Safe Harbor Marinas’ Proposed Expansion Rejected by Beaufort City
In a recent turn of events, Safe Harbor Marinas presented plans to the Beaufort City Council to extend the footprint and investment at the preexisting downtown Beaufort marina. The proposed $27 million expansion project was met with unanimous disapproval by the council and the public present at the meeting.
Doubling the Marina Size
The ambitious project by Safe Harbor Marinas aimed to double the number of slips at the dock from the current 76 to 146. They also proposed to increase the linear dock footage from 2,880 to 4,263 feet. According to Safe Harbor, these revisions are designed to better deal with tidal changes and improve safety. The existing dock system was slated to be replaced by a larger floating dock system.
Safe Harbor Marinas claimed to have already invested $840,000 in the current facilities and expressed their intention to “fix, replace and expand the marina.” The company anticipated these refurbishments would draw more people to use their facilities, leading to more visitors in the downtown area to frequent local stores and eateries.
Council Members and Public Response
The unanimous response from the council members as well as the public present was of absolute disinterest. They voiced their concerns, saying they preferred to enhance the current dock footprint than to expand it. This consensus was supported by their worries that augmenting the dock would not only obscure the exquisite water view, but it would also change the charm and allure of Beaufort city.
The Issue of Views
“These views that we have are something that we cannot buy. Other communities would love to have it,” remarked Neil Lipsitz, a Councilman. He further proclaimed his preference for visitors to enjoy the Beaufort River’s views over the sight of boats docked at the Downtown Marina.
Parking Trouble
Another concern highlighted by Lipsitz is the already prevalent parking issue in Beaufort. Lipsitz believes that doubling the number of boat slips will further aggravate the parking issue in the downtown vicinity. Another council member, Josh Scallate, agreed, noting the irresponsibility on both sides for signing the lease without considering the impact on parking.
Lessons for Safe Harbor
Scallate also advised Safe Harbor to mend their relationship with the Town of Port Royal. He pointed out that any conflict with Port Royal can translate into an issue with Beaufort City since the two are neighbors and interconnected.
In conclusion, Safe Harbor Marinas’ proposed expansion plan has been met with a resounding ‘no’. The council and the public have expressed clear intentions to preserve the city’s charm and tackle existing issues like parking instead of burdening the city with more problems.
