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County issues call to artists as part of Courthouse art in public places

With construction of the Volusia County Courthouse continuing on schedule, the County has issued a call to qualified artists interested in creating pieces for the new facility. According to County Public Art Administrator Dona Cowden DeMarsh, the Art in Public Places Committee (APPC) has reviewed construction plans and has identified numerous sites for two-dimensional artwork in the interior of the facility and several three-dimensional sites for the exterior of the building.

   The County's Art in Public Places ordinance requires one-half of one percent to one percent of the construction cost of County buildings be set aside for acquiring artwork for permanent display. The County Council has allocated $250,000 to be used for art at the $45.5-million facility.
   This summer, the APPC will review slides from qualified artists who meet the established criteria. A limited number of artists will be invited to submit conceptual proposals. Final selection and approval will occur by the end of the year.

The Volusia County Courthouse, 123 W. Alabama Ave., DeLand, is scheduled to open December 2001.

County, SJRWMD agreement to expand trail from Gemini Springs

An extension of the Spring-to-Spring Trail may be on the horizon, thanks to an agreement between Volusia County and the St. Johns River Water Management District. The intergovernmental pact will result in co-management of 976 acres that will connect Gemini Springs and Lake Monroe Park, according to Bill Gardner, Volusia County Parks and Recreation project coordinator.
   "This will give the County the opportunity to expand the existing multi-use trail that runs between Gemini Springs and DeBary Hall," Gardner said. "It will extend down to Lake Monroe Park and add 1.5 miles of new trail. Primitive camping, nature trails and wildlife observation towers also will be provided."
   Construction could begin as early as next year.
   The acreage recently was acquired by the District. The land can be seen from the west side of Interstate 4 between the DeBary/Deltona exit and the St. Johns River bridge.

Anthropological Society gets grant to study Volusia's sugar mill runs

Volusia's nine existing sugar mill ruins will be the subject of a preservation study, a result of a grant awarded to the Volusia Anthropological Society (VAS) by the Florida Department of State and the Florida Historic Preservation Advisory Council.
   "The concentration of sugar mill ruins in Volusia County is unique in Florida," said Jay Bushnell, VAS President. "The Colonial and territorial history of our county is a hidden story that few people know about."
   Bushnell said the project was ranked second in priority for projects of its type by the Advisory Council. "Several members expressed their support and enthusiasm during the review."
   The $20,000 state grant will be combined with a $5,000 contribution from the Volusia Historic Preservation Board and in-kind services provided by VAS to complete the study.
   According to Volusia County Historic Preservation Planner Tom Scofield, the VAS will be working closely with the owners of the ruins and a preservation specialist to assess the condition of the ruins, compile a history of the plantations associated with the sugar mills and recommend preservation actions.
   "This is an example of the type of partnerships the ECHO initiative needs to move things forward," Scofield said. "The sugar mill sites stand out as important heritage resources that people of Volusia County want to see interpreted and preserved as expressed by attendees at the ECHO public forums."

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Volusia County Government