SI Magazine Winter 2016-17

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By the People,
For the People
A New TowN HAll
In mid-OctOber, the tOwn Of
Sullivan’s Island opened its brand-new doors
to employees and the public. The welcoming
front porches and casual island design of the
new Town Hall, reminiscent of the island’s
celebrated lifesaving station, provide a
convenient “one-stop-shop” for residents to find
the town’s administrative offices,
Council chambers and Police
Department – and the Fire Department is next door.
For Town Administrator Andy Benke, the new
Town Hall represents a lot more than simply an added
convenience. As an emergency operations center, the
new building will keep the island’s necessary staff –
water, sewer, fire chief, town administrator – safe during
emergencies and immediately available to begin the
task of getting the town and its residents safely and
quickly back on track. From hurricanes to ice storms,
brownouts to bridge-outs, the new facility is equipped
to help the island’s backbone get back up and running
in times of need.
“The design committee and architect were very
careful to work with only what was needed and whittle it
down as much as possible,” Benke explained. “Space for
employees now, flexibility for the future, material costs.
Everything adds up, but we were very careful to make
sure the money was spent only where necessary. A lot of
the project cost is what people aren’t going to see – flood
proofing, moisture guard, hurricane resistance – that’s
what will be so important this hurricane season, and
hurricane seasons 80 years from now.”
But the handsome structure was also designed to bring
island residents together. Its location is in the center of
town, next to the beloved J. Marshall Stith Park along
Middle Street, and it’s intended to serve as the backdrop
for community events for generations. Its front porch
seating will offer yet another vantage point for residents
to experience the island’s great traditions like the
Christmas tree lighting or Fourth of July. Great care was
taken to respect the borders of Stith Park, and even some
enhancements – including bathrooms – were made to the
park itself.
“December of 2017 represents 200 years of local
government on Sullivan’s Island. This is the first real
Town Hall built by the town,” said Benke. “There have
been buildings repurposed to serve as a Town Hall, but
this is the first government building designed to be a
Town Hall. While previous structures have served the
residents well in the past, the new building will enhance
so many different aspects of the town and serve as a
source of civic pride for residents.”
While the first phase – Town Hall construction – is
now complete, the second phase is underway. The two
double-wide trailers that had housed town staff since mold
and vermin drove them from their previous offices in
2011 will be removed, and a parking lot will be built in its
place. When the lot is complete, spaces will be available for
visitors to the Commercial District after hours.
While there are no definite plans in place at this time, a grand
opening celebration for the new Town Hall probably will be
held in the winter, when the staff has had the opportunity to
settle in their new surroundings and when the second phase of
the project is complete. Please check back at the town website,
, for grand opening details, or stop in
and see the new Town Hall at 2050 Middle St.
by Anne toole