Daytona Beach could see hotels, boardwalk extension

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The intersection of Ocean Avenue and Main Street is the heart of historic Daytona Beach, and in the last decade or so, it has seen some major changes.

Much of it began with a renovation of the Daytona Beach Pier, adding a Joe's Crab Shack on top.  Then came a sling shot ride and new accommodations for visitors.

Still, one thing that has not changed is that the boardwalk ends just south of the pier. Many say the area still looks a little run-down and tattered.

"It's a pretty blighted area and this is the main place people stop when they're coming to visit the town," said resident Jim Christo. "They want to go to the restaurant. They wanna get on the pier."
    
Now, a piece of prime oceanfront real estate, at the Harvey Avenue beach approach could see some improvements.  An artist's rendering for some new hotels was filed in a January Daytona Beach City Council meeting agenda.     It shows a building with both Springhill Suites and a Courtyard by Marriott being developed by an Orlando-based company.

It would include hundreds of new rooms and documents appear to show a 15-foot wide, 270-foot extension of the boardwalk, which the developer would build.

"It's good for the community in that there'll be jobs to be able to build it, as well as jobs for people who work at the hotels," said resident Goldie Dorsey.

Progress in a spot that is changing, even if it is changing slowly.  The plans for the land are not a done deal. An attorney for the company developing it said negotiations are still ongoing with the city.