Festivals and Fun in Bluffton

Written by Charlie Wetmore

n the next few months we are going to see the beginnings of a major upgrade in Old Town Bluffton. Old Town has become a tourist destination and is drawing more and more people to visit our wonderful town. This upgrade is something that was put into motion years ago. It started with the Old Town Master Plan. Remember the Charettes? Citizens of the town came together and came up with an idea of what they wanted the historic areas of Bluffton to look like. That has led to a change in how new buildings are approved in Old Town. It has also led to some major projects in Old Town.

They first started moving dirt in May. It is the expansion and development of the Oyster Company Park. The town began a $2 million plus development of one of Bluffton’s only waterfront parks. By July a view corridor will be cleared so we can all take in the gorgeous view of the river. Also, there will be paths, park benches and more. The expansion will start in earnest this fall after we receive plans and public input on them.

Sometime in September, we will see construction start on the Bruin/May River Road Streetscape Project. This is a project that will add parallel parking, wide sidewalks, benches, lights and more to the main road through Old Town. It is a project that many of us can’t wait to see completed. Also, sometime in the very near future we will see sidewalks going up on Heyward and Lawrence Streets. In the fall or early spring we will also begin to see repairs to some of the existing sidewalks. Within the next year, we should also see some directional signs installed. I can’t tell you the number of people I’ve met who found our Calhoun Street shops “by accident.” It’s time for us to help the economy of Bluffton by directing people there through proper signage.

As Bluffton continues to grow and develop these projects will help us to have a prettier and more accessible Old Town area for everyone.

Imagine some of our festivals or the Christmas parade with new, wider sidewalks, trash cans and benches lining the route. Imagine the new Farmer’s Market (which is wonderful by the way) in a completed Oyster Company Park. Imagine sidewalks throughout Old Town, enabling us all to walk safely in our pretty village. I can’t wait to see the finished product. I know many of us have been waiting for these improvements. I’m so glad we are finally to a point where we are able to start moving dirt on them.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at:
cwetmore@Townofbluffton.com
Charlie Wetmore
Council Member, Town of Bluffton