New Smyrna Beach to discuss hotel proposal for Flagler Avenue

Flagler Avenue has long been a core business district for residents and beachgoers alike, with its row of restaurants, bars, surf shops and quaint boutiques.

[Dave]

The only person they quote against it doesn't live there. It'll fit in fine.

[ClamBob]

I'm confused. They didn't quote ANYONE who lives here. How does that make it "fit in fine"?

The reporter too lazy to drive a few extra miles to get a local quote?(Not that it would have been much different).

[elaygee]

It sounds like a great idea. Build it quick before some group of Luddites gets organized against it.

[Think again]

How insensitive to bring up the personal tradgety of the Baur family. It has nothing to do with the building of this monstrosity. Again all NSB wants to do is keep low level,low paying jobs that drive our young people away. Great for the real estate people who have run and ruined the place. Retirement,gambling, and low paying jobs the only future NSB and Florida can offer. Is there no one with a real vision for the future of this city?

[Iron Head]

She owns property in NSB, but is from Sanford. They left that out. Her motives are pure and her opinion hers.

The question is do you make an exception to a builder that is willing to accommodate the charm of NSB and invest in the a community that is struggling financially?

It would certainly be an improvement to the old Davey Johnson motel.

[ClamBob]

Developers won't be happy until every beach looks like Miami.

Elaygee, I know that Topix sometimes gives the wrong IP address, but if you are in Ormond, trust me, developers consider you a "back water" also.

If only "Luddites" like a quiet town, then call me a Luddite. Too many people believe growth is the only way to progress. I believe in growth. Growth in manufacturing. Growth in jobs. Not so much growth as in how many people and cars can be crammed on Flagler Ave.

Leave the beachside alone and encourage manufacturing on the west side. Jobs for people, not things for tourists.

[ClamBob]

Yes. Low paying jobs. How many $8.00 an hour jobs can we create? Many of the $10.00+ an hour jobs left the area when Homac consolidated to Ormond. How many $10.00+ an hour full time jobs will this create? Three?

We need companies with a product. Something you can hold in your hand. Something not made in China.

Think again wrote:

How insensitive to bring up the personal tradgety of the Baur family. It has nothing to do with the building of this monstrosity. Again all NSB wants to do is keep low level,low paying jobs that drive our young people away. Great for the real estate people who have run and ruined the place. Retirement,gambling, and low paying jobs the only future NSB and Florida can offer. Is there no one with a real vision for the future of this city?

[Jeff]

All development is not bad, it's just that, sadly, it's mostly what we see. As a regular to Flagler Avenue going back to the days when it still had the Red & White grocery store and a dime store, I believe it would be great to have another option in walking distance other than the Sea Horse (no pool) and the Riverview (usually booked). The initial plans suggest care is being taken to do it correctly. It will be up to the City and the neighbors to make sure it stays that way. This could be a plus - it's up to those who care about this splendid little spot to make sure it is.

[elaygee]

ClamBob wrote:

Developers won't be happy until every beach looks like Miami.
Elaygee, I know that Topix sometimes gives the wrong IP address, but if you are in Ormond, trust me, developers consider you a "back water" also.
If only "Luddites" like a quiet town, then call me a Luddite. Too many people believe growth is the only way to progress. I believe in growth. Growth in manufacturing. Growth in jobs. Not so much growth as in how many people and cars can be crammed on Flagler Ave.
Leave the beachside alone and encourage manufacturing on the west side. Jobs for people, not things for tourists.

There's no way in hell you'd let them build a factory beachside. Want jobs? Want taxes paid on improved property? Empty lots aren't gonna pay for it. Want customers for the restaurants and shops? Need people to go the NSB to get them. Have a Boat Week, build a nice hotel. try and look more like Delray Beach than Gilligan's Island. Pry back thet marina property from the all white men's club that took you for a ride 50 years ago.

[ClamBob]

elaygee wrote:

<quoted text>
There's no way in hell you'd let them build a factory beachside. Want jobs? Want taxes paid on improved property? Empty lots aren't gonna pay for it. Want customers for the restaurants and shops? Need people to go the NSB to get them. Have a Boat Week, build a nice hotel. try and look more like Delray Beach than Gilligan's Island. Pry back thet marina property from the all white men's club that took you for a ride 50 years ago.

And where do you live?

You don't know me and any reference to racism will be shoved back in your face. Go to hell. If you are going to assume anything about me, you have a problem.

I guess NSB can replace the parking by buying property somewhere else. Maybe in Ormond. When was the last time you tried to park on Flagler Ave. on a busy weekend? Or tried to launch your boat at the city ramps on a busy weekend?

You think you know something about NSB. You think you know something about me. You don't know squat. Well, maybe you do, but it's none of my business.

[ClamBob]

I also date back to the days of the Glass Bar,(Moe's, Traders) and Lunar Amusements. I am not so much against a motel in that location (but maybe not that motel), as I am against calling it progress. Growth, speculation, development, and tax revenue should never take a front seat to decent employment and wages for our existing citizens.

Jeff wrote:

All development is not bad, it's just that, sadly, it's mostly what we see. As a regular to Flagler Avenue going back to the days when it still had the Red & White grocery store and a dime store, I believe it would be great to have another option in walking distance other than the Sea Horse (no pool) and the Riverview (usually booked). The initial plans suggest care is being taken to do it correctly. It will be up to the City and the neighbors to make sure it stays that way. This could be a plus - it's up to those who care about this splendid little spot to make sure it is.

[love to live in NSB]

i thought a parking garage was in the works?

ClamBob wrote:

<quoted text>
I guess NSB can replace the parking by buying property somewhere else. Maybe in Ormond. When was the last time you tried to park on Flagler Ave. on a busy weekend? Or tried to launch your boat at the city ramps on a busy weekend?

[ClamBob]

But part of the land is now being used for public parking.

[love to live in NSB]

so i guess that would really put a damper on the parking if the lot was closed for construction. one thing that i did notice is there's a lot of cars that park on the beach... and it's almost impossible to get a spot near flagler ave unless arriving very very very early. that $5 parking per car has to give a huge boost to NSB. i wonder what the annual take is. does the city counsel make that info public record? a parking garage would bring in more money definitely because of the turn over of cars that visit the area and those intending on not parking on the beach. more of a turn over of patrons @ per hour parking garages.

i think it's not a bad looking hotel after reading the article and seeing the picture. must keep the trees to break it up though. from my experience, if the city has a building code in place, then any construction would have to adhere to those rules. a historic district would allow only buildings that fit in or were of specific design. does NSB have anything like that?

[ClamBob]

It's not that many parking spaces, but then again, there aren't that many spaces for Flagler Ave. in the first place.

I am, in most cases, in favor of keeping public property public. Put in a gazebo for the many events or turn it into a full fledged park. This is the people's property. The city bought the property for $200K. Where else will we ever have the chance to buy land for that price again?

The quote about a monster on a lily pad is well phrased.

[Max Dugas]

Dave wrote:

The only person they quote against it doesn't live there. It'll fit in fine.

I live on the corner of North Pine & Florida Ave, the backside of the monster hotel. I don't what this out of place thing in my front yard plus all the other stuff it would bring. The proposal is just too large for Flagler Ave dispite what the salesman developer says. Just look at the picture.I know a place that it would fit fine!

[6 Actual]

Maybe NSB should come on over to Sanford, take a look at the unsold condos on Lake Monroe, built on property the city used to own. All these developer clowns come up with the same idea, "it'll work great, now give me the land to do it," NSB was great, back when JB's Fish Camp had an outhouse and no glass windows. Now those were the days!

[readit1947]

Jeff wrote "The initial plans suggest care is being taken to do it correctly. It will be up to the City and the neighbors to make sure it stays that way. This could be a plus - it's up to those who care about this splendid little spot to make sure it is."
The suggestion that "care is being taken to do it correctly" must be only in someone's dreams. The proposal is for 117 rooms which is hardly a "small" hotel. The "little spot" being considered is TOO little for THREE stories and 117 rooms. I am repeating, but, this cannot be done without the CRA's additional property (park/parking)which lies back of the Flagler site.
A smaller hotel has been suggested by residents and one commissioner but met with a negative reaction from the developer.
The neighbors are CERTAINLY going to do everything they can to see that this is done "with care", "correctly" AND in a way that would benefit the residents as well as the businesses on Flagler.

[readit1947]

ClamBob wrote:

Developers won't be happy until every beach looks like Miami.
Elaygee, I know that Topix sometimes gives the wrong IP address, but if you are in Ormond, trust me, developers consider you a "back water" also.
If only "Luddites" like a quiet town, then call me a Luddite. Too many people believe growth is the only way to progress. I believe in growth. Growth in manufacturing. Growth in jobs. Not so much growth as in how many people and cars can be crammed on Flagler Ave.
Leave the beachside alone and encourage manufacturing on the west side. Jobs for people, not things for tourists.

Go Clambob!
You can only put/build so much on the beachside. Imagine trying to get everyone off NOW when there is an emergency (hurricane?).
The west side has much more room for development/businesses. US 1 could use some development as well. Why does everyone go to Daytona for needs/services? Try getting some of those to locate in NSB (Canal, US 1, etc.) Beachside is mostly about people coming to the BEACH. Residents could/would support businesses/services on Canal,, US 1, etc. I think.

[6 Actual]

Who is gonna pay for the insurance on this white....
uh oh.....grey whale of a building? or is that part of the charm, the taxpayer is taking care of that too?
If this is such a great deal, then let the developer pay the city the appraised value of the property, then see how fast this goes South.