Daytona Beach has several impressive commercial developments in the works that have the power to transform the local economy unlike anything it has seen in generations. But until the city eradicates the blight that has plagued the beachside area the effect will be like serving a roasted Thanksgiving turkey with Cheetos and Fritos.
Thankfully, one of the potential obstacles to finding a solution — political turf-guarding — appears to have been removed.
That’s the biggest takeaway from a recent report issued by the Halifax Area Civic League, a group of 110 community leaders whose backgrounds range from local government and development to tourism and the legal profession. Earlier this year the Civic League formed a tourism issues committee to study the ongoing problem of blight along Atlantic Avenue and the International Speedway Boulevard corridor that detracts from the tourist experience and discourages visitors from returning.