By Robert Burns, The Observer | View Source

“Crank ‘er up!” went the command – and the giant, tracked, back-hoe rumbled to life. Close to 100 people, politicians and law enforcers, business leaders and research supporters watched as the gargantuan claw ripped into the brickwork at the old New Smyrna Beach High School.

A groundbreaking research project, in the ‘works’ for more than a decade, is finally ‘physically’ underway. “This is a great day for our city,” said present New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer as he stood beside the school he once attended. He then called pivotal people forward; people who have worked hard on this project. “I’d like to invite Mayor Sally Mackay and Commissioner Randy Richenberg to step forward,” said Mayor Barringer, “Karen Clancy, come on up – and Mayor Jim and Pam Vandergrifft join us up here as well.”

With hardhats on head and golden shovels in hand, NSB leaders – past and present – broke ground on the new Mosquito Lagoon Marine Research Center. When the project is through (at least initially) it will have10,000 square feet of space to house the Marine Discovery Center, class space for marine science classes for the Volusia County School System, inside and outside (covered) space for the NSB Artists’ Workshop. There will be a wet lab for use by all state, federal, county and local Non-Governmental Organization biologists for marine science work; as well as office, operational and marine repair space for law enforcers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The ECHO grant money, distributed through Volusia County government, will also help pay for removal of all the substandard structures on the property, replanting and establishment of native vegetation and eventually – removal of the fence along the shoreline for public access.
“My wife Pam and Deborah Denys started heading-up this project back in the mid-1990s,” said former Mayor Jim Vandergrifft as he pulled out a copy of a front page from the Observer dated Nov. 1, 1996, “so, this is a moment we’ve all worked hard for – for an awfully long time.” On that yellowed front page – the story details a project which would be much more than a simple ‘aquarium.’

“This project is so very important to this community,” said former Mayor Sally Mackay, “there are so many great components to this Marine Research Center. This will help our community establish educational, business and technological assets which have never existed here before.” Proponents of the project have likened what is going on in New Smyrna Beach – to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Mote Marine Laboratory – two very large economic and educational engines.

“The location of this facility, will give the FWC an outstanding spot for regional operations,” said FWC Maj. Paul Ouellette, “we’ll have a contingent of officers operating out of New Smyrna Beach and the requisite space to do it right.” Ostensibly boosting the FWC’s profile – and positively impacting the overall safety of the Ponce Inlet Region.

There will also be a recreational aspect to the Marine Center – with kayak launch promising public access – as well as recreation/education with the Marine Discovery Center.

“We have yet to develop a firm construction timeline,” said NSB resident and Florida Fish and Wildlife Federation (FWF) Board Member Erik Halleus, “but we’re hoping to have a better idea within the next month to 6 weeks.”

Three of the existing buildings will remain standing; soon to undergo extreme renovation. Building 10 – on Quay Assisi – 35,000 square feet of general classroom space will be restored (but not as part of this ECHO Grant). Building 11 – the old Barracuda Administration Building will be 10,000 square feet to be restored under ECHO grant – to house the Marine Discovery Center, the NSB Artists’ Workshop as well as a ‘general use’ laboratory, and Building 13 – the Automotive Shop, which will become 10,000 square feet of marine repair shop and FWC law enforcement offices.

“So much work has already gone into this project,” said FWF Executive Director Brett Boston, “this has clearly become a passionate project for so many here in NSB. The people here have a lot to be proud of.”

Friday morning, many people cheered as they claimed their souvenir demolition bricks and more than one became teary-eyed. “So much work has gone into this project,” said Karen Clancy, “trips back and forth to Washington; trips back and forth to Tallahassee; weeks, months and years.” The demolition is still in its earliest stages – the project will keep a small army of construction workers busy for months; and hundreds, perhaps thousands of students, researchers, law enforcers, artists and nature lovers, busy for years.