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City staff outline $58.5M stormwater plan after partial HMGP award; funding gap remains
Summary
Staff described a two‑part stormwater project (Saludo bypass conveyance and Maxey Greg Park improvements), said the city qualified for a $19M HMGP match after requesting $45M, and outlined a total project cost near $58.5M with questions about how to cover the remaining funding gap.
Dana (staff) presented a proposed two‑branch stormwater project intended to reduce flooding in the Five Points area and downstream through Maxey Greg Park. She described the technical scope: an upstream conveyance from the MLK Park area starting with a 10x6 box culvert that increases to dual 12x10 culverts where it reaches Santee/Waccamaw toward Rocky Branch, and a second branch intercepting flow at Blossom and Santee that would route to Maxey Greg Park via a 12x10 culvert.
On funding, Dana said the city applied to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division for Hurricane Helene Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds. "We requested 45 million with a $15 million match and we were told we have qualified for a $19 million match," she said, then described a current project figure of roughly $39.5 million referenced in staff materials and later a $58.5 million combined total when park mitigation was included (conveyance ~ $50.8M; park improvements ~ $7.7M).
City staff and council members stressed the two project components must proceed together: conveyance without downstream mitigation could increase downstream flooding, while park work alone would not move stormwater out of Five Points. Staff said they are engaging a rate consultant to evaluate the stormwater fund and the adequacy of rates to support possible bond issuance. Any commitment to the Emergency Management Division would be contingent on securing the remaining funds (bond proceeds, stormwater fund health, or other sources).
Committee members asked technical clarifications about the MLK Park alignment and previous flood benching in that park (a staff estimate placed that work in 2018), and discussed whether construction would relieve soggy fields. Dana and other staff emphasized there would be public engagement, permitting and a four‑year construction window tied to the grant timeline if the city commits to accept the award.
No formal vote was taken; staff presented the project for awareness and requested guidance on fiscal capacity and next steps to close the funding gap.
