BEAUFORT, S.C. — Significant construction work has commenced in Beaufort, specifically targeting the waterfront area behind the pavilion at Henry C. Chambers Park. This project is expected to impact this bustling locale for several months.

The construction will involve excavating the ground from the water’s edge to the entrance of the marina parking lot on Bay Street. During this process, everything in the designated area will be removed, including a notable historic tree, brick pathways, and any structures that lie along the century-old underground pipes.

City officials have assured residents that the historic tree will be replanted and the brick pathways will be reconstructed once the project is completed.

This initiative is part of Beaufort’s nearly $7 million Charles-Craven stormwater project, which is funded by federal grants and is scheduled for completion by May.

It’s a part of the city’s almost $7 million federally funded Charles-Craven stormwater project that must be finished by May.

It’s happening alongside another stormwater project in the historic home district.

 The combined price tag of both projects is around $13 million.

“This is really a large project for the city.  It’s a large investment and we’re replacing 100-year-old pipe with newer, better materials, longer lasting,” said Raul Dominguez, the Capitol Improvements Director for the City.

The 48-inch historic stormwater pipe will be replaced with a new 72-inch pipe.

Dominguez said that will increase the longevity of the city’s stormwater drainage, which previously struggled with sediment blockage and flooding.

The city previously had plans to start at the Charles Craven intersection and work their way down to the waterfront.

Dominguez said they are now starting at the waterfront and working their way upwards toward Charles and Craven to make sure everything lines up correctly, avoiding mistakes that could cause permit or alignment problems later on.

With the waterfront being phase one, that means for several months, areas like the main entrance to the marina parking lot, and the main pathway to Henry C. Chambers Park, could be inaccessible.

The city confirmed that construction should not interfere with tourist traffic and downtown operations, but business owners said they’re on edge with the combination of the waterfront shelf closure, the economy and now this project.

“We’ve already met with the stakeholders, the owners, business owners, the tour guides, residents one on one to get out the message of what the project is going to entail,” said Domiguez. “We are going to be communicating almost on a daily basis because, as you know, construction is construction and things change.”

The next phase of the project will take place at the intersection of Bay and Charles Street.

Dominguez said that phase is also expected to last for a few months.

The city said they’ll continue to communicate with business owners and residents to keep impacts as small as possible.