The popular Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort had a portion of its waterside promenade closed on June 30th due to structural issues and deterioration of the supporting relieving platform and pilings.
A recent engineering assessment found significant problems that necessitated the closure for safety reasons. While the rest of the park remains open, the outlook for the seawall/promenade does not look promising after a report from the City.
The City of Beaufort, in collaboration with the Waterfront Park Advisory Committee, held a joint meeting to review findings from Phase 1A of the structural analysis of the relieving platform at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The results confirm that repairs are no longer a viable option, and full replacement is now necessary due to significant structural concerns.
Platform Must Remain Closed
Engineering analysis revealed a risk of pile buckling, prompting continued closure of the platform for public safety. The structure is not capable of supporting modern load demands, and repairs would not offer a long-term solution.
Key takeaways from that assessment state that flooding begins at 6.0 ft (NAVD88); design improvements could protect up to 9.05 ft, but protection above 11.0 ft is unfeasible. Future solutions should balance cost and benefit between the platform edge and Bay Street. The City will use a Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways (DAPP) approach to guide long-term, flexible decision-making.
Next Steps (Phase 1B & Phase 2)
The City and engineering team are moving into Phase 1B and Phase 2, which include:
Expanding the land survey to Bay Street for accurate cost-benefit analysis.
Exploring design options using adaptive modeling for varying sea levels.
Reopening the Day Dock through new permitting and design efforts.
Investigating grant opportunities to help fund future work.
Preliminary Alternatives Under Review
The team is developing and evaluating a range of options, including:
Rebuilding the platform at the same or smaller size.
Replacing it with a seawall or floating/hybrid structures.
Designing for potential commercial dockage, including cruise ships.
Public Input Will Be Needed
As planning progresses, community input is vital. The City is asking for feedback on several key questions:
Should the Day Dock be prioritized for reopening?
Should the new design accommodate commercial vessels or cruise ships?
Are there preferred alternatives or non-starters the City should be aware of?
Should Beaufort maintain the status quo, or explore a bold new vision for the waterfront?
A Phase 2 kick-off meeting will be scheduled soon to gather more community and stakeholder input. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to weigh in on the future of Beaufort’s beloved waterfront.
