"We,
like everyone else, have experienced rapid cost increases," said
Assistant County Manager Matt Greeson, who recently briefed the
Tourist Development Council on the status of the expansion project.
The
project, initially priced at $57 million, has increased to $62.6
million, according to Greeson. "We are fortunate to have been able
to address the cost increase through minor changes to the project
and increases in bond proceeds and interest earnings, keeping the
project on track."
The
first phase, the creation of a south parking lot, is complete. Work
on the second phase, site civil work (soil work, utilities, etc.),
will begin in January. Once Phase II is complete, work will begin on
the superstructure itself. Phase III work, which will change the
profile of the Ocean Center, will begin in the second quarter.
"The
expanded, updated Ocean Center will enable us to compete more
effectively for major meetings, conventions and events," said
Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno, who has played a key role in the
expansion project. "With a state-of-the-art complex and an improving
inventory of hotels and visitor amenities, we stand to gain a bigger
share of our traditional markets. We also expect to compete for
larger meetings and conventions."
Ocean
Center Director Rick Hamilton said the expansion will double the
size of the current building. Overall square footage will increase
from 225,000 to more than 450,000 while exhibit space within the
complex will increase from 60,000 to 164,000 square feet. Meeting
space will increase from 24,000 to 57,000 square feet.
"These
statistics are vital to meeting, convention and event planners,"
said Hamilton, a 25-year veteran of facilities management.
In
addition to the expansion, Ocean Walk Village is adding to the
allure of the complex. It has become a hub of activity for residents
and visitors and has been well received by meeting and convention
delegates who enjoy the casual atmosphere and the variety of
restaurants and entertainment establishments. Expansion and
improvements at the Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Walk Village, the
Plaza Resort & Spa and other hotels also add to the marketability of
the Ocean Center. Additionally, a major marketing effort, focused on
Ocean Center improvements, has been launched in an effort to secure
bookings for the newly configured complex when it is complete in
2008.
"We are
very optimistic about the future," said Jim Bazemore, a hotelier who
serves on the Tourist Development Council, an advisory board to the
Volusia County Council on the expansion. "We not only are going
after bigger business, but we're also going after better business in
markets where we now will be competitive. With our new facilities
and our location anchoring Florida's high tech corridor, we are in
the right place with the right facilities at what we hope is the
right time."
The
expansion is being funded by taxes on tourist accommodations.
