Development News for Bluffton, South Carolina

Affordable Housing Development Solicitation for 115 Bluffton Road Nears Proposal Deadline

Felicia Roth, procurement official for the town of Bluffton, presented an update on the latest affordable housing development solicitation for the 10-acre parcel at 115 Bluffton Road. The town issued a request for proposal (RFP) with specific parameters and information about the parcel to encourage creative and sustainable development ideas. The solicitation was published on April 13th, with a closing date for proposals on June 11th. The process includes a review committee to downselect top proposals for further presentation. The town owns the parcel and is willing to donate it at a proper stage in the development process. There have been 65 unique downloads of the opportunity information. The RFP is available on the town's website via BidNet Direct for integrity.

Progress Updates on 97 Govie Road and 115 Bluffton Rail Projects; Search for New Leads Discussed

Vicki provided a project update, mentioning that 97 Govie Road is moving forward, with the owner expecting a certificate of occupancy soon pending paperwork. She also discussed the 115 Bluffton Rail project, expressing hope for its progress. In response to a question about leads for similar multi-unit projects, Vicki stated it is difficult to find such opportunities without inside connections to county tax offices but expressed willingness to investigate.

Fiscal Year 2026 Neighborhood Assistance Program Update and AMI Figures Released

The town's Housing Department provided an update on the fiscal year 2026 Neighborhood Assistance Program. As of June 30th, 42 homes received assistance, totaling $424,337 for minor and major repairs, $2,392 for property cleanup, and $2,791 for tree care, with a grand total expenditure of $429,520. The program has $64,590 remaining for emergency repairs. Applications are still being accepted but will be processed in fiscal year 2027. The department also provided data on previous fiscal years and discussed Area Median Income (AMI) figures for 2026, noting that these figures are set by HUD and impact affordability for programs.

1095 May River Road Project Update: Infrastructure Nearing Completion Amidst Timeline Concerns

Nathan Sterry of Sterry Engineering provided an update on the main project at 1095 May River Road. The subdivision plat is being prepared for submission to the town, with infrastructure largely in place except for a waterline tie-in at May River Road scheduled for the following week. Once the tie-in is complete, the E4JASPR close-out process will commence. While there is no firm date for vertical construction, permits are anticipated to be pulled this month. Committee members expressed concern about the project's slow progress and the lack of a detailed timeline, noting it appears to be two years behind schedule.