For sale to the highest bidder: Prime waterfront property in
fast-growing Beaufort County, much of it suitable for commercial and
residential use.
The State Ports Authority is looking to sell its Port of Port Royal
property for redevelopment. The sale of the roughly 50-plus-acre site
could close by the middle of 2007, officials said.
Port Royal officials, residents and the state spent months shaping the
future of the former maritime tract, ensuring that developers follow
strict guidelines on density, building heights, open space and overall
appeal.
The official search for a buyer or buyers, details of which were
released Friday, marks a milestone, said Van Willis, Port Royal town
manager.
"It's an exciting step," Willis said. "It's something the town has
worked on for a number of months."
Plans for the site show 480 homes, 90,000 square feet of commercial
space, a hotel and a marina with up to 225 boat slips.
The residences include single-family units, condominiums and
apartments. The site is divided into three areas: the 18-acre Bluff
neighborhood, the 2.5-acre Marina Village and the 30-acre Port Village.
Prospective bidders can submit offers for the entire property, or one or
two of the individual parcels, SPA officials said.
In 2003, as part of Gov. Mark Sanford's plan to cut costs and boost
revenue at state-run maritime facilities, the General Assembly ordered the
Port Royal terminal to close by the end of 2006; it was the SPA's smallest
cargo facility.
The ports authority said Friday it will soon begin a local, regional
and national advertising campaign to drum up interest in the site, which
is just outside the city of Beaufort. It plans to offer tours of the
property to prospective buyers starting in January.
Bids are due March 30, and officials say they are expecting a good
response. "It's fine piece of property in a growing area," said SPA
spokesman Byron Miller.
On the Web
Read the SPA's Request for Proposals for the redevelopment of Port of
Port Royal online at...
http://www.scspa.com/business/legal_notices/default_LN.asp?LegalNotice=37
Reach Peter Hull at 937-5594 or phull@postandcourier.com.
