News Summary
The City of Beaufort has indefinitely closed its iconic promenade along the Beaufort River following a structural assessment that revealed the platform is overstressed. This decision comes just before Independence Day and the annual Water Festival, raising concerns for local businesses facing reduced foot traffic. The promenade, popular among locals and tourists, will remain closed while city officials assess repair needs, which could take years and cost millions. Access to adjacent areas like the day dock and playground is also restricted until further notice.
Beaufort – The City of Beaufort has closed its iconic promenade along the Beaufort River indefinitely due to serious structural safety concerns. This decision was made on Monday morning following a structural assessment that revealed the underlying platform structure is “overstressed,” posing a potential risk to public safety.
City Manager Scott Marshall emphasized that the safety of the public is the primary factor in this closure, which comes just days before Independence Day and 11 days prior to the city’s largest event, the annual 10-day Beaufort Water Festival.
The affected area includes a 40-foot-wide, 1,200-foot-long section of the promenade, situated in the popular Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, a favorite gathering spot for both locals and tourists. In addition to the promenade, access to the day dock and playground will also be restricted until further notice.
The promenade typically sees hundreds of visitors daily, who enjoy strolling or sitting on swinging benches while taking in the picturesque views of the river. Local businesses are expressing concern regarding the financial impact of the promenade’s closure, fearing a significant decrease in foot traffic to shops and restaurants on Bay Street. Business owners are already noting that the closure translates into a challenging environment for commerce.
The promenade’s structure relies on a “relieving platform,” supported by concrete pilings that are driven into the river’s floor. The recent assessment, conducted by McSweeney Engineers and JMT, indicated that these concrete pilings are currently “overstressed” and may pose a safety issue if the promenade continues to support pedestrian traffic. Prior reports had already identified severe deterioration in the overall platform structure, leading the city to invest over $1 million in stabilization efforts from 2018 to 2022. Notably, a report from June 2024 had previously outlined concerns over the 50-year-old relieving platform’s condition, prompting the city to prohibit cruise ships from docking in the area.
City officials have met with representatives of the Water Festival Committee to evaluate the implications of the promenade’s closure on upcoming logistics. Although no specific events have been canceled as of now, festival coordinators are adjusting plans, including moving the children’s toad fishing tournament to a different location due to the ongoing closures.
To communicate the closure effectively, barriers and signage marking the restricted areas were installed early Monday morning. City officials have also announced their intention to consult further with downtown business owners to address their concerns and develop strategies for moving forward amid this situation. However, they indicated that reopening the promenade may take years, with repair expenses anticipated to scale into the millions.
In light of the ongoing issues, the city has established a Waterfront Advisory Committee tasked with aiding future decisions regarding waterfront management and safety. The promenade and the playground remained open during the annual dragon boat races just days before the closure decision, highlighting a rapid shift in conditions.
The situation continues to evolve, and updates will be provided as city officials work through the restoration process and address community impacts.
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Promenade Closure News
- Wikipedia: Beaufort, South Carolina
- Your Island News: Portion of Waterfront Park Closed
- Google Search: Beaufort promenade closure
- Island Packet: Business Concerns over Promenade Closure
- Google Scholar: Beaufort promenade safety
- What’s Up Newp: Road Closure Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Beaufort
- Island Packet: Water Festival Updates
- Google News: Beaufort Water Festival
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
