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Town News This Week - January 9, 2026 |
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The Hilton Head Island Town Council and OneStreet Residential, LLC have reached an agreement on covenants and a long-term ground lease for the Northpoint on Jarvis Creek (Northpoint). These final steps enable the construction and long-term management of a 157-unit workforce housing neighborhood on an 11-acre tract of Town-owned land at Northpoint Circle. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2026. Construction mobilization and site work began Jan. 8.
As part of the public-private partnership, the Town is providing the project vision, zoning entitlements, a 65-year ground lease, $1 million to support eligible site work with contributions secured from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund, affordability covenants to maintain a workforce neighborhood in perpetuity, and long-term monitoring and programming support.
OneStreet Residential, LLC’s role involves design oversight, permitting, financing, project management, construction, lease-up, programming, and property management.
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The Hilton Head Island Town Council has convened the Land Management Ordinance (LMO) Task Force with its first meeting held on Jan. 6. The LMO Task Force, composed of 21 residents, industry professionals, and community leaders, will guide the Town through a comprehensive review and update of its proposed land use and development regulations.
Established through a Town Council resolution adopted on Sept. 16, 2025, the LMO Task Force will provide recommendations to Town staff, the Planning Commission, and Town Council, ensuring that ordinance revisions provide harmony across environmental stewardship, community character, and economic vitality.
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The Town of Hilton Head Island has selected the Hilton Head Island–Bluffton Chamber of Commerce as its Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) and approved a new professional services contract for tourism marketing.
The contract reflects a shared commitment by the Town and the DMO to promote a thriving, visitor-friendly community that benefits those who live and work on the Island year-round. It is structured to promote transparency, invite public understanding, and ensure tourism marketing decisions are informed by community values, priorities, and feedback.
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Shawn brings more than 20 years of local government experience and most recently served as City Manager of Tybee Island, Georgia. He has officially joined the Town as Assistant Town Manager of Operations. His background includes leading major capital and engineering projects, advancing stormwater and coastal resiliency initiatives, and overseeing facilities and fleet operations. We are thrilled to welcome Shawn and excited about the expertise and energy he brings to our team.
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Join your Town Council, Town Manager and staff, and fellow community members from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 27 for the 2026 Town of Hilton Head Island Strategic Action Plan Update at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort, in the Elliot/Drayton/Heyward Rooms at 2 Grasslawn Ave.
Learn more about what the Town has already accomplished in the first half of fiscal year 2026 (July 1 - Dec. 31, 2025) and what will be prioritized in the months ahead. There will also be an opportunity share your thoughts during the public comment session.
This is an excellent chance to hear firsthand about the significant progress that has occurred to date, and how the future of Hilton Head Island is taking shape through the ongoing implementation of the 2026-2028 Strategic Action Plan.
If you can't be with us in person, you can catch a live broadcast of the public meeting by tuning into our Town of Hilton Head Island - YouTube page. Staff will be available to provide Spanish translation on site as needed.
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We are now accepting applications for funding for affiliated agencies providing contracted services to the Town of Hilton Head Island. The application period closes on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at 3 p.m. Detailed information and application forms are available on the Town's website.
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In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Town of Hilton Head Island administrative offices will be on closed Monday, Jan. 19. Offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20.Town emergency services will be available.
Also, the Beaufort County Convenience Center, located at 26 Summit Road on Hilton Head Island, will be closed on Monday. Normal operating hours will resume at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
In celebration of Dr. King’s legacy, we encourage everyone to participate in the events organized by the Hilton Head MLK Committee for Justice.
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This Week’s Progress (Jan. 2-9)
Marinex Construction continued pumping operations, placing over 92,000 cubic yards of sand in the central part of the island, including beach areas along Palmetto Dunes. Work is progressing south.
Cape Romain Contractors resumed work on the breakwater structures at Pine Island Beach on Jan. 3, after a brief holiday pause. This project will take several months to finish. Pine Island Beach remains closed during this phase.
Looking Ahead (Jan. 10-16)
Marinex Construction will continue to work on a portion of the central Island beach in the Palmetto Dunes area and begin mobilizing approximately 18,000 feet of pipe to secure sand from Gaskin Banks.
Cape Romain Contractors will continue working on the breakwater structures at Pine Island Beach, weather permitting.
Early January 2026
The beach tilling at Fish Haul and the Heel will commence in early January. Once the tilling is complete, the sidewalk will be repaired at Fish Haul. Once that is done the project at these portions of the beach will be complete.
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Starting Monday, January 13, 2026, construction crews will begin work to restore and clean existing stormwater retention ponds on Town of Hilton Head Island owned property located near Bryant Road and adjacent to Deep Fording Road.
This work is part of the Town’s ongoing efforts to improve stormwater infrastructure, as outlined in the Fiscal Years 2026 – 2028 Strategic Action Plan. Crews will work Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and expect to complete the project in late January, weather permitting. No area closures are expected at this time.
Drivers and pedestrians should exercise caution while traveling through the area. For details about the project, contact Chris McVey, Senior Project Manager, at ChrisM@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or 854-280-552.
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Several projects are scheduled and underway to improve local infrastructure and connectivity across the Town. This work also supports the Town’s ongoing efforts to enhance major corridors and streets and maintain and enhance parks and recreational facilities, as outlined in the Fiscal Years 2026 - 2028 Strategic Action Plan.
Maintenance Work at Jarvis Creek Pump Station
Maintenance work is scheduled at the Town’s Jarvis Creek Stormwater Pump Station on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Scheduled activities will require temporary lane closures on Nature’s Way west of Pembroke Drive. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes if possible. For more information, contact Cary Adams, Stormwater Maintenance Program Administrator, at CaryA@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or 843-341-4706.
Maintenance Work at Barker Field Extension
Parking lot maintenance at the Barker Field Extension, located at 160 Mitchelville Road, is scheduled to begin the week of Jan. 20. Crews will work daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with completion anticipated by the end of February, weather permitting. For more information, please contact Stephen Barnes, Senior Project Manager, at StephenB@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or 843-384-9018.
Field Survey Work
Survey work is currently underway from Marsh Point Road along Gumtree Road to Bus Drive to improve connectivity between the proposed Northpoint neighborhood and nearby schools. Crews are working Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and expect to complete the survey early this month, weather permitting.
Beginning Monday, Jan. 26, survey crews will also be working along Arrow Road to Wexford Drive in preparation for a new multi-use path—an important step toward improving this corridor. This effort is funded through a grant partnership between the Town and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). Crews will work Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and expect to complete the survey by the end of February, weather permitting.
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Our 911 Telecommunicators answered 54,861 calls in 2025, including 24,338 emergency and 30,523 non-emergency calls, resulting in 10,040 incidents and 13,914-unit responses across Hilton Head Island. These record-breaking numbers reflect the growing needs of our community and our team’s unwavering commitment to public safety. We are immensely proud of our team and their tireless efforts to respond, protect, and serve every call, every time. The team looks forward to continuing their mission and serving our community in 2026. Thank you for your continued support of Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue!
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The 2026 Lowcountry Hazard Mitigation Plan update is seeking your feedback. Your input will help shape a comprehensive plan that identifies the most common natural and man-made hazards in our region. The update will also highlight social vulnerability indicators to better protect at-risk populations and outline strategies to reduce the loss of life, property damage, and other impacts from future disasters. The survey will remain open through Jan. 31.
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 The Hilton Head Island Recreation Association wants to hear from you! Take a few minutes to complete their brief annual survey and help them improve your experience. As a thank you for sharing your feedback, one lucky participant will be selected to receive a $75 gift card to Hudson’s Seafood Restaurant. The deadline to respond is Jan. 23.
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It’s tax season and there’s tax preparation help for some taxpayers. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, powered by United Way of the Lowcountry in partnership with the Beaufort County Human Services Alliance and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), offers free, confidential, and secure tax preparation and e-filing services for qualifying taxpayers in Beaufort, Jasper, Colleton, Bamberg and Barnwell counties, including:
- Individuals and families earning less than $67,000 annually
- Individuals with disabilities
- Non-English speaking taxpayers
- Individuals 60 years of age and older
For the latest information about VITA services, tax help locations, what to bring to your appointment, and to schedule your VITA Free Tax Prep appointment, visit uwlowcountry.org/our-work/vita/. For questions, email vitalowcountrysc@gmail.com or call 843-321-9071.
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 Theresa McVey, Traffic Operations Manager, talks about new rectangular rapid flashing beacons at crosswalks between Beach City and Dillon Roads, designed to help with pedestrian crossing.
Each month, Mayor Alan Perry updates residents on Town initiatives and community events through his columns published in the Hilton Head Sun and CH2 Magazine.
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