Headline Surfer photos and video / Above, Lesa France Kennedy smiles after Volusia County Chair Jason Davis applauds her for the due diligence she and other Daytona International Speedway executives put into pitching 'One Daytona,' the massive retail village on 181 acres across the street from the trace rack in Daytona Beach, Florida, and its signature race, the Daytona 500. The County Council gave preliminary approval for $20 million in taxpayer funds towards the start-up costs, equaling the $20 million the Daytona City Commission unanimously approved Wednesday night, led by Mayor Derrick Henry. He is shown in the inset here, seated next to Daytona Beach City Manager Jim Chisholm (red tie), And seated behind Chisholm is former Mayor Glenn Ritchey. Frank Bruno, the former county chair is seated behind Ritchey. Shown in the larger photo at left is the current county chair, Jason Davis. Shown conferring with him is County Manager Jim Dinneen, with County Councilman Pat Patterson shown to the left.DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The future is now at Daytona International Speedway, thanks to two historic votes in less than 24 hours involving municipal and county governments.
NASCAR Nation and Daytona International Speedway officials couldn't have asked for a better start to $800 million worth of projects for Daytona International Speedway's future than earlier today's preliminary approval from the Volusia County Council for $20 million in start-up costs for "One Daytona," the massive retail/village-type development across the street from the track on 181 acres already owned by the Speedway.
Graphic for Headline Surfer® / At left is an an artist's rendering of 'One Daytona,' the massive retail/village planned for 181-acres across the street from Daytona International Speedway.This county government action, though not unanimous, followed the unanimous vote of the Daytona City Commission the night before to provide another $20 million to help with start-up costs.
The other massive Speedway project is the $400 million "Daytona Rising," a renovation and modernization of the track facility itself -- mostly in the grandstands. Daytona Rising broke ground last year and is expected to be completed in time for the 2016 Daytona 500, though it didn't stop Dale Earnhardt Jr. from taking the checkered flag for the 2014 Daytona 500, his second 500 victory in a decade. Construction for both projects shouldn't be a hindrance in next year's Daytona 500 race either, track officials have emphasized.
The other massive Speedway project is the $400 million "Daytona Rising," a renovation and modernization of the track facility itself -- mostly in the grandstands.
Daytona Rising broke ground last year and is expected to be completed in time for the 2016 Daytona 500, though it didn't stop Dale Earnhardt Jr. from taking the checkered flag for the 2014 Daytona 500, his second 500 victory in a decade. Construction for both projects shouldn't be a hindrance in next year's Daytona 500 race either, track officials have emphasized.
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Headline Surfer video / Former Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey and current Mayor Derrick Henry react to the One Daytona project approval.