Locating a unit of the University of South Carolina Beaufort in the Coligny area as a part of redevelopment is unthinkable.

This popular beach area is already overburdened with pedestrians, vehicles, bikes, shoppers, theft and inadequate and uncontrolled parking. During the beach season, residents of North and South Forest Beach are happy to see visitors enjoying our area, but it puts severe restraints on those living here and affects the safety of everyone. Residents each year are already trying to deal with college students who have no respect for peace and quiet and inadequate parking for mansions permitted by the town.

Redevelopment does not warrant locating a culinary-hospitality training facility at Coligny, along with use by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. There are plenty of vacant buildings away from Coligny available for these programs. The island already has a successful senior life-long learning program that pre-dates Osher at USCB. Also, it seems that Chancellor Jane Upshaw and her ardent supporters would relocate USC's main campus to Beaufort County if they had their way.

It was understood that the town's purchase of the Coligny property with our taxes would be used for future parking and open space. We encourage residents of North and South Forest Beach, who will be affected by these redevelopment plans, to sound off to our mayor and Town Council. The bottom line is no USCB at Coligny.

Johnnie Lee and David Witt

Hilton Head Island