Beaufort County Capital Project

Sales Tax Commission

Recommendations
by
Town of Bluffton
Key Priorities
Bluffton Parkway Phase 5B
May River Initiatives
Bluffton Public Development Corporation
Bluffton Parkway Phase 5B
Description: Four-lane divided arterial roadway 2.5 miles in length

Cost: $28,000,000

Key Facts: This is the only major project South of the Broad that was
promised to the taxpayers in the last penny sales tax but was not built;
Roadway designed as part of route to I-95 via Jasper County Exit 3
Bluffton Parkway Phase 5B
Key Issues to Consider
No other funding sources currently in hand
Project opens up key commercial areas targeted for growth;
Tax revenue would increase with commercial development;
Construction of road and commercial properties would put revenue
in the local economy
Operations & maintenance costs would be similar to existing
Bluffton Parkway Phases 1-4
Short-term construction & engineering jobs required for this
overdue project; Long-term jobs would be in commercial
enterprises on sites opened up by Parkway

Bluffton Parkway Phase 5B
Key Issues to Consider (Continued)
Helps Beaufort County as a whole:
Transportation network enhanced via alternate parallel route to US 278
Proposed as part of continuous hurricane evacuation route serving Hilton Head
Island, Bluffton, and portions of unincorporated Beaufort County
Provides alternate routes out of neighborhoods with one entry point such as
Woodbridge and Shell Hall
Any studies were previously performed by Beaufort County prior
to inclusion of this project in the 2006 penny sales tax program



May River Initiatives
May River Initiatives
May River Watershed Action Plan
Action Item: Sewer Connections
Description: Protection of water quality by
providing sanitary sewer instead of septic tanks by
May River
Assessment: May River Watershed Sewer Master
Plan See map for six un-served areas in Beaufort
County and Town of Bluffton

May River Initiatives
May River Initiatives
May River Watershed Sewer Master Plan
Cost (3 of 6 phases)
Old Town Gravity Sewer - $2,600,000
Alljoy & Myrtle Island Vacuum Sewer -
$10,300,000
Stoney Creek Vacuum Sewer - $4,700,000


May River Initiatives
May River Watershed Action Plan
Action Item: Hydrology Projects
Description: Expansion of stormwater pilot
program with hydrology-based projects including
Rose Dhu Sub-Watershed Wetland Restoration and
Rose Dhu Sub-Watershed Pond Retrofits
Cost: $1,000,000

May River Initiatives
Key Issues to Consider
Not eligible for CDBG funding like other projects; Could fund
through taxes & fees but incremental approach could take decades
Revenue and property values are protected by preserving the river
Sewer O&M handled by BJWSA; Stormwater O&M by TOB
Construction & engineering jobs required for these key projects
Helps Beaufort County as a whole:
County residents beyond Bluffton use river for recreation, boating, swimming
County residents have jobs supported by the river (e.g., oystering, shrimping,
fishing, eco-tourism, etc.)
Preservation of river and recreational uses supports the quality of life indicator
used in economic development
Cost/benefit study not performed but cost of not doing projects to
preserve water quality should be clear


Bluffton Public Development Corp.
Multi-County Commerce Park
Action Item: Infrastructure Construction
Description: Design and construction of major
infrastructure including the ring road and northern
entrance at the Buckwalter Place Multi-County
Commerce Park (also known as the Multi-County
Industrial Park or MCIP)
Cost: $6,000,000

Bluffton Public Development Corp.
Bluffton Public Development Corp.
Key Issues to Consider
MCIP revenue stream can and Utility Tax Credits may
supplement the available funding; However, waiting for these two
sources could put off infrastructure improvements for years
attracting economic development requires product available now
Commerce park and the resultant economic development is
designed to increase tax base and tax revenue through business
attraction and retention
Once completed, the business parks POA will handle operations
& maintenance
Short-term construction & engineering jobs required both for this
infrastructure work as well as the construction of buildings and
facilities for businesses brought to the site; Long-term jobs would
be in commercial enterprises located in this commerce park


Bluffton Public Development Corp.
Key Issues to Consider (Continued)
Helps Beaufort County as a whole:
Creation of primary jobs brings revenue into the County as a whole
Taxpayers in municipalities also pay taxes to County
Economic development was identified as a key priority both by Beaufort
County and the Town of Bluffton
Cost/benefit study not yet performed but example of CareCore
National at this location provides key case illustrating positive
impact on Beaufort County


Other Priorities
Other priorities to be considered jointly
between County and Municipalities
Sidewalks and bike paths/leisure trails
Lighting along parkways and pathways
Additions, upgrades, improvements to parks
Improvements/expansion of Calhoun St. Dock
Acquisition/improvement of May River Park