Senator Tom Wright hand delivers $1.5 million for local historic preservation.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News 

The New Smyrna Beach City Commission received two big-dollar checks from Senator Tom Wright personally on Wednesday, August 11, in efforts to aid in funding the city’s restoration and stabilization of historical landmarks.

A check for $900,000.00 will fund the preservation of the 200-foot-long coquina retaining wall built in 1933 at Old Fort Park, while the second check for $600,000.00 will help fund a complete renovation of the Woman’s Club of New Smyrna, built in 1924.

Senator Wright, a New Smyrna Beach resident since 2004, has represented Florida’s Senate District 14, which covers parts of northern Brevard and southern Volusia counties since 2018.

Both local funding initiative requests were sent over to the senator’s office on January 28, earlier this year, by the city's Capital Improvement Projects Manager Michelle Vallance.

“The outcome for the City of New Smyrna Beach and its residents will be to showcase the importance of preserving these unique, historic, one-of-a-kind landmarks,” said Vallance. “By maintaining our current national standing with the U.S. Department of the Interior and National Park Service while also providing proper structural and aesthetic improvements, these facilities can continue to be enjoyed and recognized for many more years to come.”