Momentum is building around the vision of bringing a higher-education presence to Ormond Beach.
I recently met with Dr. Thomas LoBasso, president of Daytona State College, to discuss the prospect of establishing a local annex. The meeting was substantive, forward-looking, and grounded in shared recognition of the transformative role accessible education plays in shaping strong communities. While this process remains in its early stages, I am encouraged to report that the conversation was constructive and engaged. Importantly, the idea was met with openness and thoughtful consideration. A definitive path will require continued collaboration, but the dialogue has clearly begun.
Our discussion centered on the long-term strategic value of expanding educational access within our region. A local campus would create meaningful opportunity for residents, strengthen workforce development, and reinforce economic resilience. It would also position Ormond Beach as a forward-thinking community that invests in human capital and sustainable growth rather than short-term solutions.
I also spoke with City Manager Brian Rademacher, who expressed clear interest in the concept. He emphasized that thoughtful infill development is a priority for the city as it seeks to evolve responsibly while preserving the character that residents value. The adaptive reuse of existing structures aligns directly with this vision and represents a disciplined, fiscally responsible approach to growth. Mr. Rademacher conveyed his support for continued exploration and indicated his willingness to assist where appropriate as discussions progress.
These conversations signal the beginning of a deliberate and coordinated effort. Bringing a higher-education institution into a community is not an overnight undertaking, but it is precisely the type of initiative that creates enduring stability, elevates economic vitality, and expands opportunity for future generations.
The next phase will involve deeper engagement with stakeholders, careful evaluation of potential sites, and ongoing dialogue with residents. I remain committed to advancing this effort with transparency, discipline, and collaboration.
Ormond Beach has long demonstrated that it can lead with purpose and foresight. The opportunity before us is to build upon that tradition — strengthening our city through education, strategic reuse, and responsible growth. I look forward to sharing further progress as this initiative continues to gain traction.
Respectfully,
William J. Sanchez
Candidate for Ormond Beach Commission Zone 3
Resident of Ormond Beach
Date: January 23, 2026
Dear Ormond Beach Residents,
Communities are shaped not only by what they build, but by how they choose to use what they already have.
I am currently working with a group focused on bringing a higher-education institution, in the form of a university or college annex, to Ormond Beach. Importantly, this effort would utilize an existing building — no new construction is contemplated or required.
A school changes the character of an area immediately and measurably. It alters traffic patterns by replacing transient or idle activity with predictable, purposeful movement — students attending classes, faculty and staff working regular hours, and families engaging with the surrounding neighborhood. This kind of daily rhythm creates stability and accountability in places where it may currently be lacking.
The presence of a properly policed educational institution also has a direct impact on public safety. Campuses require consistent law enforcement coordination, regular patrols, and defined security standards. As a result, areas surrounding schools become more actively monitored and less conducive to long-term encampments or unmanaged activity. While homelessness is a complex issue that requires compassion and broader solutions, it is also a reality that active, well-policed areas reduce its concentration by virtue of oversight and enforcement.
A school does more than educate — it activates its surroundings. Local businesses benefit from a new, reliable source of customers. Restaurants, cafés, convenience stores, and service providers see increased daytime and evening activity driven by students and staff who live, study, and spend locally. This kind of economic input is steady, recurring, and rooted in the community.
Equally important, a local campus provides opportunity for our own young adults. It offers a nearby pathway to higher education without the financial or logistical burden of leaving the area. Keeping students local strengthens families, retains talent, and reinforces Ormond Beach as a city invested in its future workforce.
This initiative is not about expansion for its own sake. It is about smart reuse, improved safety, economic vitality, and educational access — achieved through thoughtful planning and responsible stewardship of existing assets.
I look forward to engaging the community as this effort progresses and to working collaboratively toward solutions that strengthen Ormond Beach for residents today and generations to come.
Respectfully,
William J. Sanchez
Ormond Beach