Major Municipal Projects Transforming the Lowcountry in 2026

How Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort and Port Royal are investing in resilience, infrastructure and quality of life in the new year.

Story by Audrey Geib

Beaufort County continues to evolve as one of the Lowcountry’s most dynamic regions, where rapid growth, environmental resilience and community investment shape nearly every decision local governments make. From strengthening stormwater systems and preserving coastlines to expanding parks, revitalizing historic spaces and building the infrastructure needed for the next generation, municipal leaders entered 2025 with major goals and delivered meaningful progress. Across Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort and Port Royal, leaders have spent the past year advancing long-planned projects, repairing aging systems and investing in the facilities and public spaces on which residents rely. Their work reflects a shared commitment to protecting the character of life in the Lowcountry while preparing for the future. As the new year begins, the region’s municipal leaders are ready to move forward with confidence following the successes of 2025.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head’s vision for 2026 centers on strengthening the places locals use every day, from parks and shoreline to public facilities and roads. Town Manager Marc Orlando said that philosophy is driving the island’s improvements for 2026.

“Great streets, great parks, great facilities to house the staff and serve the public has been our motto,” Orlando said.

Beach renourishment

Hilton Head’s multi-phase beach renourishment will remain one of the town’s largest and most visible undertakings in 2026  “Beach renourishment is absolutely critical,” Orlando said, emphasizing the town’s responsibility to preserve and protect its shoreline. “Hilton Head Island beaches are absolutely the front door to Hilton Head Island. And as I like to say, we’re investing in what we value.”

The $47.5 million project will place more than two million cubic yards of beach-compatible sand along five segments of the island’s coast. Phase one, completed in late 2025, covered Port Royal (the Heel), Fish Haul and Pine Island. Phase two, encompassing Central Island, South Island and South Beach, is slated for completion in spring 2026.

Upgrades for the island’s hometown airport

Airport Director Jon Rembold said the airport’s ongoing improvements are meant to modernize the facility while preserving what he calls its “hometown airport” identity. The main focus is the terminal expansion, opening in April, which will include a larger TSA checkpoint, updated concessions, new gate seating and jet-bridge boarding.

“Everything will be completely brand new,” Rembold said, noting additions such as a family restroom and a service-animal relief area.

Tree-removal work at both ends of the runway helps keep the airspace free of obstructions, aligning with FAA requirements and improving accessibility for pilots.

“We’ve had pilots actually take note of it,” he said. “They’re like, ‘You guys are doing some great work.’”

The air-traffic control tower recently received federally funded upgrades, including a $300,000 FAA grant for new communications equipment and refreshed workspace features. Looking ahead, phase two will renovate the main building, bringing new baggage systems and improved rental-car areas.

Rembold said the improvements won’t necessarily add new airlines but will strengthen the airport’s appeal and “greatly enhance our ability to deliver that first-class experience.” With more room and comfort, he said, the airport hopes to offer more flight options for residents and visitors.

Stormwater & drainage

Orlando said stormwater remains one of Hilton Head’s highest priorities, especially in areas where aging systems are vulnerable to tidal influence or heavy rainfall. He noted that these infrastructure investments are essential for long-term resilience.

The work includes major pump stations like the Wexford station, as well as maintaining ditches and canals across multiple jurisdictions. Orlando explained that every major storm event provides valuable insight into how water moves across the island, and those lessons directly shape the town’s response and investment strategy.

“Our community members, our residents and our businesses deserve it,” Orlando said. “That’s why we collect the stormwater utility dollars — to reinvest back into the system.” He added that this fiscal year’s stormwater capital budget is more significant than in prior years, calling it a reflection of Town Council’s commitment to resilience and long-term infrastructure needs.

Coastal Discovery Museum

Orlando said the Coastal Discovery Museum remains a key community asset because it operates on town-owned land, yet is managed and maintained by the museum itself. With its growing lineup of community events, from large gatherings like the Seafood Festival to its educational programs, the need for reinvestment was clear.

Improvements center on creating a barrier-free, safe and more polished environment, a direction Orlando described as part of the town’s long-standing philosophy of stewardship.

The Town Council budgeted $450,000 for upgrades at the Mary Ann Peeples Pavilion. The town will replace light fixtures and fans and upgrade the pavilion’s electrical system to support future programming. Additional lighting will highlight the oaks and brighten the pavilion’s pathways. New hardscaping, patios, pathways and refreshed landscaping will enhance the event space and improve accessibility to the adjacent building and throughout the Camellia Garden. Further projects will update flooring and office spaces, address interior repairs to the Discovery Lab and complete structural repairs to the horse barn. Other improvements include gate and boardwalk repairs, well and field irrigation, fence repairs and HVAC upgrades.

Workforce housing

According to Orlando, the town remains fully committed to workforce housing, with major progress expected in 2026, including the launch of Hilton Head’s first town-supported workforce housing community, Northpoint.

Breaking ground in January, Northpoint will include 157 multi-family units consisting of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. What makes the development especially notable, Orlando said, is its financing model. One Street Residential, the town’s private development partner, secured an equity partner unlike any previous Town of Hilton Head project.

“RBC is the real estate developer’s equity partner,” he said. “It is the first-of-its-kind fund that RBC has created and invested in.” Orlando called the partnership innovative, adding that the project reflects years of collaboration among the developer, community members, the town and RBC.

As construction begins at Northpoint, the town is simultaneously preparing its next workforce housing initiative. “We will bid very soon for our second workforce housing public-private partnership,” Orlando said. The next site is a tract acquired by the town in the Muddy Creek neighborhood on Bryant Road. The goal is to establish a full neighborhood investment through another partnership model. While that project will take much of 2026 to advance — largely through developer selection and agreement-building — it signals a long-term, multi-site housing strategy for the island.

For Orlando, breaking ground at Northpoint marks an important moment both professionally and for the community.

Parks & recreation

Orlando said the town is making significant investments to modernize recreation opportunities by upgrading and creating new family-friendly spaces. He emphasized that these are not superficial upgrades but meaningful improvements designed for long-term community use. “I believe that great places have great streets and great public spaces,” he said.

At Islanders Beach Park, improvements will enhance accessibility, safety and amenities at one of the island’s most frequently visited shoreline spaces for locals. Patterson Park and Taylor Family Park are moving forward as new neighborhood anchors, each designed to support family use and community gatherings.

One of the largest recreation investments is an 18-court pickleball complex along Arrow Road near Crossings Park, created in direct response to resident demand. Orlando said the town has been intentional about scaling recreation to meet the needs of an increasingly active population.

At the same time, the town is preparing a substantial transformation of the Bristol Sports Arena, including redesigning the skate park, building a new pump track, replacing lighting and adding updated amenities. These improvements underscore the town’s commitment to multi-generational use.

Road and pedestrian safety improvements

Orlando said one of the town’s most meaningful recent transportation efforts is the safety project between Dillon Road and Beach City Road, a model he hopes to replicate elsewhere.

“That was a funding partnership with Beaufort County and a road improvement with SCDOT,” he explained. “We obtained a significant portion of the funding from the county through traffic impact fees, and then we worked with DOT to improve their road.”

Although the roadway itself is state-owned, the town took the lead in making the corridor safer for pedestrians.

“We’re very proud of that, and I call it our first case study — a testament to future similar investments on heavily traveled roads,” Orlando said.

Town operations

The Town of Hilton Head Island is making major moves to modernize town operations and prepare its organizational structure for the future. A key step is renovating 4 Office Way, the recently purchased former PNC Bank building the town is converting into functional space for key departments, including information technology and engineering. The project allows the town to consolidate operations, expand workspace and create a more efficient environment for staff and public services.

“We’re proud to enhance and expand our footprint as a government campus throughout the island, and we’re excited about that big picture,” Orlando said.

Another project is the town’s investment in a new Fire Rescue headquarters on Park Lane. The town purchased the building to meet the growing needs of Fire Rescue and to give the department the space and facilities required to meet modern standards. Orlando said ensuring that Fire Rescue has an appropriate headquarters is a clear priority.

“We need to have the right facilities for our fire department,” he said.

Together these projects reflect what Orlando describes as a broader initiative to invest in the operations that keep Hilton Head running. The goal, he said, is to align facilities with the community’s expectations and long-term needs.

Bluffton

Bluffton remains one of the fastest-growing corners of Beaufort County, and the town spent much of 2025 laying the groundwork for long-term stability. With major utility upgrades, development projects and continued momentum in business and residential growth, Bluffton’s focus has been on preparing infrastructure and planning tools that can keep pace with its expanding population.

Planning for growth

Bluffton’s long-term planning continues to be guided by Blueprint Bluffton, the town’s 2022 comprehensive plan. Recent adjustments, including a housing impact analysis and new tools to support workforce housing, reflect the town’s effort to balance rapid development with housing accessibility and community character. In 2025 the town also advanced several policy and budget decisions to support infrastructure, drainage improvements and public spaces without increasing property taxes.

New development momentum

Development activity continues to shape Bluffton’s next phase. Magnolia Square, a mixed-use community between May River Road and Jason Street, moved forward with a final development plan submitted for approval. The project aims to blend residential, commercial and community-oriented elements, part of a broader trend toward walkable, mixed-use hubs throughout the region. Similarly, Pepper Hall — a large multi-family development consisting of 25 buildings with 332 units, including a 7,000-square-foot amenity center — is under development along the Okatie River on a 20-acre site.

Infrastructure investments

Sewer upgrades are underway through the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, which is investing $21 million to increase capacity at two major pump stations — one at Buck Island Road and Baylor Drive, and another at Malphrus Road and Pine Forest Drive. The improvements will boost flow rates by nearly 80% to support future neighborhoods, commercial areas and mixed-use districts across town. Addressing the region’s population surge, the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority also completed a $28 million water tower capable of holding 1.5 million gallons and supporting more than 11,000 customer connections. Together, these upgrades lay essential groundwork for Bluffton’s continued growth.

Community spaces & identity

Even with fast growth, Bluffton has continued investing in the parts of town that make it feel like classic, hometown Bluffton: parks, historic corridors, drainage improvements in older neighborhoods and public-space upgrades. These efforts echo the town’s ongoing emphasis on livability, as Bluffton transitions from a small coastal town to a thriving community.

Medical expansion

Bluffton’s healthcare infrastructure is undergoing a major upgrade, with multiple new medical campuses planned to meet the needs of its rising population. Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s Bluffton Campus, approved by the state in March 2025, is moving forward as a 28-bed community hospital at the corner of Innovation Drive and Buckwalter Parkway. Expected to open in late 2026, the facility will include an emergency department, surgery center, cardiac catheterization lab, inpatient acute nursing unit and comprehensive imaging services. At the same time, MUSC Health is constructing a 54,000-square-foot medical pavilion in Bluffton, set to open this spring. The center will consolidate existing care services and introduce new specialties, including primary care for adults and children, oncology infusion services, pediatric urgent care, vascular care and sleep medicine, among others. On Parkside Drive, construction is underway on Novant Health’s Washington Square Medical Park, a 40,000-square-foot medical office campus that will include a 10,000-square-foot freestanding emergency department. The facility will offer advanced diagnostics as well as primary care, cardiology and gastroenterology, with room for future expansion. Together these projects mark a turning point for Bluffton’s medical landscape, reducing travel times, expanding emergency and specialty care access, and accommodating demographic growth by bringing comprehensive healthcare closer to home.

Beaufort

Historic, resilient and community-driven, Beaufort spent the past year advancing projects that honor its past while preparing the city for its future. From long-overdue drainage upgrades and landmark preservation efforts to major park improvements and a transformative new memorial, leaders focused on strengthening the places and stories that define Beaufort. The result is a year marked by progress, preservation and a renewed investment in the city’s neighborhoods and waterfront.

First South Carolina Volunteers of African Descent Memorial Park

One of Beaufort’s most meaningful upcoming projects, according to City Manager Scott Marshall, is the creation of a memorial park honoring the First South Carolina Volunteers of African Descent — the first Black soldiers in the U.S. Army. The six-acre site will sit prominently along Boundary Street, overlooking the river.

“Their story has not been given the justice it deserves in remembering how important they are to the history of this whole country, not just this area,” Marshall said. Formed in Beaufort because the city was a Union stronghold following early occupation during the Civil War, the regiment predated the famed 54th Massachusetts by about a year. “Many of their descendants still live here today,” he added.

Marshall emphasized that this project is about more than design — it is about correcting an absence in the historical record. “You can go downtown, and you’ll find very little mention of their regiment,” he said. “And that’s a shame.” The goal is to create a place that commands attention. “We want it to be the kind of place where, as you’re coming down the street, you go, ‘What is that? I’ve got to pull in there.’ And you don’t leave without knowing who they were and how important they were.”

Marshall also highlighted the role of Dr. Elijah Washington, a longtime community leader who died in August. “He was the primary catalyst for that effort,” he said. Washington’s dedication to honoring the regiment’s legacy continues to guide the city’s commitment to building a memorial worthy of their service and sacrifice.

With a design contract close to being finalized, the city expects to begin fundraising — a 2026 milestone Marshall said he is “really, really looking forward to.”

Charles & Craven Street stormwater project

Marshall said Beaufort’s Charles and Craven streets stormwater project marks the first major step in addressing long-term flooding risks in downtown. “It’s one of several stormwater drainage projects slated for the downtown area,” he said, noting it is funded through a federal grant and managed by the South Carolina Office of Resiliency. The need, he emphasized, is critical.

“We have pipes underground, some made of clay, that have been there for over 100 years,” he said. “Without doing these drainage projects, 20, 30, 40 years from now, we may not have much of a downtown.”

Arsenal building preservation

Beaufort’s historic Arsenal building — an antebellum landmark and museum — is undergoing essential façade repairs. Marshall said preserving it requires special care. “There are a lot of issues with the façade,” he said. “It’s a historic property, so you can’t just throw any plaster you want on there.”

Because Beaufort is a designated Landmark Historic District, all restoration must meet strict review standards, ensuring the building remains true to its centuries-old character.

Waterfront Park platform rehabilitation

Marshall said the most significant challenge, and opportunity ahead, is determining the future of Beaufort’s iconic Waterfront Park. The aging relieving platform, supported by hundreds of piers, has deteriorated to the point where it is unsafe for pedestrians.

“The engineering report was very clear. It said pedestrians should not be allowed on the lower relieving platform,” he said. Inspections revealed that “of the 570 piers, you could only see about 300,” with the rest buried in silt and impossible to inspect.

The city is exploring design alternatives with its new waterfront advisory committee, and a public survey is underway. The goal, he said, is to determine “how we will fix this problem,” whether by rebuilding in place, redesigning or creating a hybrid of floating and static structures.

Southside Park & Washington Street Park improvements

For Marshall the recent park investments represent a significant, long-overdue improvement for families and Beaufort’s neighborhoods.

Southside Park — once the site of a decommissioned water treatment plant — “sat empty for a long time” but is now a thriving neighborhood park. Seeing the opportunity to finally build the kind of park the Mossy Oaks neighborhood had envisioned, the city bonded against future Parks and Tourism revenue to bring the plan to life. “We bonded enough money to build the first phase of that park,” he said, a milestone for a community that had been waiting for generations.

Washington Street Park is undergoing major upgrades as well. The new amenities include a pavilion, practice tennis court, basketball court and spaces designed for families and visitors. “It’s nice to know that finally, after 20 years, we have a park in that neighborhood where people have been expecting a park for a long time,” he said. For him the upgrades reflect Beaufort’s commitment to ensuring its public spaces match the quality of life residents deserve.

Duke Street streetscape & drainage

Work continues toward long-awaited streetscape and drainage improvements on Duke Street. Marshall said residents in the 1600 block have been waiting for this extension since earlier grant-funded phases were completed.

“It makes sense to finish out that project and continue phasing it down that street,” he said.

Although design disagreements with the Department of Transportation have stalled progress, the city is committed to completing it. “We’re not going to give up on that project,” he said.

Port Royal

Port Royal has always taken pride in its strong sense of place — a coastal town shaped by authenticity, character and a deep connection to the water. Town Manager Van Willis said that spirit continues to define the community today.

“What separates us and makes it special is there’s a level of authenticity to the town and its residents,” Willis said. “We are truly a coastal community: A true kind of blue-collar ethic that shines through in our architecture and our people.”

Shrimping dock rebuild & processing facility

For Willis, few projects embody Port Royal’s identity more than the plan to rebuild the town’s historic shrimping dock between Shell Ring and Fishcamp, along with restoring the adjacent processing facility.

“We will be rebuilding the dock as well as starting the rebuild of the processing facility so the shrimpers can actually offload in Port Royal,” he said.

Willis believes this project can help reverse some of the decline in shrimping across Beaufort County. By giving local boats a reliable place to offload, process and distribute their catch, the town hopes to strengthen a more sustainable, locally rooted seafood economy.

“The shrimp are still there,” he said. “We just don’t have the shrimpers to go get those shrimp because economically it made no sense… and now this could be an opportunity for us to stand that back up somewhat.”

Supported by state funding, with help from S.C. Rep. Shannon Erickson, the plan bolsters an industry that has dwindled from thousands of boats to just a handful.

For Port Royal the project is more than economic development — it is an homage to its origins. The rebuilt dock and processing facility will restore a way of life that shaped the town’s architecture, food culture and the blue-collar spirit Willis describes as essential to Port Royal’s authenticity. Reviving this working waterfront, he believes, honors both the community’s past and its future.

Naval Hospital sidewalk

Willis said the reconstructed 400 yards of sidewalk in front of the Naval Hospital is a testament to perseverance after nearly a decade of waiting, planning and coordination.

“It took us nine years to get that small section of sidewalk built,” he said.

The reconstruction provides a wider, safer pedestrian path along Ribaut and Old Shell roads, as well as a connection to the town’s sidewalk network and pathways extending safely to Lady’s Island.

“It connects the trail that crosses the bridge over to Lady’s Island and connects with our network of sidewalks that we’re finishing up,” Willis said. “It’s a great opportunity, not only for exercise but for people to commute on foot safely.”

Spanish Moss Trail

Willis said the new Spanish Moss Trail crossing at Ribaut Road represents a milestone in the town’s partnership with Beaufort County and the state. The $700,000 project will connect Port Royal to the more than 10 miles of paved multi-use path. The crossing will feature a new pedestrian-activated signal to ensure a safe passage for trail users.

At one end of the Spanish Moss Trail, Willis sees the crossing as critically important. He shared his goal of extending the trail to Sands Beach. Construction began in September and is anticipated to be completed in early 2026.

Battery Creek waterfront promenade

Willis said renewed planning for a public waterfront promenade fulfills a vision dating back to 2004, when the town first learned the port would close.

“One of the things we heard over and over again was access to the waterfront,” he said.

The planning effort brings together a range of stakeholders — including Shell Ring, Fishcamp, the Spanish Moss Trail organization and adjoining property owners — to map out a cohesive strategy for the 2-mile stretch. The committee’s work will shape how the public experiences the waterfront for decades, linking recreation, commerce and the town’s deep connection to Battery Creek. For Willis, ensuring the promenade is thoughtfully planned is essential to honoring community input and preserving one of Port Royal’s defining assets.

Paris Avenue streetscape

Willis said one of the most transformative projects coming in 2026 is the first phase of the Paris Avenue overhaul.

“It’ll be a complete redo of curb and gutter, utilities, pavers — even benches and trash cans,” he said.

The improvement zone stretches from Ribaut Road past the post office and Cypress Wetlands. As Willis explained, “It’s part of a larger $15 million redo of Paris Avenue.”

Sewer expansion and septic phase-out

Willis said Port Royal continues to work closely with the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority to eliminate aging septic systems near sensitive waterways.

“We created a master plan to address sewer on Ribaut Road — that’s a major hole in our system,” he said.

The town also plans to fill remaining gaps downtown. For Willis the goal is clear: protect water quality and support responsible commercial growth.

Stormwater improvements

According to Willis, long-awaited stormwater drainage upgrades in The Village neighborhood will soon break ground.

“The upgrade of this system will address long-standing issues in that neighborhood,” he said.

The improvements include roadway paving and installing a 541-foot storm sewer. This project marks progress toward a long-term stormwater drainage master plan that will address a significant portion of the town.

Willis said the new master plan gives Port Royal something it has never had before: a comprehensive roadmap for drainage improvements over the next decade.

“It gives us a blueprint for capital projects moving forward,” he said. With priority basins now identified, the next challenge is financial. “We have the manual in hand — now it’s chasing down funding to make those things a reality.”

Economic development study

Willis said Port Royal will begin a significant economic development study in 2026, funded by a grant from the Beaufort County Economic Development Corp. The goal is to determine what types of businesses are a good fit for the town’s commercial corridors.

“They’re getting an understanding of what would be a good fit for us,” he said, noting that the study will examine demographics, traffic projections and recruiting potential.

Safe Harbor port redevelopment

Willis said the long-awaited redevelopment of the port property remains a defining project for the town.

“We’re still working with Safe Harbor on the redevelopment of the port property,” he said.

After years of setbacks, he’s hopeful the partnership will deliver meaningful progress. “It’s going to make 2026, 2027, 2028 — it’ll still take a few years,” Willis said. But the marina and its accompanying amenities will reshape the waterfront for generations.