Carolina Coastal Review

Sullivan's Island Bridge to Close Starting December 4th

Associated Press - November 25, 2009 5:05 PM ET

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (AP) - 1 of 2 bridges connecting an island to the to the South Carolina mainland will soon be closed to help the replacement of an aging swing bridge.  South Carolina transportation officials told the Post and Courier of Charleston the current plan is to shut the Ben Sawyer Bridge between Sullivans Island and the mainland for ten days beginning Dec. 4, but they say that date could change.

Officials say a barge will bring the new 640-ton span to replace the old one.  Crews will work around the clock to reopen the bridge as soon as possible. Until then, the only way to reach Sullivans Island will be a several-mile detour on the Isle of Palms Connector. The work is part of a $31.5 million replacement of the old bridge.
Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com

Significant price reduction on an oceanfront lot on Dewees Island. 2.17 acrea lot on front beach now asking $695,000 with seller willing to pay two years of POA dues at closing. If you are not familiar with Dewees, it is a private 1,200 acre island limited to 150 lots. There are currently 65 homes and access to the island is by ferry from Isle of Palms. More information about Dewees at www.deweesisland.net

Low Prices Draw Investors Back to Market

Sales on Charleston's barrier islands are increasing as each month passes.  The primary reason is that real estate investors are moving back into the market to take advantage of some of the incredible deals that come about as a result of short-sales and bank owned properties.

According to a recent Move.com survey, 12.1 percent of home buyers today plan to buy a home as an investment property, compared to 5.6 percent in March 2009. The survey found that 15.8 percent of those interested in investment property were men and 8.1 percent were women and 52.6 percent of the investment buyers were between ages 35 to 49.

Of the 25.3 percent of buyers who are focusing on foreclosure properties, 42 percent regard the purchase they are considering an investment and don’t plan to live in the property themselves; 13.2 percent plan to rent out the property; 11.3 percent are going to fix up the property and resell it; and 17.4 percent plan to house a family member until the property can be sold profitably.

Buyers of investment and personal property say they are motivated by these factors:

• Prices are as low as they will go, 23.6 percent

Foreclosure prices are a bargain, 18.7 percent

Great selection of homes for sale in their target community, 21.2 percent

Concerned interest rates will rise, 14.2 percent

Government Money Offered as Real Estate Buying Incentive

As part of the government's efforts to encourage people to spend money to help revive the economy, the House voted 403-12 Thursday to expand a popular tax credit for homebuyers. Buy a home before May 1 and collect up to $6,500 from the government.  If you're a first-time homebuyer, get up to $8,000.  The credit is available for the purchase of principal homes costing $800,000 or less (vacation homes are ineligible). The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000.  First time homebuyers and now move up buyers have some incentives to take action.

Ben Sawyer Bridge Replacement Update

South Carolina DOT and PCL Civil Constructors, Inc., the Design Build Contractor for the Ben Sawyer Bridge, have determined the potential start date for the Ben Sawyer Bridge Rehabilitation Project’s necessary Intracoastal Waterway closure will be no sooner than November 30, 2009. The roadway closure of Ben Sawyer Boulevard at the Ben Sawyer Bridge is expected to begin approximately three days after the waterway closure.  The bridge links Sullivan's Island with the mainland in Mt. Pleasant.  Dates are not firm so follow the latest news at www.bensawyerbridge.com

Restaurant Deals; Save 68% When Eating Out

Headed to Charleston and looking to save a few bucks on some great local restaurants, consider using restaurant coupons.  The Rewards Mall (www.rewards-mall.net) offers $25 off coupons for just $8.  These are printable coupons.  Participating restaurants on Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Mt. Pleasant and Charleston include Morgan Creek Grill, Acme Cantina, Atlanticville, Station 22, Seels, Bambu, Infuzions, Red Drum, and Oak Steakhouse.  Coupons are available for restaurants throughout the USA.

Wild Dunes USTA Senior Tennis Starts Today

Wild Dunes Resort will host the United States Tennis Association (USTA) South Carolina Section of the Super Senior Tennis Tournament starting today, November 5 through Sunday, November 8, 2009, at the Resort’s Tennis Center. The event is open to the public, and there is no charge for spectators.

Isle of Palms dredgers bring up old cannonball

We thought we would head to Ocean Club at Wild Dunes this morning to check on  progress of the beach renourishment project. We jumped in our electric Gem Car (saving gas) and off we were. The beach looks great - big difference from the thousands of sandbags shoring up condo buildings just a few short weeks ago. The Isle of Palms beach is now wide with lots of fresh sand.

The project is moving along very quickly. Today the sand was being pumped onshore in just north of building one at Ocean Club. As we walked along, we looked for treasures that might be brought up by the dredging equipment working three miles offshore. We found a few nice shells, but nothing like the workers discovered during their nights work. Workers dredged up a 14-inch-wide cannonball around 3 a.m. this morning. Apparently, they  noticed loud noises coming from a 3-foot-wide pipe that was sucking sand from the ocean.  Representatives from the historical society are now investigating the 300 pound canonball.  I'm sure there will be a lot more we will learn about the significance of the find over the days and weeks to come. In the meantime, I'll continue to enjoy the new beach and have fun looking for those smaller treasures!

IOP Beach Renourishment Project Ready to Start

The Post and Courier reported today that the Isle of Palms received a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last week, the final step before beginning the beach renourishment project. Sand from 3 miles offshore should begin coming ashore in the next couple of weeks.  Read the full story.

Mother Nature Bringing Sand onto Wild Dunes Beach

The Post & Courier reports this morning that  the offshore shoal that exacerbated the erosion on Isle of Palms is apparently moving ashore.  State coastal managers recently stood atop the wall of sandbags now protecting condominiums and houses at Wild Dunes Resort and measured an increase in the beach sand.

"There is indication that the erosion due to the shoal bypass event is subsiding and the beach is starting to build back naturally," Dan Burger, communications director for the S.C. Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, said in an e-mail.  The beach renournishment project will however move forward as scheduled.  To learn more, read the full story

In a related story, the newspaper also reported that Wild Dunes homeowners have agreed to pay a fine of $18,000 for sandbag litering. Read More