Will a Trail Come to Downtown Bluff?

An article published online by Lowcountry Weekly spurred the concerns of many locals about the future of Beaufort's beloved downtown bluff. City Council in concert with the Friends of Spanish Moss trail are considering a connector to downtown that will cross over the bluff, with artist renderings already complete. Last night's city council meeting featured the call for a resolution of support by the city for the vision of the Friends of Spanish Moss Trail.

Dean Moss (founder and director of Friends of Spanish Moss Trail) calls for an extra wide trail from Depot road to the Beaufort elementary school. Connecting from there to downtown Beaufort is the goal of the FSMT (Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail) but that's where the plan has yet to come up with concrete options. Moss was sure to mention that this would be the city's trail and that this plan would discontinue without the city's expressed blessing. As of this moment no fund raising has begun and no sure plans have been laid. The city has made clear to Moss that due to budget constraints it has no money to allocate for this project and most likely will not in the foreseeable future.

So far a concept has been rendered and surveying work has been done in order to determine the next step. The survey should be ready soon and available to the city. When asked about what locations the survey included Moss stated that per FSMT's instructions only Bay Street was considered. This fact comes into conflict with some council members posts online that stated other street options were being considered as possibilities. Below the bluff has been considered, but it will be a much more intrusive and costly project. According to Moss the concept pictures posted that drew outrage are not accurate to what would be constructed. Moss did state that he wanted to retain as many of the bluff parking spots as possible.

Councilman Murray addressed the Lowcountry Weekly article and the grave objections of citizens. He further went on to state that he was under the impression that all home owners along the bluff had been notified and made aware of the plans, a notion that was debunked by homeowners present. Murray was quick to point out that none of this was a done deal, calling it "as firm as warm jello." He made sure to mention that of all the comments posted about the trail, none were in favor of it, a fact he found surprising. With that in mind, along with the city's lack of funding, and public concern over parking, he decided to give his blessing on the resolution.

Councilwoman Sutton reiterated her shock as well at the comments on the Lowcountry Weekly page. Sutton expressed a desire to have a forum for the public to lend their voices. The mayor made sure to mention that this is not a plan but rather a vision. The FSMT is currently spending privately funding on this vision without any assurances from the city. Mayor Keyserling also made sure to mention the divisive and misleading nature of social media when it comes to local government projects. Keyserling reaffirmed his commitment to a more active and connected Beaufort.

Former council member Mike Sutton took the podium to implore to the council to vote for what they know to be true: a 10ft wide concrete connector on the bluff would forever change to face of Beaufort. Sutton see's Beaufort becoming eroded piece by piece and that this would contribute. Mayor Keseyrling responded by saying that he completely disagrees with that sentiment. Councilman Murray expressed his surprise at Sutton's position, considering his hand in projects when he sat on council. Following this the council voted yes unanimously on an amended resolution.

So will a concrete trail come to the downtown bluff? Not yet, but it has made an initial step down that road with a city resolution to cooperate.