Proposed Flagler Avenue Hotel

Did you know that a THREE story, 115 room Hampton Inn has been proposed for historic Flagler Avenue? The quaint, small town atmosphere and "charm" associated with New Smyrna Beach is in jeopardy. This proposal has been tagged THE "economic stimulus package" for Flagler Avenue businesses. Should this be the ONLY issue considered when approving this proposal? I think not.
There are other issues at stake here. The proposed site borders a shaded, tree canopied lot/park which local residents frequent (as well as visitors attending the many festivals on Flagler Avenue). This park area would be replaced with a parking lot for the hotel. As presented, the proposal states that access to/from the hotel would be on Flagler Avenue. Add this to the mix of traffic congestion when the weather is nice and everyone is trying to get to/from the beach and you have a major traffic problem.
Rumors are rampant concerning this proposal. Some say, "That is a done deal", "I thought that was dead", OR "I didn't know anything about it," "You are fighting a losing battle...the city will do what it wants". There has been little or no communication throughout the community (with the exception of to businesses) concerning the proposal and its approval.
I urge interested parties to contact the NSB city commissioners to let them know how you feel about this issue.
I personally feel that there are many sites better suited to a THREE STORY, 115 room hotel which would benefit a larger number of city businesses. Flagler Avenue is a narrow, two lane street, ending on the east at the ocean. The main purpose of the street is to travel to or from "the beach". It is not suited to a LARGE hotel, no matter how "historic" it may look. It is too large for that site.
I urge you to contact the city commissioners to vote against this proposal when it comes to a vote. Let's "Maintain the Charm" of our beautiful, small town beach.
Deborah Dugas

I commented on this story about a year ago. I'm not for or against. Completely undecided. Traffic is my main concern.

You are right. I haven't heard anything more on the plans since the first story.

Very sad to have a warm and quaint community become so conjested.

i visited NSB for the first time and loved the quiet community... i think a hotel in that area would benefit the community with jobs and more people, but would detract from the unique area that i enjoyed... especially flagler avenue... it's a tough call in my opinion... i'd like to read more on the topic if anyone has a news link... thanks... love your area!!!

found one... but it's dated mar 2008... anything newer?

http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php...

Couldn't find anything newer.

Unfortunately, there is NOT a lot of news/information available to the public about this proposed hotel. If you have questions, you may email the following for answers: maintainthecharm@earthlink.net
This proposed hotel will definitely create a traffic nightmare on the narrow two lane street. We love tourists and need them for our economy. However, one of the reasons they come is for the small town "charm" which will be no more with a THREE story hotel at this site.
There are many sites better suited to this proposed hotel. We have many motels and B&Bs which now welcome visitors while maintaining our small town atmosphere.
I will try to post links when news becomes available.

Mr. Swentor is SURE it is a done deal. He has refused to meet with the residents because WE don't matter....he doesn't need US or our opinions. We were led to believe that he would "work with us". What a joke! He wants the BIG hotel on Flagler Avenue and does not appear to listen or want to discuss alternate sites OR sizes of hotel. Again, without the CRA's Florida Avenue property, this hotel could not be built on Flagler.
Leaving the meeting on Tuesday Mr. Swentor's comment was "we will be a good neighbor". And we should believe that why...because you were so good at listening to your future "neighbors" concerns when the project was being "developed"???

readit1947 wrote:

Mr. Swentor is SURE it is a done deal. He has refused to meet with the residents because WE don't matter....he doesn't need US or our opinions. We were led to believe that he would "work with us". What a joke! He wants the BIG hotel on Flagler Avenue and does not appear to listen or want to discuss alternate sites OR sizes of hotel. Again, without the CRA's Florida Avenue property, this hotel could not be built on Flagler.
Leaving the meeting on Tuesday Mr. Swentor's comment was "we will be a good neighbor". And we should believe that why...because you were so good at listening to your future "neighbors" concerns when the project was being "developed"???

Linda DeBorde, who questionably moved her office from US1 to Flagler Ave when this issue came about, sits on the CRA board. Of course she is also very much in favor of this hotel being build next door to her real estate office so that she can directly capitalize on it.

I feel that any persons who own a business on Flagler Avenue should remove themselves from the CRA board. This board should have unbiased decision makers

I also find it ironic that the owner of The Sanctuary Boutique, also located on Flager Ave. will be a candidate for Mayor next election.

Oh give me a break, How is a small 3 story hotel going to cause traffic congestion ??

pooty tang wrote:

Oh give me a break, How is a small 3 story hotel going to cause traffic congestion ??

In a way, you're right. The congestion on Flagler is already unbearable at times. Most week nights there is virtually no on-street parking as it is. On weekends it is worse.

Come see for yourself or stop talking out of your posterior. The north bridge only has to raise for five minutes on a weekend to cause a four block back-up which can last a half hour. The parking lot at the end of Flagler can only accomodate around 150 cars.

This is not what NSB needs.

pooty tang wrote:

Oh give me a break, How is a small 3 story hotel going to cause traffic congestion ??

Pooty, being from Port Orange, if you're unfamiliar with the layout of the street and the intersection in question I could understand why you would have to wonder. Flagler Avenue is an extremely narrow 2-lane road that only stretches about 4 blocks before it dumps you onto the beach. This hotel is proposed near the busiest intersection, which is right at the foot of the bridge. When the weather is nice, which is pretty much all the time lately, the traffic in all four directions at the intersection stand still because the roads are 2-lane in all directions; If the bridge goes up, nobody goes anywhere. We also have beach driving, and the line of cars that come off the beach onto flagler are often backed up far down the sand when the bridge is up.

A lot of us are all for building a hotel, just not in this one specific spot where it would be the biggest traffic nightmare. Imagine the frustration felt by the people in the hotel parking lot with their blinkers on trying to turn into a sea of stopped cars. Now, while the perception that a 3-story hotel is "small" is highly debatable, I still don't see why there could not be any other options for the location, as the developer has stated to us. There are multiple areas nearby that could support it easily.

A lot of people who visit here remember this unique little beach street business district for the rest of their lives. Even if it brings more people visiting, the frustrations caused by the location they have chosen would greatly nullify the unique charm that those visitors would have experienced, and it would weaken the emotional intensity of the memories they associate with our town. The developers don't realize that we care as much about what their future guests think of us as we do about saving the charm of our historic neighborhood. The two concerns are one and the same.

Sorry Pooty, I was talking to you as if you were from Port Orange but the site put my home as Kissimmee, so you're probably a local too for all I know.

If you are from NSB you have probably noticed Marilee Walter on the ballot for Mayor. She owns a business, maybe two on Flagler Ave and will do her best to get this hotel built because her business will benefit from the increased traffic.

She will get a NO vote from me come the elections.

Linda DeBorde should also remove herself from the CRA board since her real estate office will be right across the street

I work Sundays on north beach, and getting over the bridge sometimes takes 15-20 minutes each way. I cant imagine what it will be like with a hotel to increase the traffic.

They need to move this idea to the property by the Outback, behind Dudleys, or out on 44

NSBMom wrote:

.....

They need to move this idea to the property by the Outback, behind Dudleys, or out on 44

Or even near the bowling alley where it was first proposed. Leave room for more of the small businesses which make Flagler Ave. what it is.

As a 40 yr. resident I have seen it all-and this is NO GOOD. Pls. don't let this go thru. You can't undo it.

ClamBob wrote:

<quoted text>
Or even near the bowling alley where it was first proposed. Leave room for more of the small businesses which make Flagler Ave. what it is.

When I said by Dudleys, I meant where the old Food Lion use to be. I could have gotten the name of the funeral home wrong.

You have it right.

Well folks, unless there is a massive influx at the Sept. 14th meeting this looks like a done deal. All of the residents' objections have been "nullified". Bottom line...no on cares as they do not have to live behind this monster 24/7. They (city leaders) think this is the "stimulus package" for the businesses on Flagler Avenue. If you are truly concerned I suggest you be at the meeting and voice your opinion or write city commissioners. ALL mayorala candidates are FOR this project and any others that bring business to NSB. What they seem to be forgetting is that if people face the traffic and congestions getting to the beach and Flagler Avenue they will STOP coming. Many come BECAUSE OF the small town quantiness of SMALL businesses. They come here to get away from traffic jams, etc.
NSBsince 83...wish your thoughts could be know to commissioners. All others as well!!!
We, local residents have been very visible and vocal but not enough in numbers to have anyone "listen" to us.
I fear that this will be built, will fail, and then we are stuck with an eyesore in our small, beautiful community.
The meeting is September 14 at 6:30 at the Utilities Commission building.