While both cities are steeped in the history of Volusia ’ s early development , their paths to building downtowns are as different as their locations on the opposite ends of the county .
Ormond Beach has been continually progressing with redevelopment of the original downtown , while DeBary , largely a residential community , is striving to build its first downtown , including a Village Center .
Ormond Beach is a member of the National and Florida Main Street program , which is geared to assist communities in revitalizing historic downtowns through economic development based on preservation . As such , the non-profit Ormond Beach MainStreet promotes and markets the historic downtown , local businesses and numerous community activities – ranging from festivals , entertainment , arts and cultural events – to the weekly farmers market .
“ We want our downtown to be a vital place in the community ,” comments Ormond Beach MainStreet Executive Director Julia D . Truilo .
History , culture and the outdoors are a major focus of
Julia Truilo Ormond Beach downtown ,
blending well with a variety of retail shops , restaurants , art galleries and professional offices along the boulevard .
On the beachside , The Casements ( home of legendary industrialist John D . Rockefeller ) is now a community cultural center and riverfront park for events . The Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens is undergoing a 4,484 square foot expansion , with restoration starting on the historic 1895 MacDonald House .
“ Everybody now talks about historic preservation as ecologically important ,” notes Truilo .
Waterfront parks and walkways surround the four corners of the Granada Bridge over the Halifax River . And during the past 25 years , Ormond Beach ’ s mainland downtown has experienced an impressive revitalization of numerous historic buildings along the . 4 mile stretch of Granada between Beach Street and US1 .
Bill Jones
Practically all of the restored buildings are the works of Bill Jones , a devoted Ormond Beach
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