By Robert Burns, The Observer | View Source

A cadre of about a dozen major players in the future of the Mosquito Lagoon Marine Enhancement Center looked on, as the giant scoop knocked down one of the few remaining walls of the old New Smyrna Beach High School. When the demolition is all over, the crews will have obliterated all but three structures on the old school site.

“We promise,” said Florida Wildlife Foundation Director & Enhancement Center point-man Brett Boston, “you’ll be able to start moving into the renovated structures by September!”

Bob Grayson of NSB’s Artists’ Workshop looked at fellow Artists’ Workshop member Joye Shaffer who then nodded to third member Laura Robinson; relief was clear in each glance.

Fish and Wildlife officer, Capt. Chris Roszkowiak looked out toward the old machine shop, one of the few structures to remain, and soon to become his base of operations.

The Artists’ Workshop, the NSB Marine Discovery Center and FWC Law Enforcement will be among the first educational and environmental ‘entities’ to set-up shop on the old North Causeway school site.

“We’re really looking forward to a heightened presence here on the East Coast of Volusia,” said Fish & Wildlife Commission Regional Director Dennis David. Presently, the closest FWC facility is a fishery lab in Ponce de Leon Springs. “This is truly where we’re needed and will be best able to serve the people, and environment, of Florida,” he said as he nodded out toward the estuary.

It will be far more than merely a law enforcement presence the FWC will also be setting up a research and fisheries center which will serve to teach regional school children about the flora and fauna of the estuary. There will also be a strong recreational element to the FWC’s mission.

For the shoreline, the plans call for boat and kayak launch areas, as well as potentially placing an archery range out there. “Soon the fences down by the shore will all be down as well,” said Mr. Boston, “then you’ll be amazed at the view and access that will provide.”
As the tour wended its way through the remaining structures, Mr. Boston pointed out a number of design elements which will contribute to the Enhancement Center’s status as a ‘green project,’ “This wall will be gone, in effect flooding this area with natural lighting – and the overhead lights – they’ll be drawing energy from solar panels.”

Marine Discovery Center Education Coordinator Chad Truxall was measuring interior space in the building into which the MDC will move. He said, staff at the MDC have been looking forward to this move for a long time now.

With each wall that crumbles, tons of debris are created; detritus which would normally cost extra to get rid of – is actually helping to subsidize the cost of the creation of the Marine Enhancement Center by tens of thousands of dollars.

The new Walmart going in at SR-44 and Interstate-95 is using the aggregate created by the demolition – as a base for the shopping center’s new parking area. “This is just one more way this project is both ‘green’ and economically in the best interest of everyone,” said Mr. Boston.

Looking down at the demolition from a remaining ‘upper balcony,’ project supervisor Eric Mauger said he loves this type of challenge. “We at Coastal Construction live for weird jobs like this,” said the bespectacled construction engineer, “we like the notion of building something that will have a lasting impact.”

“Impact indeed! This is a great opportunity to develop all sorts of synergy,” said Wildlife Foundation board member Erik Halleus, “We’re inviting the universities in this region to participate and utilize this phenomenal resource. We anticipate that it will also attract relatively high-tech businesses into our region – thereby creating jobs, and there are further educational elements that we are looking into right now.”

“Bottom line,” said FWC Regional Director David, “it’s all about our kids and our future. We want to create something that is good and has a lasting positive impact on the State and right here in Southeast Volusia.”