By Lolita Huckaby
BEAUFORT
Beaufort County Council members weren’t the only Lowcountry political body last week scratching their heads about what to do with a failed transportation tax referendum.
Because the one percent sales tax referendum went down in defeat – 55 to 45 percent – the county no longer has the $190 million promised as a matching fund to the State Infrastructure Bank for the much-debated U.S. 278 Corridor Improvement plan, a plan which includes a replacement bridge to Hilton Head Island.
The SIB had pledged $120 million to Beaufort County for a portion of the project. But because Beaufort County voters didn’t buy the idea of another penny sales tax, well, that state money might go elsewhere.
Sen. Tom Davis, R-Bluffton, met with the SIB board last week and, according to reports, urged the agency to give the county more time to come up with options. Options, which according to the Post and Courier report of the meeting, include possible property tax increases.
Now the County Council members made it clear during their discussion of what to do that property tax increases were NOT an option. We’ll see how this plays out. After all, if voters say they don’t trust their elected County Council members, maybe a tax increase will be necessary to pay for that bridge to Hilton Head Island.
Remember, the voters returned all three of the incumbent County Council members on the ballot this month to office. Is that not some sign of “trust?”
One other tidbit coming from last week’s SIB meeting — Charleston County representatives were on hand to lobby for mercy since their transportation sales tax referendum failed also. And that rejection places the extension of the I-526 Mark Clark Expressway in jeopardy.
Apparently, our neighbors in Hardeeville did well at the SIB meeting. While Jasper County voters supported their transportation referendum, the county still needs an estimated $35 million from the state to further finance the proposed Exit 3 on I-95.
Again, the Post and Courier reported they got it. Plus they’re getting a Buc-ee’s.
Checking out a parking challenge
BEAUFORT – Third-party parking collection companies, such as the one contracted with by the city of Beaufort, may not be legal, according to a recent opinion from the S.C. Attorney General.
A.G. Alan Wilson’s office issued a statement last week that the system used by Isle of Palms in Charleston County may be in violation of state law.
The question was raised by a citizens group that has been challenging public beach access regulations in the beachfront town.
The city of Beaufort has contracted with ParkBeaufort, a subsidiary of SP+, for parking services, which includes writing tickets and collecting revenue, since 2011.
City Manager Scott Marshall said the city’s lawyers would review the opinion but noted the Attorney General’s opinion is just that, an opinion, not a legal ruling.
Here’s a good idea
BEAUFORT – Since March, the former TJ Maxx and PetSmart buildings located in Cross Creek Plaza on the west side of Robert Smalls Parkway, have been empty.
Employees of the chain stores boxed up their wares and moved across the parkway to the new Beaufort Station retail center.
So Cross Creek, still home to Big Lots, Belks department store, a Walmart Super Center and others, has several thousand square feet of vacant floor space.
Why not a bowling alley? Local bowlers have been lamenting the loss of Ribaut Lanes since it shuttered its doors in 2021.
It has plenty of parking, would be a plus for the adjoining eateries and doesn’t require a squadron of employees like so many retail shops need.
With some thoughtful planning, the space might even incorporate a small movie theater, another lacking amenity for this community that hosts an international film festival.
Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort Today, she prided herself in trying to stay neutral and unbiased. As a columnist, these are her opinions. Her goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com.
