The goal is to create
gateways that are pleasing aesthetically while projecting vitality.
As people approach DeLand, they
will notice upgrades in the medians along U.S. 92, according to
Assistant City Manager Michael Pleus. “We were fortunate to receive
a grant from the state for the upgrades and planting,” he said. This
landscaping provides a fresh look all the way out to Kepler Road. It
complements the natural beauty of the environmental lands separating
DeLand and Daytona Beach.
The grant is just one element
of the city’s commitment to make a good first impression among
people entering DeLand.
“The City Commission adopted
gateway standards with architectural guidelines, color
specifications, landscaping requirements and more,” said Taver
Cornett, the city’s economic development coordinator. “It will give
us much more control over the image we project at our gateways.”
In addition to the improvement
in aesthetics, the northeast quadrant of the city is teeming with
commercial real estate activity.
“We have a number of new
industrial warehouse opportunities along U.S. 92 and there are new
commercial buildings on S.R. 17 across from Wal-Mart,” said Dale
Arrington, community development director for DeLand.
“New retail establishments in
the Gibbs Plaza round out that section of the city with a good
variety of commercial ventures.” Gibbs Plaza is being created by
local investor “Gus” Gibbs. His Gibbs for Men store has been a
fixture of downtown DeLand for 30 years.
Gibbs Plaza is a
65,000-square-foot complex. The first phase is nearing
completion. Tenants include Wachovia Bank, Gamestop Video Game
Store, Amscot Financial Services, and Cuts by Us Salon. Leases with
other tenants are in various stages of negotiation and include
familiar names from among the nation’s retailers and restaurants.
The second phase of Gibbs Plaza
is expected to be completed in about a year. There also has been
interest in commercial land along U.S. 92, near S.R. 17. Several
buildings have been created, with others planned, all offering
warehouse and office space. The property at the corner of U.S.
92 and Flightline Road, sometimes called the “circus property,” has
attracted the interest of investors considering the site for a hotel
and
restaurant.
At DeLand
Municipal Airport there are plans for commercial hangars to
accommodate corporate aircraft. The Airport Business Park is home to
more than 70 businesses. City and county officials have been working
together on plans to build a road on the backside of the airport
property in the northwest area of the DeLand Municipal Airport
Business Park, near Pistol Range Road.
“This will loop around the
airport and will open up the backside of the property,” said
Cornett, who indicated there is a high demand for airport property.
“On a 10-acre segment in that area, we already have leases with
three businesses that are in development.”
John Kizer, a business
recruitment specialist with the Volusia County Department of
Economic Development, sees these projects as an economic catalyst.
“Communities that are careful
with the growth and development of their airports end up with a
strong mix of commercial and industrial enterprises,” he said. “Many
of these businesses benefit from close proximity to the Sydney H.
Taylor Airfield at the airport and all of them can contribute to the
employment base and overall economic vitality of the area.”
The evolution of the airport,
the appearance of new retail establishments and the emergence of
more and better office and warehouse space has transformed the
northern section of the city into a dynamic and vital entrance to
the quaint and historic city that lies beyond.
