Hilton Head Monthly Magazine

TOM CREWS
THE ARCHITECT

1.     Many businesses have left Hilton Head over the past decade. What role can the Town of Hilton Head Island play to reverse this trend? Should the Town, for example, establish its own economic development entity, identify business well-suited to the island and take steps to create an environment attractive to those businesses? If so, what steps should be taken?

I recommend that we do the following:
Develop and formalize an economic revitalization strategy to regenerate the local economy:

Near term efforts should focus on:

• Establish public private partnerships, and explore economic incentives, such as tax incentives for commercial redevelopment.
• Consider expansion of the Land Acquisition program to advance economic development initiatives.
• Enhance access to technology infrastructure to include latest generation, Island wide, high speed broad band capability, as it has become an essential basic infrastructure requirement of the Island’s resort, residential and business community. Work with providers to wrap the island with the highest possible speed wireless services. Work now with local providers to install highest possible speed wired fiber network and expand Wi-Fi hotspots to all town parks.

The Town should establish an official economic development program that fosters a spirit of cooperation between the public and private sector to promote, advocate and facilitate development of business opportunities. This could involve the establishment of a Town economic development entity or an integrated approach with existing economic development groups.

2.     Hilton Head has a longstanding tradition of environmental preservation, but is not truly “green” by today’s standards. Some have said we should take steps to open the dialogue between Town and County government agencies, utility providers and private-sector entities (such as planned communities) to identify sustainable practices, such as stormwater capture and reuse, energy conservation and building practices. What green and sustainable practices could Hilton Head implement?

I recommend that we do the following:
Reinforce the Island’s legacy of environmental stewardship:

Near term efforts should:

• Adopt the International Green Building Code and continue to work with the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association to incorporate Green building practices.
• Require LEED compliant design for our Public Buildings.
• Encourage LEED inspired design practices in renovations and redevelopment.
• Update our Sustainable Design practices in the Land Management Ordinance
• Pursue a designation from the Audubon International Society as a “Sustainable Community”.
• Develop a Community consensus for Island-wide recycling.
• Develop Community educational programs for our residents and property owners to explain and introduce sustainable practices that can be incorporated, i.e. rain water harvesting (rain baralells), rain gardens, etc.
• Create an economic development path to encourage Eco Tourism

Establish a comprehensive strategy for environmental initiatives to help reinforce the Island’s position as a leader in environmental stewardship. Continuing to evaluate and institute environmental sustainability options, policies and practices to strengthen the Island’s position as a leader in environmental stewardship, enhance long term economic and environmental sustainability and attract “green” businesses and “green oriented” travelers to the Island. Establishing a “Sustainability Advisory Committee” or an integrated approach to review and institute sustainability within the community.

3.     Hilton Head has the potential to extend visitation numbers during the offseason by enhancing the island’s business and convention tourism sector. Some have said that we need larger meeting, convention and/or performing arts facilities to enhance such opportunities. Do you agree, and if so, what steps should we take to strengthen our hospitality industry?

I recommend that we do the following:
Reinforce and promote our heritage and what makes Hilton Head Island unique: (beach, pathways, recreation, golf, tennis, road, air, and water access, environmental stewardship, Heritage golf tournament and other special events.)

Near term efforts should focus on:

• Evaluate marketing dollars and how they are used. Embrace tourism and encourage not just visitation but living and working here.
• Create a hospitality culture: Everyone should be an ambassador for the Island.
• Prioritize beach renourishment projects.
• Secure the future of the  Heritage Golf Tournament.
• Advocate for key regional transportation improvements needed to improve access to Hilton Head Island, including the implementation of Phase 5A of the Bluffton Parkway (HHI bridges to Burnt Church Road) and the widening of I-95.

The Town should continue to strengthen our core values and build on the heritage that makes the Island such a unique place to live and visit and work. The extraordinary natural beauty found along the Island’s waterways and beaches, the diversity of wildlife, development that blends with nature and our abundant recreational amenities are the foundation upon which a very active and caring citizenry has been built.

4.     The Mall at Shelter Cove could be reconfigured as one of the Town’s village centers. Should the Town play a leadership role and work with private-sector entities to determine how village centers such as the The Mall at Shelter Cove and Coligny Plaza area be configured?

Yes. I recommend that we do the following:
Develop and formalize an infrastructure revitalization strategy:
Near term efforts should include:

• Focus the Planning Commission on revitalization.
• Target revitalization areas in the TIF district.

Coordinate  public and private involvement, through processes such as a Charette similar to the Bridge to the Beach process in the late 1990’s.

Develop a Community driven plan for the potential redevelopment of a public/private partnership, pedestrian based, village/town square, mixed use plan encompassing retail, permanent & short-term housing, office, arts & entertainment as well as convention scale meeting space with a seamless fabric of the public and private realm. Take particular attention to maintaining the public realm along the water’s edge at Broad Creek with the beautiful water vista.

Create a pedestrian friendly entertainment, beach access, shopping, dining and festival center at Coligny and a village/town square, mixed use plan encompassing retail, permanent & short-term housing, office, arts & entertainment as well as convention scale meeting space. Coligny area planning should create a cohesive vision for the public and private sectors and promote public/private partnerships.

Change the development review process. Consider the opportunities of alternative zoning techniques.  Determine the necessary modifications to ordinances, policies and procedures needed to accommodate the goals and objectives of the revitalization program.

The Town should outline a program for revitalization that includes targeting investment within the current TIF (Tax Increment Finance) Districts, but also consider expansion of priority areas beyond the TIF Districts as they are due to expire at the end of 2014.  The program should include clear objectives for revitalization and communicate public commitments, incentives, priorities and revitalization options available to property owners, business owners and investors who may then choose to reinvest in these areas.