A significant infrastructure project took center stage at the Hardeeville City Council meeting on December 12, 2024, as officials discussed plans to improve parking and sidewalks across the city. The council is poised to approve a resolution authorizing the city manager to hire APAC Atlantic as the general contractor for the project, which has a budget of approximately $2.25 million.

City Manager Gruber highlighted the urgency of the project, noting that bids have come in significantly higher than previous estimates due to inflation and increased stormwater infrastructure costs. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated for the project must be contracted by December 31, 2024, making timely approval crucial to avoid losing these federal funds.

The proposed improvements include expanding parking at the recreation center, constructing sidewalks on Boyd Street, and paving the Public Works Building parking lot, which is currently a gravel area. The project aims to address ongoing parking shortages and enhance accessibility, with plans for additional ADA-compliant spaces.

Council members expressed their priorities, emphasizing the importance of the recreation center and Boyd Street improvements over the Public Works project. Discussions also touched on the need for a strategic approach to funding, with potential budget amendments required to cover the full scope of work.

As the council prepares to vote on the resolution, the timeline for construction is set to begin in January 2025, with hopes of alleviating parking issues and improving infrastructure for the growing community. The outcome of this meeting could significantly impact the city's development and accessibility in the coming years.