Long Description:Is recession the time for Daytona Beach to restore 'eyesore'
pier?
Ludmilla Lelis
Sentinel Staff Writer
September 14, 2009
DAYTONA BEACH - For more than 80 years, the Daytona Beach Pier
has been an icon for the city, a landmark of an era when tourists
flocked to the "World's Most Famous Beach."
But its fame has faded along with its paint job. Gondola cars
from a sky ride hang limply in the air, vendor booths sit shuttered
and empty, and a broken space-needle ride is marred by
graffiti.
The city wants to take control of the pier and has offered $1.3
million to the management company leasing it. Despite the price
tag, the city could then stop the pier's deterioration "into an
eyesore" and "be better in the long run," said Mayor Glenn Ritchey.
"We have great visions of how it can look and how it will look, and
what kind of positive influence it will have in our core tourist
district."
Management company Diland Corp., which holds a 70-year lease,
hasn't accepted the agreement, and company representative Jerry
Fincke would not comment.
Critics aren't happy with either the price tag or the idea of
spending money during tough economic times, especially for what
some have criticized as a "buyout" of the leaseholder.
"I'm torn. I would say, 'Let's just let them go, not assess them
any damages, but not pay them either,'" said Commissioner Shiela
McKay-Vaughn, who voted against the potential payment.
She and fellow Commissioner Pam Woods were outvoted last week,
though, as the city debated the proposal to take the lease. If
Diland officials agree with the proposal, the plan could be
finalized within a few weeks.
Fires, hurricanes in past
The current pier, at the beach off Main Street, wasn't the first
for the site. The original 1900 version burned down and was
rebuilt. In 1924, the pier was extended to 1,000 feet and featured
a casino and ballroom dancing.
The entire Daytona Beach tourist district, which includes a
nearby boardwalk and bandshell, saw its fortunes decline in the
1970s, and was first declared "blighted" in 1981. The favorite
family destination had deteriorated into a seedy haven of
flophouses for runaways and pedophiles.
In 1999, Hurricane Floyd snapped off 266 feet of the pier, which
has not been rebuilt.
Redevelopment efforts in the area have led to the construction
of the Ocean Walk Shoppes, hotel renovations and the recently
expanded Ocean Center, the county-run convention center on State
Road A1A.
The pier was meant to be part of the next round, which stalled
because of the economic climate. That plan envisioned an adjoining
amusement pier near the historic one and a new multimillion-dollar
boardwalk and convention hotel complex.
Repairs in 2007 shored up some of the most degraded pilings, and
the latest reports found the pier structurally sound. But time and
the salty environment will continue to batter the pier, which will
need another $1.3 million in repairs within two years.
Deal's reward not without risk
The city owns the pier and a nearby park. But the management of the
pier remains under Diland's control. City officials began
negotiating several months ago with Diland to change the lease, but
some thought the best option would be for the city to take it over
entirely for the right price.
Based on an appraised value of $2 million to $3 million for the
remaining 65 years on the lease, the City Commission has settled on
a $1.3 million price tag. The commission has proposed using tax
money raised in the district to revitalize the area.
At a recent commission meeting, some sharply criticized the
plan, saying that Diland made some profit and shouldn't be given
tax money for a faltering business.
"On any business deal, there is risk and reward," said Paul
Politis, who owns nearby businesses on A1A.
"I don't think it's the public's responsibility to pick this
up."
Trying to fight Diland in court, however, would be a difficult,
expensive and potentially losing battle because the company didn't
violate any lease terms, the mayor said.
And with the city in control, Daytona Beach could pursue grants
to restore the pier to its former glory, he said.
"Not even those who criticized this thought that the city
shouldn't take back the pier," Ritchey said. "This is the right
thing to do."
Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel
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