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Kershaw County awards Woodward Park revitalization bid to local builder
Summary
Council approved recommending Kershaw Builders under South Carolina local-preference rules after six bids were received for Woodward Park improvements; council members praised the project and staff work.
Kershaw County Council voted on Jan. 14 to proceed with a bid award recommending Kershaw Builders for the Woodward Park revitalization project, using the state-authorized local preference allowance after six bids were opened.
County staff told the council that, although a lower bid existed, the project fell within the statutory threshold that permits a county to prefer a local contractor when the difference between the low and next-lowest responsive bid meets the law’s parameters. Council accepted staff’s recommendation and moved to approve the award to Kershaw Builders.
County Administrator Danny Templer said the procurement team had vetted bids and that choosing a local contractor would help keep costs and oversight local. Council members who supported the award highlighted the project’s multi-year history and the recreation commission’s role in shaping the scope.
Councilman Shumate, who introduced the motion to award the contract, said the project represents more than construction: “We get to fix one of our parks, complete one of our parks and do so while a local business gets to be the one to do that work,” he said, calling the award “a win on all fronts.” Councilman Cato concurred and urged similar attention to projects in his district.
Staff said construction timing depends on final administrative steps, including coordination of the adjacent state road that leads into the park; Templer said dirt-moving and other early work would begin as permitting and turnover of the road are completed and that council would receive regular progress updates.
Why it matters: the Woodward Park improvements are a long-standing county priority intended to expand recreation facilities and access. Awarding the contract to a local firm is intended to retain economic benefit in the county while moving a multi-year project into active construction.
Next steps: staff will finalize the contract and provide council with a construction timeline; council members asked for regular updates as work begins.
