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Cheraw council approves Caston Park redevelopment contract despite resident opposition
Summary
The Cheraw Town Council voted 6–1 to award a redevelopment contract for Caston Park, after a proposal to reduce the number of pickleball courts failed. Residents urged the council to reconsider, citing traffic, noise and a lack of consultation.
The Cheraw Town Council on Sept. 10 approved a contract to redevelop Caston Park, authorizing Contractor Services of Kershaw LLC for the project after the finance committee reported the town can fund the work with ARP funds, a state grant, general-fund money and hospitality-tax revenue.
Residents attending the meeting urged the council not to proceed. "If you vote Yes for This Disaster at Caston Park you are confirming that you don't care about our concerns," said Robin Holland, a nearby resident, who told the council she and others have lost sleep over the project and urged visible votes so the public could see who supported it.
During the council discussion, Councilmember Ted moved "to amend this motion to negotiate reducing the number of ports during the contract negotiation phase of contractor" (the amendment language referencing the pickleball courts). The amendment was seconded and discussed at the dais but council returned to vote on the original finance-committee recommendation. The council recorded the final outcome as passing 6–1.
Town staff presented financing details to the council, saying the town's general-fund balance has grown in recent years and that the project would be financed with a mix of $1.16 million in unobligated ARP funds, a $500,000 state Department of Commerce grant, $300,000 from the general fund and about $342,669 from hospitality-tax funds. Council materials said those figures would leave fund balances above recommended minimums.
Council members who opposed or supported the motion were noted during the roll call; one councilmember explicitly registered opposition during the record. The council did not adopt Ted's proposed amendment at the final vote.
Next steps: the award authorizes contract negotiations and project scheduling; council discussion indicated staff will proceed with procurement and construction planning.
