New Smyrna Beach Redevelopment Project Sparks Opportunity and Concern
- Mimi McKee
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 5
A major New Smyrna Beach redevelopment project could transform a long-vacant former railway maintenance yard into a new retail destination anchored by Sprouts Farmers Market and T.J. Maxx.
At a public meeting held on May 12, 2026, city commissioners voted 4-to-1 to rezone one of the city’s largest undeveloped commercial properties from Industrial to Planned Unit Development (PUD) for a proposed Sprouts Farmers Market and T.J. Maxx-anchored retail project.
The property is located at the intersection of State Road 44 and South Myrtle Avenue, 3 miles from the beach.
Conceptual site plans submitted by GBT Realty show a proposed retail center featuring a 23,262-square-foot Sprouts Farmers Market, a 24,000-square-foot T.J. Maxx, smaller retail spaces, outparcels and more than 300 parking spaces along South Myrtle Avenue.
New Smyrna Beach Redevelopment Planned for Former Railway Property
The former Florida East Coast Railway property is designated as a brownfield site. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), brownfields are properties where redevelopment may be complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination, often tied to previous industrial or commercial use.
“The site has remained undeveloped for the past 50 plus years because of contamination,” said Brad Gifford, New Smyrna Beach local and Commercial Associate with NAI Realvest/Charles Wayne Properties. Gifford has represented the site and current owner for over a decade.
“We have had the site under contract a handful of times.”
He described environmental cleanup as both difficult and costly, noting that many contaminated properties often become financially stagnant because lenders are hesitant to finance them.
“The developer is willing to clean up the contamination on their own,” added Gifford.
According to the FDEP, petroleum contamination from former rail and industrial operations can require removal of contaminated soil, groundwater monitoring and other remediation measures before redevelopment can move forward.
Community Reacts to New Smyrna Beach Redevelopment Proposal
Online discussion surrounding the proposed development reflected a broader divide within the community, as residents, former residents and visitors debated whether the project represents needed redevelopment or another step toward overdevelopment.
While supporters described the proposal as an economic opportunity for a long-vacant property, critics raised concerns about traffic congestion, infrastructure, pedestrian safety and the future character of one of the city’s primary gateway corridors.
Growth Concerns Continue as New Smyrna Beach Redevelopment Moves Forward
Among those voicing concerns is Volusia County Council District 3 candidate and New Smyrna Beach native Bryon White, whose “Slow the Growth” campaign platform focuses on conservation, infrastructure and managing urban sprawl.
“From the preliminary renderings, the project looks like any other suburban strip mall in America,” White said. “I think the developer can do better than that, and I think we deserve better.”
He also raised concerns about the flexibility allowed within the PUD zoning and whether future design changes could occur without additional public review.
Representatives for GBT Realty declined to comment on the project at this time, stating the company typically waits until the approval process is complete before discussing developments publicly.
“Discipline growth or growth will discipline you,” White said.
He is encouraging residents to continue participating in the approval process as the project moves into future site plan review, where concerns involving traffic, pedestrian safety, landscaping and design standards may still be addressed.
View conceptual renderings and project details for the proposed New Smyrna Beach retail development by GBT Realty by clicking here.
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