Transforming a Waterfront Brownfield into a Community Treasure
Nestled along the scenic shores of Big Bay Creek, the Town of Edisto Beach, South Carolina, set out to transform a once-derelict property into a vibrant public park. What stood on the property, a former seafood operation and marine maintenance facility, held both cultural history and environmental challenges. With a deep understanding of coastal redevelopment and environmental regulations, GEL was selected, alongside landscape architect John Tarkany, to bring the vision of Bay Creek Park to life.
Community Vision Meets Technical Expertise
Before any ground could be broken, community engagement took center stage. The Town of Edisto Beach conducted a voter referendum to approve the redevelopment of the Bell Buoy Seafood Site, ensuring public alignment and transparency.
GEL Engineering played a key role in stakeholder outreach, organizing public charrettes and community discussions. Once the referendum passed, the path toward a community-driven redevelopment was officially underway.
From Industrial Past to Public Asset: Navigating Brownfield Redevelopment
The site’s industrial history earned it a Brownfield designation, requiring careful environmental evaluation and cleanup planning. Under GEL’s guidance, the Town entered a Voluntary Cleanup Contract (VCC) with SCDES's Bureau of Land and Waste Management, initiating a comprehensive and sustainable remediation process.
Environmental Remediation Highlights:
-
Excavation of contaminated upland soils to restore ecological balance
-
Sediment cleanup in a former marine rail area through excavation or capping
-
Coordination with regulatory agencies, including OCRM and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, due to tidal wetland impacts
This phase balanced regulatory compliance, public safety, and long-term usability, ensuring the project met the highest environmental standards.
Overcoming Coastal Permitting Challenges
Filling tidal wetlands is one of the most regulated and scrutinized actions in coastal engineering. However, GEL’s in-depth understanding of the regulatory landscape revealed a rare, compliant solution that enabled redevelopment while maintaining environmental integrity.
Why Filling the Marine Rail Area Was Critical
-
Created a straight bulkhead for better public access
-
Isolated contaminated sediment from the marine environment
-
Improved site safety and simplified maintenance
Through extensive collaboration with OCRM and the U.S. Army Corps, GEL successfully demonstrated:
-
The public benefit of the project
-
The environmental protection achieved through remediation
-
The Town’s qualification for mitigation-free approval under state and federal regulations
This rare approval in South Carolina underscores GEL’s technical expertise and regulatory insight in coastal permitting.
Designing and Building a Waterfront Destination
After completing remediation, GEL led the design, engineering, and construction oversight for Bay Creek Park’s new infrastructure.
Key Infrastructure and Design Features
-
Reconstructed and expanded the dock for public access
-
Bulkhead installation along Big Bay Creek
-
Conversion of the former shrimp boat launch into an integrated park space
-
Construction of a new seawall for shoreline protection
-
Utility installation, stormwater management, and parking improvements
GEL also managed bidding, specifications, and contractor coordination, ensuring cost efficiency, safety, and compliance throughout construction.
Celebrating the Bay Creek Park Transformation
When the redevelopment was complete, Bay Creek Park opened with a Shag Dance and Fishing Tournament, symbolizing community pride and renewal.
Today, the park serves as a year-round gathering space for residents and visitors, hosting festivals, concerts, and local events along Edisto’s picturesque waterfront.
The Town of Edisto Beach continues to partner with GEL for ongoing maintenance and future park enhancements, proof of a trusted partnership built on vision and results.
A Model for Sustainable Waterfront Redevelopment
The Bay Creek Park Redevelopment in Edisto Beach stands as a benchmark project for converting challenged waterfront properties into public assets through collaboration, environmental responsibility, and thoughtful design.
GEL’s integrated approach, combining environmental remediation, engineering innovation, and stakeholder engagement, turned a former seafood dock into a beloved, ecologically responsible coastal park.
For communities facing similar brownfield redevelopment challenges, Bay Creek Park demonstrates that with the right expertise, even the most complex sites can become vibrant, sustainable public spaces.