Awendaw council takes steps on Town Hall, park

The town of Awendaw took a step forward on two projects Monday, forming a task force to look at revitalizing the Town Hall and announcing efforts to turn a 60-acre piece of property into a future park.

Renovations at Town Hall have been discussed off and on the last few years, because the town, which formed in 1992, has laid its foundation in a 1939 school building that's in need of repair.

Joey Bowers, a Bishop England High School student, has worked to improve an area of the school for a learning library, but nothing has been done. Council members said the entire building could use a face-lift. Councilwoman Miriam Green said the building also has issues with mold.

"We have people working in this building. To me it's a health hazard," Green said.

Councilwoman Nell Daniels suggested forming a task force to look at renovation plans. The rest of the council unanimously agreed voting 4- 0 to form a group that would make recommendations on how to renovate the structure. Councilman Bryan McNeal was not present. Members of the audience, including Grace Gasper, volunteered to become part of the group. She said she was interested in preserving the building's character.

Later in the meeting Mayor William Alston and Bill Wallace, town planning director, announced the town's application to apply for funds to buy land slated for a development called Villages at Bulls Bay. The town has applied to the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission for the funds for the parcel surrounded by Francis Marion Forest on both sides and bordering the Intracoastal Waterway.

The owner has agreed to sell the land to the town for $1 million less than its appraised value. If the application is approved, Charleston County Parks and Recreation would match a $2,850,000 grant from the county's Greenbelt Bank Board providing a total of $5.7 million for the land. The county would own the parcel giving public access to the waterway within the town of Awendaw. The land was originally slated for a 45-home subdivision.

"It really is a wonderful piece of property," Daniels said. "It is so exciting and much better than 45 houses."

A decision on the application will be made in October.

"It's something the town could enjoy for generations to come," Alston said.

Reach Jessica Johnson at jjohnson@postandcourier.com or 937-5921.