Iconic Daytona 500 is Sunday

The Daytona International Speedway is the epicenter of motorsports racing through this weekend culminating with the Daytona 500, starting at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. If you’re not going to the races, it is recommend avoiding the roads around Daytona International Speedway, when possible, especially International Speedway Boulevard (ISB), Williamson Boulevard, Midway Avenue, Bill France Boulevard, Fentress Boulevard, Richard Petty Boulevard and Clyde Morris Boulevard.

Alternate roadways include: 

-Beville Road and Ridgewood Avenue (U.S. 1)

-Mason Avenue

For those going north or south, we suggest these roads instead of I-95 or Williamson Boulevard: 

-Atlantic Avenue (S.R. A1A)

-Clyde Morris Boulevard

-Nova Road (S.R. 5A)

-Ridgewood Avenue (U.S. 1)

Daytona Beach Police will have additional law enforcement officers present to assist in managing increased traffic and ensuring public safety.

Groundbreaking Friday morning for beachside ISB improvements

The long-awaited overhaul of East International Speedway Boulevard (ISB) - the city’s main gateway to the beach – is set to begin in April. The public is invited to join representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation, elected officials and community stakeholders for a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at the eastern base of the Broadway Bridge (also known as the ISB Bridge). Upgrades to the state-owned road include:

-Wider travel lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the roadway

-Enhanced crosswalks at Halifax and Grandview avenues

-A raised and landscaped median

-A resurfaced roadway

-Reconstructed signals at Halifax Avenue, Peninsula Drive and Grandview Avenue

-Dedicated turning lanes for traffic headed south on A1A and traffic heading eastbound from A1A to ISB

-Undergrounding of overhead utilities

During construction, motorists should expect intermittent nighttime lane closures on ISB between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Access to residences and businesses, as well as pedestrian access, will be maintained throughout the duration of the project. For more information, visit the city's website.

Watch replay of City Commission meeting

City commissioners met Wednesday night and people who were not able to attend can watch a replay of the meeting from the convenience of their personal computer or mobile device.

At the meeting, commissioners approved the purchase of automatic license plate readers, seating and locker room improvements at Daytona Stadium, playground resurfacing at Henry Lee and Suburbia Parks and the 2023-2024 proposed state and federal legislative priorities.

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Second phase of community survey is underway

Deadline for responses is Monday, Feb. 20
Daytona Beach residents are invited to complete the city’s community survey during the open participation window through Feb. 20. The online questionnaire allows residents to provide valuable feedback on Daytona Beach's economic health, community building, traffic flow, service by city departments even the "neighborliness of Daytona Beach residents."

The survey takes an average of 16 minutes to complete, and responses are confidential, and no identifying information will be shared. Residents who received the survey in the mail in January are urged to respond by following the instructions provided. The questions are the same in the mailed and electronic versions.

City hosts listening session, Feb. 23

The city’s Growth Management & Planning Department is hosting quarterly listening sessions to provide an opportunity for the public to meet with Planning, Permits & Licensing, Redevelopment and Code Compliance staff. The meeting will allow staff to listen to and address issues and concerns from residents and stakeholders. The meeting is at 2 p.m. and will adjourn no later than 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at City Hall, in room 149B.

FDOT hosts public meeting about improvements to LPGA Boulevard

The Florida Department of Transportation is hosting a community meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the LPGA International Clubhouse, 1000 Champions Drive, for the public to learn about a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for LPGA Boulevard from International Speedway Boulevard/U.S. 92 to Williamson Boulevard. The purpose of this study is to accommodate existing and future travel demand and improve safety on LPGA Boulevard and the I-95 interchange. 

There are three options to attend the meeting—in person, virtually (advance registration required) and by calling in (listening only). For more information, visit contact Jesse Blouin at (386) 943-5167 or by email. 

New modular library opens in Midtown

The John H. Dickerson Heritage Library sustained significant damage from Hurricane Ian and is closed until further notice. However, the county has placed a modular library at this location to provide services. The new library, at 411 S. Keech St., is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. 

Residents are able to enjoy many of the services available at other library branches, such as internet and computer access for children and adults, book and magazine selections for all ages, and the ability to print and photocopy documents. Reserved items, such as books and hotspots, can also be retrieved from this location. For more information, call (386) 239-6478.

F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival, Feb. 23-25 

The F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival starts Thursday, Feb. 23, with a film festival at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the Captain Willie Miller Instructional Center and a full schedule of activities at the Julia T. and Charles W. Cherry Sr. Cultural and Educational Center, 925 George W. Engram Blvd., in Daytona Beach. 

This engaging festival offers entertainment with film, book and author presentations. More than 50 authors and narrators are scheduled to participate in the international festival.