News

Special Called Dorchester County Council Meeting

Published

1 year ago

May 19, 2023

Press Release

On Monday, May 22nd, 2023, Dorchester County Council will hold a special called meeting regarding 500 N. Main Street and the Midtown TIF District. This meeting will take place in the County Council Chambers in Summerville (500 N. Main Street) at 5:00pm. Council will discuss the merits of removing the 500 N. Main Street property from the Midtown TIF District.

This could allow greater capacity to incorporate the community’s feedback to preserve the façade of the old hospital, create a new civic park and fund improvements to the Veterans Memorial, improve Main and Cedar Streets, and provide opportunities for workforce housing.

Placing 500 N. Main Street under a Fee in Lieu of Tax agreement will allow fee revenues to be bonded above the value of what the TIF can provide. The County could then achieve several goals by providing greater flexibility to complete projects inside and outside of the TIF District. Fee revenues would support the following:

Funding to preserve the façade of the old hospital building.
A new civic park and improvements to the Veterans Memorial.
An additional $8 Million in funding to DD2 schools to supplement $2 Million from the TIF.
Provide $20 Million in funding for a Community Recreation Facility in the Summerville area.
Provide $2 Million in additional funding for streetscaping and improvements to Main Street and Cedar Street.
Provide credits for workforce housing for teachers, firefighters, law enforcement, and first responders within the multi-family development for at least 15 years.
A modern County office building and additional Class A Office Space in the downtown area.
A new downtown hotel and restaurant to provide much needed retail and hospitality amenities in the downtown area.
Create additional parking by providing for the construction of a parking garage in the downtown area.

The county has been working with town and school officials to determine the path forward to continue making improvements in our community.