#WPi - Mark Baker and Linda Youst at the 2013 TAB Synergy Conference held at the Beaufort Marine Base. Thank you TAPSNAP!


 

Shelter Cove Kroger holds VIP Preview Party

VIP Preview Party for Kroger at the new Shelter Cove Town Center!

Spartanburg's County Council accepted the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association's Award given to Tyger River Park for "Park of the Year."  WPi was commissioned to prepare master planning and construction document services for the 100 acre regional park. Featured online at GoUpstate.
 

We are excited to announce Donald Hummel as the Winner of the Nook for the NC/SC Joint Conference! Congratulations Donald and thanks again to all who visited WPi at the 2013 NC/SC Joint Recreation and Parks Association Conference in Raleigh, NC!

The 2014 NSA & Louisville Slugger Class A World Series will be hosted at Tyger River Park located in Spartanburg, SC. The Class A World Series will be hosted in SC during July 21st to 27th of 2014. WPi provided master planning and construction documents for the 100 acre regional park.

And the Winner of the Nook goes to Kent Johnston! Congratulations Kent and thanks again to all who visited WPi at the 2013 Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference in Columbus, GA!

WPi's President, Mark Baker presented John Clement, Brooklyn, N.Y. artist,  as the chosen sculpture of the Public Art Exhibit presented by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. John's sculpture will be purchased and installed at one of the sites approved by the Town of Hilton Head for public art. If you couldn't make it out last night, take a look at the Video Announcing Winner!

Where would you like to see public art?
 

WPi is in Raleigh, NC today and tomorrow for the Annual NC/SC Joint Recreation and Parks Association Conference. Visit our Booth #211 for your chance to win a free Nook and see many of the new and exciting projects that we are working on!

WPi will also be presenting at the Conference "Making Sense of Sustainable Design" at 10 AM today at the Raleigh Convention Center. You don't want to miss this!

WPi recently added staff to our Hilton Head Island office. Hilton Head Monthly Magazine featured Brad Hix, Project Planner and Linda Lamb, Marketing Coordinator in their November 2013 Issue. Welcome Aboard!

Check this out! "The Evolution of Urban Planning in 10 Diagrams" Featured on The Atlantic Cities website. Interesting Read!

Come and visit WPi at the Georgia Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference in Columbus, GA Tomorrow 11/5/13 at the "Ironworks" Convention & Trade Center! Our Booth #64 features many new and exciting projects for you to take a sneak peak! We will also be presenting a session featuring "Making Sense of Sustainable Design" tomorrow from 10 to 11:15 AM.   Hope to see you there!

 

The 18th Annual State of Region Luncheon is just minutes away...WPi is looking forward to this informative event and is excited to connect with the community! Hopefully we will see you there!
Hilton Head Chamber

 

Conceptual Plans Revealed for the New Harbour Town Clubhouse

The conceptual plan for the Harbour Town Clubhouse located in Sea Pines Resort features a new $20 Million + Clubhouse. WPi is providing master planning, site design and landscape architectural services for this project. Full Article in The Island Packet.

Renovations to Pineland Station on Hilton Head Island, SC? - It could be possible and WPi is excited  to be apart of this project! Featured on Island Packet Check back for more updates....

Historic Fourth Ward Park was also recently Awarded Project of Year at the 2013 Urban Land Institute Awards of Excellence.

The second Phase of the project was designed by WPi and links the Phase 1 Stormwater feature to outdoor "rooms" for passive and active recreation.

Historic Fourth Ward Park was recently featured as September's Frontline Park on City Park Blog. 

Each month the site "recognizes a “Frontline Park” to promote and highlight inspiring examples of urban park excellence, innovation, and stewardship across the country. The program also seeks to highlight examples of the challenges facing our cities’ parks as a result of shrinking municipal budgets, land use pressures, and urban neighborhood decay."  Noted on City Park Blog.

The second Phase of the project was designed by WPi and links the Phase 1 Stormwater feature to outdoor "rooms" for passive and active recreation.

New  Entry for Hilton Head Island proposed in order "to enhance the experience as visitors and residents land on the island.." referenced by project manager Mark Baker, President of Wood+Partners Inc. Featured in the Island Packet. Please click here for full article. 

Free Admission starts Saturday at the "Around the Horn" Exhibit at Honey Horn featuring almost a mile long trail of 20 outdoor sculptures presented by The Community Foundation of Lowcountry. Yesterday marked the unveiling of the sculptures at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn.

Beginning Saturday, September 21st through Dec. 31. Admission is free. The Exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 4 :30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Full article in The Island Packet. Come out and enjoy!

Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2013/09/18/2691530/a-mile-of-statues-to-be-displayed.html#storylink=cpy

Maybe one step closer...Hilton Head Plantation Officials Considering $2M Pool Renovations featured in the Island Packet.

Wood+Partners Inc. was commissioned by the Hilton Head Plantation Board to provide a concept plan for possible pool renovations of the Spring Lake Pool.
 

Open to the Public:   The Public Art Exhibition on Hilton Head Island, SC. Opening Late September through December 2013. Get ready for some educational and inspiring art from all around the world!
For more information please visit Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. Check back for further details.
 

Urban Land Institute (ULI) featured an article on "Crowdfunding Your Way to an Urban Identity" by Patrick Kiger last month. One of the urban areas they highlighted was the One Spark Festival in downtown Jacksonville, FL. This is a must read on the ULI Website....

Urban Land Institute(ULI) Open Space Award Finalists
The ULI competition "recognizes outstanding examples of transformative and vibrant public open spaces - large and small - that have spurred economic and social regeneration of their adjacent communities." Full Article
 

Active Lifestyle and Decreasing Carbon Footprint....Bicyclist Keep Pedaling Away!

The Town of Hilton Head Island has taken a leadership role to promote sustainable modes of transportation which would increase bike paths as noted in the "Shifting Gears:  Hilton Head Island Embracing Bicycles" as featured on the Sustainable City Network website.

Construction Should Be Underway Soon for the West Ashley Circle at Bees Ferry Road and Glenn McConnell Parkway. WPi was commissioned to lead a Design Planning Workshop and Charrette to plan the next phase of the Glen McConnell Parkway, but construction of the project was placed on hold for quite some time. Now it is back on the table....Please see full article in the Post and Courier.

Possible Pool Renovations at Hilton Head Plantation!

Wood+Partners Inc. was commissioned by the Hilton Head Plantation Board to provide a concept plan for possible pool renovations of the Spring Lake Pool. Please see the full story located in Plantation Living Newsletter for Residents of Hilton Head Plantation.

Ground Breaking Ceremony at Tired Creek Lake!
WPi has been hired by the County to assist in the planning process along with sub-consultant Applied Technology & Management, a marina consultant. As a framework, they will use the Master Lake Development Plan which WPi created as part of the permitting process with the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Please see below for the full article provided by Randy Wind, Editor with the Cairo Messenger.

COUNTY OFFICIALS were all smiles as they broke ground on the Tired Creek Lake dam Tuesday. Shown are, l-r, Vice Chairman T.D. David, Attorney Kevin S. Cauley, Chairman Billy Poitevint, Commissioner Elwyn Childs, Commissioner LaFaye Copeland, Commissioner Charles Norton, Congressman Sanford Bishop, Patsy Moye - representing the late Rusty Moye, County Clerk Carrie Kines, and County Administrator Carlos Tobar.

Under a clear, blue sky Tuesday morning a crowd of approximately 100 gathered to witness the ground breaking ceremony for the Tired Creek Lake dam.
The ceremony featured U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop, who has been an ally for the county on the lake project for many years.
“Today’s success is due to persistence. There were times when it seemed that the process would stall or fail, but due to the hard work of many people, we are here to celebrate,” Congressman Bishop said.
“It’s been a labor of love—long love—lots of hours, lots of months and lots of years. Today, the people of Grady County have cause to really celebrate,” he added.
The congressman, whose efforts in 2010 resulted in the issuance of the federal 404 permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, predicted the 960-acre lake will improve the quality of life not just in Grady County, but in the entire southwest Georgia region.
“When you teach your children to fish, remember today. Remember our persistence and our belief in the Tired Creek project. And teach your children that you can cast your nets where there are seemingly no fish, because if you’re persistent, you will reel in a catch,” Bishop said.
Joining the congressman Tuesday were current and former members of the Grady County commission as well as current and former members of the Georgia General Assembly including Rep. Darlene Taylor, former representatives Wallace Sholar and Dr. Eugene Maddox, and former state senator Harold Ragan.
Members of the newly formed Grady County Lake Authority were in attendance as were consultants Wm. Thomas Craig and Laura Benz.
It was a particularly memorable day for District 1 Commissioner Elwyn Childs who was a member of the commission when the land for the lake was purchased in 1972 and remains a member today.
“This is a historic time for Grady County. I hope the people in the future will benefit from and enjoy this lake for generations to come. All the efforts of the last 40 years are coming to life,” Childs said.
Joining him at Tuesday’s ground breaking was his grandson Asher Childs, who enjoyed a brief reprieve from school to witness the historic event.
County Clerk Carrie Kines also shared the historic moment with her father, Winburn Knight, who was a member of the Grady County Recreation Commission in the 1970s.
“To be able to share his vision and celebrate this day with him was very special for me and is a privilege for me,” Ms. Kines said.
Important players in the Tired Creek project who unfortunatley died before seeing construction begin were also represented Tuesday.
The late Judson Mayfield, a former county commissioner and the influential chairman of the Grady County Recreation Commission was represented by his daughter Marjorie Taylor while the late Rusty Moye, Grady County administrator, was represented by his widow Patsy Moye.
Mrs. Margaret Long was also a special guest Tuesday as she represented her late husband and former state representative Bobby Long, who was a strong advocate for the lake.
The ground breaking was also meaningful to the newest member of the Grady County commission.
“To be there Tuesday and see history in the making was very exciting to me. I am proud of all of the commissioners who have served before me and those I serve with now who have made Tired Creek a reality. It’s a great day,” Commissioner LaFaye Copeland said.
Commissioner Charles Norton, perhaps the lake’s strongest proponent, summed it up saying, “It took a long time to get us to today, but construction is under way. A lot of people deserve credit for this. It took teamwork to make this a reality.”

Outstanding Redevelopment Recognized at the Farmers Market Site at USC!

“Quality design, sustainability and the creation of a new civic space” is just a sneak peek from one of own at WPi. Please read the full article featured on The Official South Carolina Athletics Site

Coligny Redevelopment

Exciting ideas discussed at the Coligny Redevelopment Meeting at Town Hall

Please read full article featured in the Island Packet…

Tour Hilton Head Island in 36 Hours by The NY Times

Hilton Head Island and the surrounding areas couldn’t possibly be in the spotlight more than it has been in the past several months with being voted #8 of the Top 10 Islands in the United States by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine and one of the top 10 Family Beaches as referenced by The Hilton Head Island – Chamber of Commerce. With all of this being said, spending 36 hours on Hilton Head Island, just doesn’t seem like enough time to capture all of the amazing treasures, but The NY Times has proved us wrong and decided to feature an article on the “36 Hours in Hilton Head Island, SC.” This is a must read!http://tinyurl.com/ko4f32c

Exciting Changes at the Shelter Cove Mall and Waterfront Park

Exciting changes are under way at the new Shelter Cove Mall and Waterfront Park! Construction is in progress.We will continue to post up to date photos of the project, but in case you missed all the details please see below.

In June of 2012, the Town of Hilton Head unanimously backed the plan presented by Blanchard & Calhoun Commercial Real Estate to redevelop the Shelter Cove Mall into Shelter Cove Towne Centre - a vibrant part of the Hilton Head Island economy and community culture. Demolition of the existing building began in January 2013 and by February 12^th; the Town of Hilton Head Island gave final approval to Wood+Partners, Inc. and architectural firms MSTSD, Lee & Parker, Tom Crews Architects on their design for the mixed use project. Boasting 295,000 SF of retail and restaurant space anchored by Kroger and Belk, 210 luxury apartments, and  a 5-acre linear waterfront park,  the rejuvenated area will provide both residents and vacationers with a unique outdoor shopping and residential experience in a park-like atmosphere.  

  

Other than providing enjoyment of the Broad Creek and ideal waterfront event space, a new waterfront park will offer residents and visitors walking and biking trails which connect Broad Creek to Burke’s Beach and other existing trail systems on the island. Phase one of the development is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2013.