Daytona Beach Pier to be Restored

The Daytona Beach pier has a rich history and is an important part of the consciousness of the city. Orignally, the pier was constructed in 1900 by Thomas Keating, and called the Keating Pier. In 1919, it burned down, and was rebuilt. In 1924, T.J. Wright bought the pier for $27,000, tore it down, and rebuilt from scratch.

In 1925, the 1,000' pier opened with a casino and room for 2,000 dancers. In the 1930's to 1950's, there was a skating rink and stairway to an upstairs garden, dance bands and bathing beauty contests, charity balls, and a maritime museum. Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey played there; Sally Rand and Gypsy Rose Lee entertained there. In 1966, Harry Doan bought the pier and sold helicopter rides, and built the Sky Lift and Space Needle. In 2004, Theresa Doan deeded the pier to the city which has leased the concessions to private businesses.

Now the city of Daytona Beach and private investors want to make some changes, long-needed repairs, and create a possible addition to replace footage lost in hurricanes, especially Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

According to News-Journal Online, "The city's support services director, J. Paul Wetzel, is in the middle of surveying other Florida cities to see how their piers are run. He plans to report his findings to the Pier Committee in about a month, and after that city commissioners expect to decide whether they want to stick with the current lease or solicit proposals from other businesses seeking to run the pier."

Assistant City Manager Paul McKitrick said, "Officials would like to see the pier better maintained, and have discussed pouring $2 million into repairs and upgrades such as hurricane windows and doors for the historic casino building. The city would like to keep the sky ride, use part of the restaurant building for receptions and parties, and attract a large chain restaurant like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co."

McKitrick added that "If a second pier is built, the city envisions a modern, concrete structure with rides that could be a tourist destination in and of itself. But the second pier is not permitted, and any private developer who would pursue those permits could be in for a challenge."

Many local residents would like the pier to be restored to the "glory" of its bygone days. Regardless of how long you have lived here and used the pier, or if you remember what it used to be, the structure remains an important landmark in Daytona Beach and a gathering place.

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Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
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