‘Beautiful piece of terrain’: Beaufort demolition project to turn eyesore into green space
The former Wendy’s restaurant on Boundary Street in Beaufort will be knocked down beginning next week as part of a broader effort to improve access, views and drainage along Battery Creek.
Demolition of the vacant building will take fewer than 10 days, says Neal Pugliese, a consultant who coordinates infrastructure projects for the city. It will include removal of the building, asphalt and concrete.
“We’re hoping,” Pugliese said, “for this to literally be turned right back into green space.”
Removing the fast-food restaurant is one of the final obstacles to the continued development of the 1.3-acre Battery Saxton Park on the south side of one of Beaufort’s busiest commercial thoroughfares. A Union Army gun battery was established at that site in 1862 during the Civil War.
The city, Beaufort County and nonprofit Beaufort County Open Land Trust have worked together to buy and demolish property along the half-mile sliver of land, which is sandwiched between Battery Creek and Boundary Street, and book-ended by a historic African American cemetery and a former Applebee’s restaurant, offering great views of the marshes that abut the city.
“Really a beautiful piece of terrain,” Pugliese said. “We’re just looking forward to turning this into green space big time. “
All told, the city, county and Open Land Trust have spent several million dollars to clear the land and reveal and preserve views of the marsh and Battery Creek. The entities spent more than $1.5 million to buy Sea Eagle Market, a vacant Huddle House and a former United Way building.
Removing the buildings and the concrete has the added benefit, Pugliese said, of allowing water to soak into the ground, improving drainage.
The former United Way building, currently used by Beaufort County for office space, is the final building that needs to be torn down. That building is expected to be demolished in 60-90 days, Pugliese said.
Benches and trails are planned in the park so residents and visitors can walk in the area and enjoy the environment.
This story was originally published October 28, 2022 at 9:27 AM.
