NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick.
The former New Smyrna Beach High School complex has been an eyesore for a decade now, but that's about to change with big bucks coming from the county through an ECHO grant to make way for the Mosquito Lagoon Marine Enhancement Center.
NSBNEWS.net file photo of City Commissioner Jack Grasty.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- City Commissioner Jack Grasty was all smiles Friday and why not? The city received two ECHO grants from Volusia County: $600,000 for the Mosquito Lagoon Marine Enhancement Center at the former New Smyrna Beach High School, and $281,853 for the city's portion of the Cross Volusia Trail.
"This is great news for New Smyrna Beach," said Grasty, who lobbied for both community projects.
The ECHO grant awards were approved Thursday by the Volusia County Council with the largest amount of $1.6 million going for the west wing construction of the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences, which was heavily damaged by flood waters last year.
Locally, officials were banking on the ECHO funding to make use of the former high school site off the North Causeway.
Grasty and the rest of the commission felt so strongly about the enhancement center that they voted unanimously in November to spend $130,000 to help secure the grant, even though the state, and not the city, owns the property.
The money was needed in order for the Wildlife Foundation of Florida to obtain maximum funding from the county, through ECHO, a taxpayer-supported funding mechanism for environmental and cultural entities.
The $1.2 million project was contingent on $600,000 in Volusia ECHO grants, which city officials were hoping would be approved since the application was being sought by the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, which is funding another $480,000.
All but two of the buildings that housed the former high school will likely be razed and at least two community groups will have a new home: The two community groups, which will each contribute $10,000 to the project are the Marine Discovery Center, currently on the North Causeway and the Artists' Workshop, which is in the city-owned Chamber of Commerce building on Canal Street.
These two non-profits will share space with the state, which will provide a local home for the Florida Fish and Wildlife marine patrol.
While the community groups were thrilled with the commission's unanimous vote to greenlight funding, several resident watchdogs, among them Bill Koleszar, were not pleased, saying the city had more pressing financial issues.
But Grasty, who romped to victory for a second term with his September primary win, along with Commissioner Judy Reiker and Mayor Adam Barringer, who won their seats in November, made it happen. Commissioners Lynne Plaskett and Jim Hathaway also supported it.
Barringer said that even though he was reluctant to spend the money that wasn't budgeted, the idea of spending $130,00 to secure a million in funding was too good for the community's betterment to pass up.
Fielding Cooley, who runs the Marine Discovery Center, was pleased the funding had been secured, saying the funding will allow for renovation of the Administration Building at the old high school, while providing for the demolition and clearing of old unsalvageable buildings in preparation for what ultimately will become a $27 million fish hatchery, lagoon restoration and environmental learning facility.
NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick.
The Cudas sign stands proud at the old high school, a symbol of a bygone era.
The Marine Discovery Center will receive a 30-year lease in the former administration building "finally providing a permanent home for its efforts to preserve and enhance the Mosquito Lagoon and its surrounding marine environment," Cooley said.
Cooley added, "This facility provides the base for a planned Marine Science Learning Center and home for K-12 programs articulating with all area university marine science and technology programs. University and agency partners are lining up with exciting promise."
To celebrate the grant award the MDC and its partners are planning the "Great Cuda Cleanup," a community wide event scheduled for May 22, with the goal of cleaning the grounds in preparation for this addition to the City.
"We will welcome all volunteers especially those who can clear debris, whack weeds and remove dead trees and bushes and keep equipment serviceable," Cooley said, adding any additional resources that members of the community want to donate would be welcomed.
FAST FACTS
* ECHO stands for Environmental, Cultural, Historical, and Outdoor Recreation.
* Eligible applicants for ECHO grants are cities of Volusia County, non-profits incorporated in Florida with a local office, and departments of Volusia County Government.
By the Numbers
City of New Smyrna Beach, Cross Volusia Trail, $ 281,853;
Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Mosquito Lagoon Marine Enhancement Center, $600,000;
Volusia County, Parks and Recreation, Dahlia Beach Park, $ 92,751;
Volusia County, Parks and Recreation, Sun Splash Park, $ 213,754;
City of DeBary, Rob Sullivan Community Park, $250,000; Museum of Arts & Sciences,;
West Wing Reconstruction, $1,600,000; City of Daytona Beach;
Midtown Cultural and Education Center, $ 600,000; Gateway Center for the Arts;
Gateway Center for the Arts Enhancements, $57,000.00.