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Uncertainty Looms Over Port Royal’s Waterfront Development

A waterfront view of Port Royal featuring marinas and boats.

News Summary

Port Royal’s long-awaited waterfront development faces uncertainty following the sale of Safe Harbor Marinas to Blackstone. With over 40 years of planning, citizens voice concerns regarding the future of marina-related projects. Recent legal disputes and slow development progress add to the anxieties among local officials and residents, calling into question the original agreements made for the waterfront area.

Port Royal’s Waterfront Development Faces Uncertainty Following Sale of Safe Harbor Marinas to Blackstone

Port Royal’s long-awaited waterfront development is now shrouded in uncertainty following the recent sale of Safe Harbor Marinas to Blackstone Infrastructure.

Key points regarding the situation include:

Forty-Year Planning: Port Royal’s waterfront development has been in planning for over four decades.
Initial Agreement: Safe Harbor had reached an agreement with local leaders to proceed with marina-related projects.
Sale Details: The marina operator was sold for $5.65 billion following a transaction from Sun Communities.
Property Acquisition: Safe Harbor purchased the Port Royal waterfront property in 2021 for $20.5 million.
Operations: The company operates 138 marinas across the U.S., but its sale raises questions about local development.

Local sentiment remains skeptical about the effectiveness of the initial agreements. Citizens have voiced concerns over the slow progression and potential changes in development plans.

Recent legal disputes complicate matters further. A lawsuit from the nonprofit Protect Beaufort challenges the city’s lease agreement with Safe Harbor.

Tensions have escalated as:

Mayor’s Criticism: Mayor Kevin Phillips has criticized the slow pace of the marina development, citing economic implications for Port Royal.
Council Concerns: In a letter to Safe Harbor, the town expressed unease about the lack of development, particularly regarding plans for rental housing, which residents oppose.
Planned Residential Units: Proposed residential developments include 205 townhomes and 34 single-family homes set as “build-to-rent” properties.

Town officials are also worried about the repurposing of docks for projects unrelated to the marina.

In a proactive effort,

Communication Call: Safe Harbor stated its eagerness to continue development, claiming support from the town is necessary for progress.
Deadline Set: Mayor Phillips has set a deadline for Safe Harbor to provide updates on their development plans by January 12, 2024.
Future Plans: The town is planning to build a commercial dock and seafood processing facility, alongside extending the Spanish Moss Trail through Safe Harbor’s property.

As discrepancies in development approaches arise, the town emphasizes the critical need for ongoing communication with Safe Harbor to advance the waterfront project.