By Cynthia Jenkins
Questions remain regarding construction of the two largest buildings ever built in downtown Beaufort as they move ahead despite pending legal appeals, lawsuits and a surprising lack of public information.
On Dec. 21, 2022, the City of Beaufort issued several building permits including construction of a four-story Marriott-affiliated hotel and a four-story parking garage on the residentially scaled Craven Street.
The parking garage is intended for customers of the Beaufort Inn and Marriott/Beaufort Inn and other properties owned by 303 Associates and/or Beaufort Inn, LLC. It’s not a public parking facility to alleviate Beaufort’s parking challenges.
In three months since the permits were issued there have been no public announcement, no news releases, and no community meetings informing the public that these massive projects have been permitted.
The building permits state that both structures are to be four-stories tall. As recently as February 8, however, the co-CEO of 303 Associates made a point of stating both structures were only three stories – interestingly, in a meeting about protecting the integrity of Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District.
The tourist-oriented hotel and conference complex will spread along Port Republic and Craven streets encompassing two blocks in what once was the heart of Beaufort’s African-American commercial district.
Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF) is not opposed to appropriately-scaled new development. And, HBF has never opposed the uses the developers plan for these properties. We are a part of the tourism community and we fully understand its economic value. We are concerned with the protection and preservation of Beaufort’s historic and architectural legacy.
HBF’s challenges of the Historic District Review Board approval of the two projects are still pending at the State Appellate Court level.
The recently-released draft National Park Service Condition and Integrity Study for the Beaufort National Historic Landmark District, notes that increasing development and tourism interest in Beaufort has brought more proposals for large infill structures.
“New buildings that are substantially taller or wider than their surrounding neighbors or have significantly more lot coverage …, are incompatible and a detriment to the overall integrity… within the Historic District.” the federal report stated.
As an example, the aggregate square footage of the pending parking garage alone is more than 170,000 square feet, the size of a Walmart Super Center.
As of this writing March 6, the city has chosen not to call an informational meeting to discuss the construction plans and mitigation plans for potential impacts of the lengthy construction process.
What can be done now that construction permits have been issued?
Let Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray and individual members of City Council know your thoughts, questions and concerns by calling 843-525-7070 or emailing Clerk to Council Traci Guldner at Tguldner@cityofbeaufort.org
Like liberty, the price of protecting historic districts is eternal vigilance.
Cynthia Jenkins is the executive director of Historic Beaufort Foundation and an acknowledged expert in preservation. In 2021, she received the prestigious Governor’s Award for Excellence in Preservation, the highest honor given by South Carolina in recognition of an individual’s significant achievements or landmark efforts in the support of historic preservation in the state.
