PORT ORANGE, Fla. – City leaders in Port Orange are restarting their search this week for a developer to bring a long-awaited Riverwalk project to life after the original developer walked away.
The project aims to transform a 10-acre site just north of the Dunlawton Bridge into a bustling area with shops, apartments, restaurants and entertainment venues. The city hopes the development will become a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike.
Paul Hartley, who owns a coffee shop in the area and hosts food truck events to help generate momentum, said the location’s views are a major draw.
“The attraction is the views and location. I think it’s probably the best in Volusia County,” Hartley said.
Though disappointed the previous developer pulled out, Hartley hopes his efforts will show why building a Riverwalk district here would be worthwhile.
The original plan, which included nearly $200 million in investment, was scrapped when the developer missed a 2025 deadline to submit site plans.
Mike Springer, a city spokesman, said the city now owns the entire 10-acre property, which simplifies negotiations for a new developer.
“Whoever wants to come in, they’re going to be submitting their proposals and their designs for it,” Springer said.
He added that high interest rates likely played a role in the previous developer’s decision to withdraw.
“As we’re looking at the economy hopefully improving, we’re starting to see interest rates drop, construction supplies hopefully start to stabilize, that could put us in a really good position going forward to find the right person to come in and develop the property,” Springer said.
Once the city advertises the opportunity and selects a new developer, a new timeline will be established for when construction could begin.