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City says Waterfront Park engineers’ report due July–August; Duke Street project faces DOT sightline and utility conflicts
Summary
City staff told council on March 11 that the Waterfront Park engineering report is expected in July–August and that the National Park Service is holding façade funds until the study is complete; staff also reported Duke Street work remains delayed by DOT sightline concerns and underground utility conflicts.
City staff updated the council on the status of two capital projects during the March 11 meeting: an engineering evaluation of Waterfront Park and the Duke Street improvement project.
On Waterfront Park, staff said the National Park Service has awarded funding for façade repairs but is deferring disbursement until the city’s full engineering study is complete to avoid paying for work that might be replaced by a larger plan. McSweeney Engineering is performing the evaluation and staff said the full report — including bathymetrics, stormwater and other technical work — is due in July–August. Staff said the waterfront advisory committee will review results and that detailed conversations with the Park Service and related pending litigation may be discussed in executive session.
On Duke Street, staff said the current conflicts involve a sightline issue identified by the South Carolina Department of Transportation related to on-street parking and line-of-sight safety, plus underground utility conflicts with water, sewer and gas lines. The city engineer and DOT are coordinating to resolve sightline concerns; once DOT comments are addressed the city can begin permit applications and then move to RFP and contract stages. Staff characterized the process as iterative with back-and-forth reviews between city engineers and DOT staff.
Councilmembers asked for timing. Staff provided an estimated schedule for the waterfront engineering work and said the city has a public process including permitted work and that the National Park Service is being cautious with awarded funds. No new funding decisions were made at the March 11 meeting.
