Raul Dominguez returns as major downtown drainage work continues, Waterfront Park project looms
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Eight months after resigning while one of the city’s largest downtown infrastructure projects was underway, Raul Dominguez is returning to lead Beaufort’s capital improvement program as work continues downtown and another major undertaking at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park looms.
The City of Beaufort announced Thursday, Aug. 6 that Dominguez had been hired as its Capital Improvements Project Director. His first day back in the position was Monday, Aug. 10.
Dominguez previously served as the city’s capital projects director for about 15 months before resigning in December 2025, citing personal reasons.
His departure came at a particularly busy time for the city’s capital improvement program and less than a month after construction began on the Charles and Craven streets stormwater project downtown.
The project, which includes installation of new stormwater infrastructure intended to alleviate chronic flooding, drew criticism from some downtown business owners after construction disrupted traffic near Bay Street during the 2025 holiday shopping season.
Last-minute changes to the construction schedule, including the earlier-than-expected closure of the Bay and Charles streets intersection, caught some businesses off guard. The city said at the time the change was necessary after excavation uncovered conditions requiring additional engineering evaluation.
The city also faced criticism over communication surrounding the construction and the removal of a live oak tree to accommodate the new stormwater infrastructure.
At the time of his resignation, it was unclear whether criticism surrounding the project played any role in Dominguez’s decision to leave. City Manager Scott Marshall said Dominguez cited personal reasons for his departure.
Now, Dominguez is returning while work on the downtown drainage system is still underway.
As of Aug. 10, weather had delayed base paving on Craven Street between Charles and West streets. The work was rescheduled for Aug. 11, with the road expected to reopen after the asphalt cures and roadway markings are completed.
And another major downtown capital project is on the horizon.
The city is moving forward with plans for the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park relieving platform, a project intended to restore safe public access along the waterfront. The riverside portion of the park has been closed since June 2025 because of structural concerns.
The city held a public meeting in April to present and discuss design concepts for the project, with McSweeney Engineers, Davis & Floyd and city staff participating.
The project has since moved further toward implementation. Beaufort City Council approved a resolution supporting a design type for the relieving platform, and the city issued a request for qualifications in July seeking professional services for a design-bid-build project. The city’s solicitation describes the project as an effort to restore safe public access to one of Beaufort’s most important civic spaces.
Dominguez’s return puts him back at the helm of the city’s capital improvement program as those projects and others move forward.
In announcing his hiring, the city pointed to Dominguez’s familiarity with Beaufort’s infrastructure projects and his more than 28 years of experience in community management and operations in the private sector. Dominguez also served 12 years on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“We’re excited to welcome Raul back to the City of Beaufort,” Marshall said in the city’s announcement. “His knowledge of our organization and ongoing capital projects allows him to make an immediate impact as we continue investing in our community.”
Marshall has also defended both the hiring process and Dominguez’s previous work for the city.
Marshall said the position was publicly advertised and Dominguez competed against other candidates through the city’s interview and selection process.
According to Marshall, Assistant City Manager Eric Claussen led the process. Claussen joined the city after Dominguez’s departure and, to Marshall’s knowledge, had no prior professional history with him.
Claussen joined the City of Beaufort as assistant city manager in December 2025, shortly after Dominguez left.
Following the interview process, Claussen recommended Dominguez for the position and Marshall approved the recommendation.
“I am confident in that process and in the decision that was made,” Marshall said.
Marshall also defended Dominguez’s performance during his previous tenure with the city.
“During my prior experience working with him, I found him to be highly effective in managing major construction and capital improvement projects,” Marshall said.
Marshall said Dominguez’s familiarity with the city’s capital program, combined with his professional experience and the assessment made through the competitive selection process, supported the decision to bring him back.
Dominguez said in the city’s announcement that he is looking forward to returning and picking up the work that began during his first tenure.
“Sometimes life leads us in different directions, and it’s not often that you are fortunate enough to rejoin a team such as Team Beaufort,” Dominguez said. “I look forward to continuing the work started in 2024 and continuing the great work in progress by the staff and contractors.”
Dominguez originally joined the city in September 2024.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.