The city of Beaufort, South Carolina, has commenced construction work along the waterfront area behind the Henry C. Chambers Park pavilion, a project that may disrupt this busy locale for several months.

The construction involves clearing a strip of land stretching from the water’s edge to the Bay Street entrance of the marina parking lot, necessitating the removal of everything in its path.

This includes a historic tree, existing brick pathways, and any underground obstacles that coincide with the century-old pipes slated for renovation.

City officials have assured the public that the tree will be replanted, and the pathways will be rebuilt once the project is completed.

These efforts are part of the city’s nearly $7 million Charles-Craven stormwater project, funded by federal grants, and are scheduled for completion by May.

This initiative is being carried out in conjunction with another stormwater improvement project within the historic residential district.

 The combined price tag of both projects is around $13 million.

“This is really a large project for the city.  It’s a large investment and we’re replacing 100-year-old pipe with newer, better materials, longer lasting,” said Raul Dominguez, the Capitol Improvements Director for the City.

The 48-inch historic stormwater pipe will be replaced with a new 72-inch pipe.

Dominguez said that will increase the longevity of the city’s stormwater drainage, which previously struggled with sediment blockage and flooding.

The city previously had plans to start at the Charles Craven intersection and work their way down to the waterfront.

Dominguez said they are now starting at the waterfront and working their way upwards toward Charles and Craven to make sure everything lines up correctly, avoiding mistakes that could cause permit or alignment problems later on.

With the waterfront being phase one, that means for several months, areas like the main entrance to the marina parking lot, and the main pathway to Henry C. Chambers Park, could be inaccessible.

The city confirmed that construction should not interfere with tourist traffic and downtown operations, but business owners said they’re on edge with the combination of the waterfront shelf closure, the economy and now this project.

“We’ve already met with the stakeholders, the owners, business owners, the tour guides, residents one on one to get out the message of what the project is going to entail,” said Domiguez. “We are going to be communicating almost on a daily basis because, as you know, construction is construction and things change.”

The next phase of the project will take place at the intersection of Bay and Charles Street.

Dominguez said that phase is also expected to last for a few months.

The city said they’ll continue to communicate with business owners and residents to keep impacts as small as possible.