City of Beaufort | February 2020

Your monthly news & updates

Welcome to the City of Beaufort's monthly newsletter. Any feedback? Please send to Kathleen Williams, kwilliams@cityofbeaufort.org.

City of Beaufort

Tell us what you think: Playground equipment The City of Beaufort will soon be replacing the aging playground equipment at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park – and we're seeking input from the community. The current playground was installed in 2006. The equipment is under repair more often, and parts are harder to find. The new equipment is expected to cost $250,000-$300,000, half of which is being paid for through a grant.  Residents have until Feb. 6 to fill out the survey. Click here.

Lots of construction in Beaufort in 2019 2019 was a banner year for construction in the City of Beaufort. Permits were issued for a total of 142 single-family and multifamily homes or apartments (including workforce housing), while eight commercial buildings were approved. This represents a 100% increase in residential units compared to the previous year. The total value of commercial development was $44 million, and residential construction was almost $22 million. Read more here

Legislation would have severe impact on City's budget Proposed legislation that would change how cities in South Carolina charge for business licenses would have a severe impact on the City of Beaufort’s budget, according to Finance Director Kathy Todd. Under the proposed legislation, the City of Beaufort would lose at least $1.6 million annually in business license revenue. Read more here Are you ready for the 2020 Census? 2020 is a Leap Year, a presidential election year -- and the year when all U.S. residents are counted. That's right -- the Census, conducted every 10 years, is coming up. It's important to the City of Beaufort, Beaufort County and the State of South Carolina that the count is accurate. To find out more about the 2020 Census, go here.

Chief Bertholf named assistant city manager City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Chief Reece Bertholf was just named assistant city manager for Beaufort. He will assist City Manager Bill Prokop in a number of projects and initiatives, and will also retain his Fire Department responsibilities. Congratulations, Chief! Read more here

Beaufort sees potential in cybersecurity

Under a plan supported by City Council at its Regular Session on Jan. 28, the City of Beaufort could become a center of cybersecurity expertise, with the potential to offer high-paying jobs to exiting military as well as career opportunities to hometown graduates. The South Coast Cyber Center represents stakeholders from the City, the University of South Carolina Beaufort, Technical College of the Low Country, the Beaufort Digital Corridor, Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation, and retired military. Under this ambitious plan, TCL and USCB would offer certificates and degrees in cybersecurity and cyber defense, while the Beaufort Digital Corridor would offer bootcamps and mentoring to startups. Read more here

Students of the month

Aria Lovejoy Congratulations to Aria Lovejoy, 7, a second grade student at Robert Smalls International Academy. Aria was proclaimed the Student of the Month in character education on Jan. 14 by the Beaufort City Council. Respect and gratitude were the words of the month, and Aria embodies both of those attributes. Aria, above, is joined above by her mom, Brandi Richards, and Mayor Pro Tem Mike McFee. Hannah Gartlan Congratulations to Hannah Gartlan, a senior at Beaufort High School. On Jan. 28, City Council recognized Hannah as Beaufort High School Student of the Month, and in particular for demonstrating compassion as part of character education in the schools. Hannah is congratulated by Mayor Billy Keyserling, above.

Have you seen our new public art?

Check out the Cultural District Advisory Board's major public art project -- six benches placed throughout the downtown, each telling a different story about Beaufort. Above, artists Sandy Dimke and Tom Van Steenbergh at their bench, outside the Santa Elena History Center. Read more here

'Before I Die' at Waterfront Park "Before I Die" is a global public art project that will be presented by the Beaufort Cultural District Advisory Board from Feb. 7-21 at the Waterfront Park Pavilion. A large chalkboard will be stationed at the Pavilion. People are invited to write their personal expressions on the board until it is full; the board can be erased and then filled again. The project was begun by an artist in New Orleans and now there are more than 5,000 boards around the world. Read more here

February highlights

ENGAGE BEAUFORT: Join USCB Center for the Arts as it begins ENGAGE BEAUFORT, a monthly series of forums on topics that impact our lives. “What Stands Between Us: The Danger of a Single Story” by Dr. Gloria Holmes, will be presented at 6 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St. The forum is free. More info: uscbcenterforthearts.com; 843-521-3145. LADY'S ISLAND: Lady's Island Plan Implementation Committee will meet at 3 p.m. Feb. 6 at Beaufort County Council executive conference room. Preservation Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 24 at Lady's Island Airport. Public is welcome at both meetings. Website FIRST FRIDAY: Come to downtown Beaufort on Feb. 7 to enjoy February First Friday! Festivities happen 5-8 p.m. JIM CROW LECTURE: The Sons and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War are sponsoring a Black History Month presentation on the Jim Crow era at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Grand Army of the Republic Hall, 706 Newcastle Street. The speaker is Andrea Allen. FILM FEST: The 14th annual Beaufort International Film Festival will be held Feb. 18-23. Award categories include features, documentaries (feature and short), short films, student films, screenplays, animation, comedy and audience choice. Also, winners will be named for best actor, best actress, and best director. Screenings are held at USCB’s Center for the Arts. Last year, more than 16,000 film lovers attended. More info: https://www.beaufortfilmfestival.com. VERDIER LECTURE: Lowcountry biologist Travis Folk will speak at the Verdier House Dinner & a Lecture Series at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 801 Bay St. Folk will use the photography of David Soliday, who specializes in photographs of the Carolina Lowcountry, to demonstrate the importance of rural conservation. More info: 843-379-3331.  SPRING TOUR: Tickets are now available for Historic Beaufort Foundation’s Spring Architects Tour, which will be held on Saturday, March 14. More info: https://www.historicbeaufort.org/shop. MORE BEAUFORT EVENTS

No changes in schedule for Waste Pro on Presidents Day WastePro, which provides trash and recycling services to Beaufort, will have a normal pickup schedule on President's Day, Monday, Feb. 17. Waste Pro website

Meetings in February

City Council 5 p.m. Feb. 11 Work Session 7 p.m. Feb. 11 Regular Session 5 p.m. Feb. 25 Work Session 7 p.m. Feb. 25 Regular Session All meetings are at City Hall. The City is holding a retreat Feb. 18-19 at the St. Helena Public Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. The public is welcome to attend. City calendar City boards, task forces Historic Review Board, 2 p.m. Feb.12 Design Review Board, 2 p.m. Feb. 13 Neighborhood Association, 10 a.m. Feb. 19 Metropolitan Planning Commission, 5 p.m., Feb. 19 Cultural District Advisory Board, 2 p.m., Feb. 20 Zoning Board of Appeals, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24 Parks & Tree Advisory Committee, 3 p.m. Feb. 27 All meetings are at City Hall.

Why they love serving The Beaufort Police Department continues to look for candidates who want to enjoy a rewarding career while making a difference in the community they serve. Click on the video to find out what why your officers serve, and what it's like to be a member of the Beaufort PD.