Beaufort Secures Design Contract for Vital Waterfront Park Repairs

The city of Beaufort has taken a significant step towards repairing the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park promenade. A team led by McSweeney Engineers, including Davis and Floyd and JMT, has been selected for the design and permitting phase. This 1,200-foot pathway has been inaccessible to the public since 2025 due to its unsafe underlying structure. The design contract, valued at approximately $4.7 million, is expected to be finalized in November or December. This cost represents about 7% of the estimated total construction expenses, which Bill Barna of McSweeney previously estimated at around $66 million. The design team anticipates completing 30% of the plans by May 2027, providing a clearer cost projection. Funding for the extensive repairs is being actively pursued. The city has secured $3 million from the state of South Carolina and $2 million from county accommodations tax for the design and permitting work. Additionally, Beaufort plans to sell the property at 1100 Boundary Street, currently housing a cybersecurity educational program, to the Beaufort Jasper Higher Education Commission for $2.3 million. Proceeds from the property sale will be allocated as a local match for federal grants, which are crucial for financing the overall construction. The cybersecurity program will continue to operate from the building as part of the sale agreement. Construction is slated to commence in October 2028, with the promenade potentially reopening to the public in 2029.