Daytona Beach Impressions ...

[Dale]

Though I grew up there, and am currently in Orlando, I hadn't been to DB in nearly two years. My impressions:

My wife and I own a timeshare at the Royal Floridian in Ormond. We love that area in particular, including proximity to the beach preserve area and the very quaint stretch of shops and restaurants on Granada.

Dipped into my old neighborhood, behind Bel-Air Plaza. It's JUST like I remembered decades ago.

I wish I could say the stretch of A1A, between Ormond and Daytona Beach Shores, was 'frozen in time.' It's worse. It's gone backwards. Bombsite after bombsite from the boom that never materialized. And what did the city get for demolishing the Boardwalk ? Now, there are a few bright spots. The Ocean Center redo is nice. And Ocean Walk seems to be thriving. Certainly some of the old institutions, like the Plaza, continue to thrive.

Downtown is as quaint and colorful as ever. The City Center highrise has gotten a nice redo and really stands out. Going over the bridge, taking in the river vista, still gives me the same kind of rise that I experienced as a kid.

Int'l Speedway BL is transitional, but the stretch between Bethune-Cookman and the Speedway is prospering.

All-in-all, disappointment mixed with some positive impressions and warm nostalgia.