Hilton Head Monthly Magazine Voice of the Lowcountry 
HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN TOWN
We’ve seen The Bridge at Calhoun take shape over the past year, and now developer Matt Cunningham said the mixed-use center at the corner of Calhoun and Bridge Street is finally full of activity.
A 1.78-acre site at May River Road is the new designated spot for more affordable homes thanks to a new public-private partnership between the town of Bluffton and developer Workforce State of Mind LLC. The homes will be affordable and reserved for those who are income-qualified, regardless of market values, for 30 years, a news release said. Bill Herbkersman, managing member of Workforce State of Mind, says while the need is immediate, the project is currently in the design stage.
The Town of Bluffton plans to host its 51st annual Bluffton Christmas Parade through Bluffton’s Historic District, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Martin Family Park, followed by Santa’s Workshop at DuBois Park’s Pavilion. The movie, “The Grinch,” will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Martin Family Park. The Town asks parade entrants to give a donation to the Bluffton Lutzie 43 Charitable Fund, in lieu of a parade entry fee. The deadline for parade applications is Nov. 11.
Renovations and a DHEC inspection on the Bluffton Pool on Pritchard Street were completed, which led to its re-opening in mid-October. The repairs cost $900,000, which included replacing the roof panels and structural roof clips that hold the roof to the structural beams. An anti-corrosive paint was added along with replacing the lighting over the pool. The pool had been closed since earlier this year after an initial inspection showed damage that “created a high probability that the roof structure would fail in the event of high winds or heavy rainfall,” a news release said.
The Board of Directors of Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity unveiled the house named in honor of retired President and CEO, Pat Wirth. The Patricia Carey Wirth House is a celebration of the nearly two decades Wirth spent at the helm of this affiliate, leading tremendous growth in providing simple, decent housing for so many families in southern Beaufort and Jasper counties.
The football number worn by Dwon “D.J.” Fields Jr. will not be worn again after Bluffton High School retired his No. 55. A ceremony was held Sept. 16. Fields was shot and killed March 2021. Fields’ death stunned the community last year.
A proposal to allow golf carts on multi-use paths on Buckwalter Parkway and Bluffton failed to move ahead. The ordinance failed on Beaufort County Council’s first reading with a 5-5 vote. Those voting against the proposal cited safety concerns.
A proposal for a large pickleball facility in Bluffton was tabled by the Bluffton Planning Commission. The commission cited parking and traffic concerns. The planned 10-acre Lowcountry Pickleball Club would include six indoor courts, six covered outdoor courts and six uncovered outdoor courts.
Bluffton Town Council approved a resolution that requests the South Carolina Department of Transportation to partner with the town to help reduce speed limits on “certain state-owned roads” in town. The roads included are portions of Bridge and Wharf streets, portions of Red Cedar, Whispering Pine and Pin Oak streets, Jason and Able streets, a portion of 8th Avenue, Shults and Goethe roads, and Hilderbrand Street. The plan is part of the “Pathway and Pedestrian Safety Improvements” initiative.
Stephenie Price resigned as police chief of the Town of Bluffton. Price’s last day of employment with the Town is expected to be on or before Sept. 15, according to a new release. Captain Scott Chandler has been named interim chief. During her nearly two years with Bluffton Police Department, Price developed a mental health and wellness program and supervised the newly created community mental health advocate position. Price has been chief of police since Oct. 12, 2020.
