Crews can finally begin building a new Volusia County homeless shelter in Daytona Beach after county and city leaders broke ground today — but there's still more to be done.

The city said it looks like end of 2018 is when they'll open the shelter. The architect's plans still need to be finished, and they must select a contractor, but today they were just proud to get started.

With gold shovels in hand, there was finally a groundbreaking for a shelter expected to be the pathway out of homelessness, something businesses like Morris Green's family restaurant is looking forward to.

"When I normally come to work I mostly see the homeless [people] across the road which is kind of sad," said Morris Green, Banana Boat Restaurant.

Their restaurant is right across Beach Street, where many homeless people congregate and lay their heads.

"The fact that it's outside, it's a little bit heartbreaking that they don't have somewhere for them to actually rest or to be warm,” Green said. “Them being on the plaza here on the strip in front of a business, it's kind of unprofessional to see someone laying at your doorstep."

Businesses alike say something needed to be done.

That's where the new 16,000 square feet first step multi-service shelter comes in. It was tentatively expected to be done this month — now they're aiming for a year from now.

"Just stay working with the staff, working with the architect to insure that we move as quickly as possible, but we're not rushing the project. We never gave a definitive timeline. This is five years in the making," said Derrick Henry, Daytona Beach Mayor.

The city said the reason behind the wait is due to trying to make sure the construction of facility is done right.

"We decided to change the architect in large part because we wanted to go to a more hardened structure, one that we believe will be durable for a hurricane," Mayor Henry said.

For those like Green's family, who feeds the homeless frequently, he said he hopes this will help them sooner rather than later.

"I'm hoping that it'll be done like tomorrow or now," Green said.

Until the shelter is finished by the end of next year, the mayor says they'll continue to allow homeless people to sleep in the safe zone.

The safe zone area is only open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., that way they have time to leave to search for work.

The mayor said once the shelter is complete, they will transport homeless people to the shelter.

It will hold 100 people and provide three meals per day along education, mental health, and job services.