DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, FLa. – The Daytona Beach Shores City Commission is expected to consider a proposal Tuesday that could eventually ask voters whether the city should be renamed “The Shores.”
Commissioners are scheduled to discuss the first reading of the proposed ordinance during their 6 p.m. meeting. If approved on a second reading, the measure would appear on the November ballot for voters to decide.
Recommended Videos
According to the city, feedback gathered so far shows a majority of respondents support the name change. A city survey received more than 500 responses, with more than 65% favoring the proposal. The city promoted the survey on social media in April.
Some residents told News 6 they believe removing “Daytona Beach” from the city’s name would help distinguish it from neighboring Daytona Beach.
Sierra VanRij, who manages several vacation rental properties in Daytona Beach Shores, said visitors frequently confuse the two cities because of their similar names.
“It has been a little confusing,” VanRij said. “I manage a lot of Airbnbs, and when I have to tell them it’s not Daytona Beach, it’s Daytona Beach Shores, there are a lot of similar addresses.”
Resident Michel Macaluso said the change would better reflect the city’s identity.
“I think people just associate Daytona with something different,” Macaluso said. “The Shores is really nice and family-oriented.”
Others believe the city’s connection to the Daytona Beach name should remain.
Michael Smith, who said he was born and raised in the area, said the name recognition is valuable.
“I kind of would like to stick with Daytona Beach only because everybody in America and the world knows the name Daytona Beach,” Smith said.
The city estimates the name change would cost between $244,000 and $277,000. The expenses would include updating items such as city signage, uniforms and other materials.