Daytona Beach City Manager completes first walking tour, seeking community feedback

Karen Eager with the Midtown Cafe said she would like to see the city make zoning changes to allow businesses more flexibility.

“They did do the seafood festival. I think that was a city kind of partnership with someone else, but I think that was a good event. I think more like that would help let people know Midtown is open for businesses,” Eager said.

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During his tour, Feacher also heard from residents about the lack of affordable housing and shopping along Main Street, something Feacher says the city is working to address.

“The city is going after the Corbin building to create a food hall and grocery-type program in that area right off Main Street, and we are talking more to individuals who are investors in those properties because we want to activate the street year-round,” Feacher said.

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He said the city is considering a proposal to expand its master plan for future events like Bike Week, and allow businesses around Bethune Cookman University to have outdoor activities associated with the events.

VIDEO: New Daytona Beach City Manager completes first walking tour, seeking community feedback Daytona Beach's new City Manager walked the city's Midtown area Thursday, trying to get feedback on what's working, and what the city can do better. (Mike Springer, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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