DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Daytona Beach Extended Stay hotel was demolished Tuesday as part of the One Daytona project.
The Daytona International Speedway's parent company cleared the hotel to make room for a shopping center and entertainment development on Bill France Boulevard.
Police said the demolition brings new economic development as well as an end to a well-known haven for crime.
"Since 2012, we've been to this place over 1,000 times. Prostitution, wanted individuals, meth labs, we talked about wanted people -- you name it," Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood said.
The newly cleared area will make way for one of the main entrances to One Daytona.
The company announced a similar project in 2008. After a recession and more than $40 million in local tax incentives, work is finally underway on the project. The project already includes a theater and an outdoor sports retailer, with hotels, apartments and restaurants on the way.
"The rest of the work here will commence in about the July time frame, with the total opening of everything sometime in the fall of 2017," Craig Neeb of the International Speedway Corp. said.
One Daytona's website said it will have 300,000 square feet of "investment," including 376 apartments. Company leaders said it's a positive change for both tourists and locals.
"It's going to be a complete lifestyle property. Shop, live, play (and) have fun. It's going to be a great thing for our community," Neeb said.
In addition to One Daytona, work is underway on a new outlet mall along Interstate 95 near LPGA Boulevard, which received millions in local tax incentives. Leaders said they hope to get that money back in revenue.
Cox Media Group
