Residents press council on sidewalks, drainage at Gadsden Loop CDBG public hearing

Colleton County residents told the county on Dec. 6 that work funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Gadsden Loop neighborhood has not resolved sidewalk and drainage problems and that flooding and standing water continue to affect homes.

The council opened a public hearing on the Gadsden Loop Neighborhood Revitalization Project. Councilman Art Williams asked why sidewalks were not extended through Gadsden Loop, where new housing exists. Kimberly Mullinax of the Lowcountry Council of Governments answered that funding and right-of-way constraints, and the project’s phased design, explained the omission; she also noted concurrent sewer and water upgrades by the City of Walterboro that affect timing and available funds. "The main reason for this is money," Mullinax said, adding that the project had been designed in phases and that the first phase took longer and cost more than expected.

Residents described continuing drainage and health concerns. One resident, Mr. Brown, said water settles on Pine Needle and Red Comet, ditches do not drain, and abandoned homes and few manhole covers contribute to standing water and mosquito infestations. Felicia Johnson said floodwater previously ruined belongings in her garage on Rivers Street and called a roadside ditch near her house "very dangerous," saying repeated standing water has harmed her family and made it hard to sleep. "Something needs to be done," Johnson said, asking the council for help.

The CDBG project notice included in the meeting materials says Colleton County used CDBG funds to improve drainage, add sidewalks and street lights, demolish dilapidated houses and provide exterior rehab in a project area bounded by Robertson Blvd., Rivers St., Gadsden Loop, Peurifoy Rd., and Hampton St. The grant award was initially $483,502 and later increased to $505,546; local matching funds of $650,000 from SCDOT TAP and CTC were committed. The notice states the project benefited approximately 1,095 residents, about 61.2% of whom were low-to-moderate income; final close-out was pending required close-out documents and expected by March 31, 2023.

Council did not take an immediate vote to change the project scope at the meeting. County staff and Lowcountry COG representatives indicated additional funding, easements or future phases would be required to extend sidewalks through constrained segments of Gadsden Loop. Residents asked the county to prioritize drainage fixes on Red Comet, Rivers Street and adjacent streets to address standing water and related public-health concerns.