BY BRANDON HONIG, The Beaufort Gazette
Published Tuesday, August 29, 2006

BEAUFORT -- The Beaufort City Council gave final approval Monday for the Boundary Street Master Plan, a vision to make the gateway to the city "one of the most memorable streets in America."

The improvements planned for the Boundary Street corridor aim to increase traffic capacity and safety on Boundary Street; create a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere; set aside green space; and mix retail shops with hotels, housing, office space and municipal buildings.

In a 3-2 vote, the City Council adopted those improvements as part of Beaufort's comprehensive plan, which outlines the council's long-term vision for Beaufort. The individual components of the Boundary Street plan still must be reviewed by the council before being implemented.

The Boundary Street proposal calls for between $4.5 million and $5 million to be spent building a raised, landscaped median on Boundary Street with an additional $7 million to $8 million spent constructing a parallel street network north of Boundary.

The county has set aside about $8.3 million, raised through road impact fees, to put toward the Boundary Street projects. About $7 million will be split between the median and parallel-street projects, with the remainder being used for project design, assistant city manager Matt Horn said.

The city's plan also calls for spending $4.5 million to $5.5 million to improve sidewalks and pedestrian conditions, $400,000 to create a marsh-front walking and biking path, and $2 million to $3 million to build a central park.

The estimate for park does not include the acquisition of land or demolition of structures. The park is envisioned for the "current general location" of Riverview Baptist Church, Carolina Cove Executive Center, Enmark gas station and La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant.

Costs also have not yet been projected for two multi-lane roundabouts proposed for the intersections of Boundary Street with Ribaut Road and Robert Smalls Parkway.

Aside from the road impact fees, money for the master plan is expected to come from a variety of sources, including a proposed 1 cent sales tax for Beaufort County that will face a referendum in November, federal and state grants, a special tax district and private investment.

Mayor Pro Tem Frank Glover and Councilman Gary Fordham voted against adoption of the Boundary Street Master Plan on Monday. Both men objected to installing roundabouts, which Fordham said will cause confusion and worsen traffic problems.

A municipal complex housing the new locations of City Hall and the Police Department also is a central component of the master plan. Those buildings are planned for construction at the intersection of Boundary Street and Ribaut Road.

The city has already acquired the land for the municipal complex, and construction is expected to begin next year. The City Council has approved a $14 million plan for the municipal complex.