A community-driven project has begun in Historic Midtown which celebrates local pioneers, history, culture and neighborhood pride. The initiative, Midtown’s Historic Icons Pave the Way, honors nearly 100 local icons whose contributions helped shape Midtown and the city as a whole.
The project, produced in partnership with the Daytona Beach Housing Authority, will create a welcoming gateway connection between Dr. James Huger Park at the John H. Dickerson Community Center and the adjacent Palmetto Park housing community. Opened in 1975, the John H. Dickerson Community Center has long served as a cornerstone for recreation, education and civic life and is a designated stop on the city’s Black Heritage Trail.
Planned improvements include a pedestrian-focused intersection at Henry Butts Drive and Hawk Street, enhanced crosswalks and sidewalk artwork featuring portraits and names of historic athletic and community icons from the Palmetto Park and Caroline Village neighborhoods. Local artists with Art Army are leading the creation of sidewalk art and monument elements that will visually tell Midtown’s story and preserve its legacy for future generations.
Many of the individuals being honored were previously featured on the city’s Black History Month banners along International Speedway Boulevard, and their stories reflect Midtown’s long-standing role as a center of Black culture, education and leadership. For decades, Dr. James Huger Park and the surrounding facilities have hosted youth programs, celebrations and community events that continue to strengthen neighborhood identity.
Residents and stakeholders played a key role in shaping the project through community meetings, workshops and public input, ensuring the final design reflects neighborhood voices and values.
The community is invited to attend the project reveal on Saturday, March 14, at the John H. Dickerson Community Center, 308 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.