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Parks and HTAX projects move forward; Hannes Auditorium assessment continues
Summary
Council reported progress on hospitality-tax projects: Pine Street Quarter Park nearing completion, restroom projects mobilized, and Hannes Auditorium assessment underway; federal and state appropriation requests were submitted but no state appropriations are expected this year.
Batesburg-Leesville council members received updates on hospitality-tax-funded projects and facility assessments.
The mayor said Pine Street Quarter Park — the first major hospitality-tax (HTAX) project — should be completed soon, and that park restrooms have mobilized and begun site prep work. "This is the first major HTAX project that will be completed," he said. Restrooms were prioritized first, with playground work to follow.
An engineering assessment of Hannes Auditorium is underway; as-built drawings have been provided and electrical and mechanical assessments are in progress. The mayor said the town submitted a state appropriations request for the auditorium but had been told no state appropriations would be approved in the current budget cycle.
Woodard Unity Park federal-appropriations requests were resubmitted through Senator Graham’s office after a 2024 request saw no federal funding. Restroom work at the parks is expected to be completed by December of the current year, the mayor said, and staff will continue to pursue grant options (including Land and Water Conservation Fund and state parks grants) for further park improvements.
Councilmembers asked that certain HTAX line items (including a previously pulled $200,000 sign project) be held for further discussion; one member suggested reallocating such funds to playground equipment until council can decide. No formal appropriation changes were made at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will monitor grant opportunities, report assessment results for Hannes Auditorium when available, and return proposed reallocation options to council for review.
