DeLand City Commission to Decide Fate of Decades-Vacant Volusia County Jail

Local business owners eager for change as redevelopment plans face another public hearing.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:52pm

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A minimalist studio still life featuring a collection of sleek, polished architectural models and building materials, conceptually representing the abstract ideas of urban redevelopment and community revitalization.As a decades-old vacant jail awaits its fate, local business owners hope the city's decision will unlock new opportunities to revitalize downtown DeLand.DeLand Today

The future of the old Volusia County Jail in downtown DeLand is once again in the hands of city commissioners, as they prepare to hold a rezoning hearing on a redevelopment proposal. The jail has sat empty since closing in 1987, and local business owners are hopeful for a new use that could revitalize the area, whether through a mixed-use plaza or a rehabilitated mixed-use living space and market.

Why it matters

The fate of the vacant jail has been a long-standing issue for the DeLand community, with previous redevelopment plans facing delays and setbacks. This latest hearing represents a critical juncture, as the city weighs competing visions for the property's future and its potential impact on the surrounding downtown area.

The details

Local developer Glasshouse Square has submitted plans to transform the jail structure into a plaza featuring two mixed-use buildings and green space with a splash pad. However, the road to this hearing has been anything but smooth, with the city initially selecting Glasshouse Square as the developer in 2018, only to reject their rezoning application in 2023. Glasshouse Square then took the city to court, and a court order is now requiring the commission to reconsider the proposal. Meanwhile, local business owner Jeff Shepherd has submitted his own proposal to purchase the property and rehabilitate it into a mixed-use living space and market.

  • The jail has sat empty since closing in 1987.
  • The city took possession of the building in 2018 and selected Glasshouse Square as the developer.
  • In 2023, city commissioners rejected the developer's application to rezone the property, effectively halting the project.
  • Glasshouse Square responded by taking the city to court, and a court order is now requiring the commission to reconsider the proposal.
  • The DeLand City Commission meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Glasshouse Square

A local developer that submitted plans to transform the old Volusia County Jail into a plaza featuring two mixed-use buildings and green space with a splash pad.

Jeff Shepherd

A local business owner who has submitted a proposal to purchase the property and rehabilitate it into a mixed-use living space and market with several vendors.

Christa Yates

The owner of Ms. Preppy Pants, a downtown DeLand shop, who believes the property should be transformed into a beautiful green space for families to enjoy.

Taylor Bass

The owner of Bake Chop restaurant, who is ready for change and believes the property must be redeveloped, regardless of the specific plan.

DeLand City Commission

The governing body that will decide the fate of the old Volusia County Jail property during the upcoming rezoning hearing.

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What they’re saying

“If we're not going to use it for anything, why not make it a beautiful green space that we can all enjoy — but especially for families, because we don't have a ton of spaces for families to enjoy downtown.”

— Christa Yates, Owner, Ms. Preppy Pants

“At this point, it's got to go, so regardless, we're looking to the future instead of just being stuck in the past.”

— Taylor Bass, Owner, Bake Chop restaurant

“I understand it takes time. Now, this was extraordinarily more time than it should have taken.”

— Jeff Shepherd, Owner of several buildings in the neighboring Artisan Alley

What’s next

If the DeLand City Commission denies Glasshouse Square's rezoning plan again, the project will not move forward. Glasshouse Square did not respond to a request for comment, so it's unclear if they would pursue further legal action. Meanwhile, Jeff Shepherd has expressed continued interest in his own proposal to purchase and rehabilitate the property if the Glasshouse Square plan is rejected.

The takeaway

The long-standing debate over the future of the old Volusia County Jail in downtown DeLand has reached a critical juncture, as the city commission prepares to weigh competing visions for the property's redevelopment. The outcome of this hearing will have significant implications for the revitalization of the surrounding downtown area, with local business owners eager for a resolution that can breathe new life into the vacant structure.