Beaufort’s crown jewel Waterfront Park is facing multi-millions in repair costs. McSweeney Engineering has informed the City that further encapsulation of deteriorated pilings is only a “band-aid”. The underwater support structure itself is described as “on its last leg” and “at the end of its service life”.
Officials Have Known For Years That Massive Repair Work Was Needed
In a 2014 comprehensive Inspection, officials were informed of deteriorated and broken pilings and the substructure was rated “fair” to “poor”.
A 2016 inspection revealed further deterioration and recommended encapsulation of certain pilings and warned against allowing vessels to moor against the west end of the park structure. Despite the warning, the City continued to permit cruise ships to moor alongside the park.
In 2018, 14 deteriorated pilings were encapsulated and in 2019, an additional 33 pilings were encapsulated. The encapsulation only served to preserve whatever strength was left in the damaged piling. The work did nothing to increase the load bearing strength of the damaged piles.
In 2023, there was a cruise ship “mooring incident” which displaced bricks and disconnected handrail posts. According to the latest McSweeney report, the lateral load created by the cruise ships is simply too risky.
Compounding the known structural issues, the buildup of silt under the structure makes it impossible to evaluate additional deterioration and damage. Accordingly, McSweeney concludes and advises the City to “initiate preliminary studies and secure funding to begin replacement of the structure”.
So, how will the City come up with the presently unknown millions of dollars needed to replace the park structure?
Hospitality Taxes Used To Underwrite Bonds For Southside Park
Hospitality taxes are the 2% fee tacked on to restaurant meals and prepared foods sold in the City. South Carolina Law requires that Hospitality taxes be used and expended for “tourism-related facilities”. Beaufort’s Waterfront Park is precisely the type of “tourism-related” facility envisioned by South Carolina law.
Earlier this year, the City essentially mortgaged its H-tax revenues to underwrite bonds for a project unrelated to tourism: the construction of the neighborhood Southside Park.
When challenged that the Southside Park had no tourism related purposes and was an improper expenditure of hospitality tax funds, the City merely asserted that if a single person from outside the City limits visits Southside Park, then it is a “tourism-related” facility.
Moreover, the City was warned that the H-tax funds would be properly needed to fund repairs to the Waterfront Park after a hurricane, for example. The underwater “hurricane” was there all-along and the City Council and administration knew it and ignored it.
Count on the Beaufort Insider to continue to report on this developing story.
“…the City merely asserted that if a single person from outside the City limits visits Southside Park, then it is a “tourism-related” facility.” How do we continue to trust this council? Let’s ignore the Waterfront PARK in favor of a new park. Located away from downtown. Keep spending the money on new, while ignoring what we have. That pretty much defines how municipal government works.
I find it quite interesting that our county and city leaders are all geared towards growth, and the larger tax base. When issues like this arise, they are scrambling to find ways to find the money to pay for it. This usually comes in the form of a “penny tax”, or robbing Peter to pay Paul. We need leaders that understand fiscal responsibility and vision….and to think outside the box
Perhaps we can suspend any further expenditures on the Ribaut Road disaster, and put those funds toward upgrading the waterfront park?
Perhaps we can increase the rental amounts used for the waterfront park and designate this revenue towards upgrading the waterfront park?
Perhaps we can begin to search for grants and bonds now rather than wait for the park to collapse and (God forbid) anyone gets injured or worse and sues the city for a disaster that could have been averted instead of city officials putting their heads in the sand and singing, “La, la, la, laa…”?
Let’s get some grown-ups that can work to resolve this project instead of looking for other frivolous ways to spend our money?
Can I get an amen?
I agree with Lynn Patterson a hundred percent..