DBCC Approves First Step Shelter Contract

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Daytona Beach, FL - A local construction company will build the 15,000-square-foot First Step Shelter after Daytona Beach City Commissioners voted 6-1 to hire APM Construction Corp of New Smyrna Beach. Many hours of debate, more than five years time and a few failed attempts have gone into getting a homeless shelter for Daytona Beach. Commissioner Rob Gilliland was the lone dissent. During the discussion at Wednesday night's meeting, Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Jim Cameron asked the commission to approve the contract with APM. He also advised that area business owners are behind the First Step Shelter and that the Chamber is working on ways to get private money to help with the funding. A homeless man, Doyle Lewis, told commissioners that the contract needs to be approved. He said every time things get changed, it takes more time. Doyle also thanked the commission for adding a kitchen to the plans, even though it added more than $200,000 to the costs.