County Council setting clear vision for future land use at Daytona
Beach International Airport
Aviation
in Daytona Beach has come a long way from the early 1900s, when
upscale hotels hired barnstormers to land on the beach and entertain
guests. However, one thing that has not changed is the economic
importance of aviation. The local airport -- Daytona Beach
International -- more than ever is an important cog in the local
economy.
Early
air mail routes, cargo shipments, World War II pilot training and
the evolution of passenger airlines all have played a role in the
airport’s 75-year history. These days the impact of the complex goes
well beyond arriving and departing aircraft. Businesses on the
airport complex contribute significantly to the economic vitality of
the area.
“Daytona
Beach International Airport is an essential part of the region’s
future,” said Volusia County Manager Jim Dinneen. “The increasing
importance of transportation in our society is evident. But equally
important is the proper use of the county owned airport property. By
carefully selecting the best uses for this land, DBIA will continue
to serve as a catalyst as we pursue our goals for a more diverse and
vital economy.”
Daytona Beach International Airport
Director of Aviation Dennis McGee, left,
and Business Development Director Steve Cooke survey airport complex
County
officials have added to the contiguous land on the south side of
DBIA. In 2005, Volusia County Government purchased 138 acres along
Beville Road after years of discussion and negotiation with the
seller, Norpack Corporation. The Florida Department of
Transportation contributed significantly to the $12.7-million price
tag.
With
this most recent land purchase, the 2,000-acre airport property now
has nearly 400 acres of undeveloped property plus other parcels that
can be redeveloped. To maximize the use of this land, a new master
plan is being developed for consideration
by the Volusia County Council next year.
“Of
course our main goal is to make sure we have a self sustaining
airport that meets the community’s needs,” said Dennis McGee, DBIA’s
Director of Aviation. “But the airport also needs to support and
enhance our economic development vision.”
DBIA
officials are developing a plan that underscores today’s
sophisticated uses for the facility. The plan will include
development guidelines for undeveloped property.
One goal of the new master plan and the corresponding property
development plan will be to specify appropriate land use for
aviation and nonaviation property and to identify
proposed transportation and utility corridors. This plan will come
into play in a big way in about five years when several current land
leases expire.
McGee
said the master plan and property development plan will cover land
use controls, capacity and delay analysis, airfield facility
requirements, general aviation requirements, terminal facility
requirements, alternative development scenarios,
environmental factors, proposed land use and financial and
feasibility planning. When completed, the new plan will provide a
20-year planning prospective toward the goal of maximizing aviation
development in a manner that’s community conscious and financially
responsible.
Meanwhile, the Volusia County Council is moving forward with a
95-acre, county-managed technology park at DBIA. The project is
expected to create 296,000 square feet of large-scale office space
and 312,000 square feet of new manufacturing space
with a projected 2,000 new jobs.
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