The general contractor for Daytona International Speedways $400 million renovation has taken steps toward making good on its pledge to hire local companies to work on the project dubbed ‘Daytona Rising.” Barton Malow, the Michigan-based general contractor for Daytona Rising, has awarded contracts for work on the project to eight Volusia County companies and plans to award more after an October outreach forum for companies interested in becoming subcontractors, said Lenny Santiago, a spokesman for the Speedway. ‘Its quite a bit of work’ said Joe Zapert, president of Port Orange surveying firm Sliger & Associates, which has been hired to do surveying for the planned overhaul of the Speedways frontstretch grandstands. Improvements include new seating throughout the frontstretch grandstands, and more food venues, restrooms and concession stands, as well as construction of five new fan entryways. The Speedway broke ground on the project July 5 and estimates it will generate about 4,000 jobs before it is completed in early 2016. More contracts for work will be awarded in coming months. Barton Malow and the Speedway, which held a Daytona Rising subcontractor outreach forum in July that drew more than 200 people, decided to hold a second one in October because of the large number of companies expressing interest in working on the project, Santiago said. As was the case in July, Barton Malow and the Speedway say they will be giving preference to Volusia-Flagler companies and women- and minority-owned businesses.( Daytona Beach News Journal )
