DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A piece of Daytona Beach history is standing tall once again.
City leaders, community members and longtime residents gathered Friday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the restoration of the Main Street Arch, a landmark that has welcomed visitors to the beachside for nearly 90 years.
The arch, originally built in 1936 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, underwent an extensive $934,000 restoration after engineers discovered cracks and deteriorating concrete and steel. The project, funded primarily through community redevelopment money, focused on stabilizing the structure while preserving its original coquina stone.
[WATCH BELOW: Daytona Beach’s iconic coquina arch closes temporarily for massive restoration]
Mayor Derrick Henry called the arch the “gateway to our community” and said the project reflects broader efforts to invest in the beachside.
“This is the most historic entryway to our beach,” Henry said. “We realize that this beach has taken a battering as well as our boardwalk, but we’re working hard and we’re looking for investors to come in and do the things that need to be done to take it to the next level.”
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Volusia County Commissioner Matt Rinehart said restoring the landmark represents more than preservation, it represents pride.
“When you think Volusia County, you think Daytona Beach,” Rinehart said. “I’ve lived in this area since 1970 and I’ve seen this go from one extreme to the other. The fact that we’re here to revitalize this area… it’s not just a statue of sorts. It’s a staple to the entrance of the beach.”
For residents like Pamela Wendel, who has been visiting the arch for decades, the restoration carries deep meaning.
“This is iconic,” Wendel said. “I’m so very happy to have participated. I am emotional because it’s just so nice to see it come back. We remember it before. We remember what’s gone on.”
For nearby businesses, the restoration is a welcome boost.
“It was pretty amazing to watch that progress, to be quite honest with you. We were really anxious to get it reopened. It’s an iconic landmark,” said Jennifer Weeks, sales manager at the Boardwalk Inn, located next to the arch.
Weeks said since construction wrapped up, locals and tourists have been drawn back to the site.
“Since it has reopened, we’ve had quite a bit of community members and tourists alike coming and taking pictures underneath of it. So, yeah, it’s pretty exciting,” Weeks said.
City officials say the arch’s preservation will ensure it continues to welcome tourists and locals alike for generations to come.
The Main Street Arch connects the Daytona Beach Boardwalk to the pier and remains one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.