New Smyrna Beach eyes partnerships to accomplish goals
As Southeast Volusia moves toward the future, the challenge and key to success rests in working together through a tough economy, a strategy that has helped rejuvenate New Smyrna Beach’s historic downtown and promises growth there in years to come.
Whether it is the private and public sectors, governments or other combinations, such partnerships are vital to turn plans into realities, civic and community leaders believe.
“Partnerships are one of our top five goals,” said New Smyrna Beach City Manager Pam Brangaccio.
Faced with major expenses such as stormwater, sewer services and road paving, the question comes down to how to fund these quality of life issues. Unless people work together those needs will not be met, officials say.
An example of such partnering Brangaccio pointed to was the Dunn Lumber property at U.S. 1 and Canal Street.
It was purchased with city Community Redevelopment Agency dollars; the environmental cleanup was done with state dollars from the Department of Environmental Protection and improvements to the intersection are proposed, but as yet unfunded, through the Florida Department of Transportation, Brangaccio said.