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MOUNT PLEASANT — Town Council has approved borrowing $50 million for a park and recreation initiative that voters narrowly approved in a November referendum, setting those plans in motion ahead of a coming property tax increase.

Most of the money, about $40 million, will be used to create a new park complex on more than 120 acres the town bought in 2010 for that purpose on Rifle Range Road just north of Six Mile Road.

The rest will improve existing facilities and expand a town bike/pedestrian trail network.

The first project the money will fund is renovations of the Park West swimming pool setup.

“That’s fully designed and we are going through permitting,” Director of Recreation Steve Gergick said.

The pool space doesn’t have air conditioning, heat, lockers or family changing rooms. All that will change, Gergick said, and the town will begin the process of choosing a construction company for the work in February.

The Rifle Range Road park plan is expected to relieve pressure on the town’s overwhelmed playing fields and courts while providing new amenities in a central location.

The only hint of the park’s existence now is a small parking lot and a trailhead leading into the woods and wetlands. Plans call for soccer fields, pickleball and tennis courts, a gymnasium, a network of trails, performance pavilion, fishing piers and more.

Becky Williamson, who coached tennis at Wando High School for 12 years before retirement, said it’s been hard to find available courts in recent years.

“People are moving here in droves and many of them play tennis,” she said.

Al Bradshaw-Whittemore, local ambassador for the United States Pickleball Association, is looking forward to the eight pickleball courts planned at the new park.

“It’s exploded, pickleball,” he told Town Council at a Jan. 10 meeting. “Every time I teach I have more and more people.”

Following council’s approval for borrowing $50 million, the town expects to issue bonds Jan. 27. Proposals to the town from architectural and design firms hoping to work on the new park are due the same day.

“We’ll have to go through a full design process and permitting,” Gergick said. “I would expect construction to begin in 2024.”

“It’s going to be a jewel for the town, it really is,” he said.

The town’s park site is adjacent to a Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission property that has not been improved. The combined 245 acres were purchased together in 2010 for $20 million, mostly using county greenbelt money.

Mount Pleasant is an affluent suburb with low property taxes, and the November referendum to raise the tax rate to pay for the park and recreation projects barely passed by a vote of 20,925 to 20,254.

Charleston County dropped plans for a tax-raising referendum to fund affordable housing in 2022, partly because the town’s referendum would be on the ballot in the same election. A majority of Mount Pleasant voters had previously rejected referendums on countywide housing and town parks.

Property owners can expect the town’s portion of their annual tax bill to rise by 10 percent starting with the bills that go out in October. The tax increase is expected to remain in place for 15 years to pay off the debt, which will be more than $50 million with interest.

The impact on tax bills will vary depending on the value of a property and whether it’s residential or commercial. A person with a home valued at $500,000 for tax purposes would pay another $80 yearly, for example.

Two members of the nine-person Town Council had opposed holding the referendum: Mayor Will Haynie and Councilwoman Brenda Corley. On Jan. 10 they joined a unanimous vote to do as voters asked and borrow the $50 million.

GREENVILLE — In the waning moments of Furman men’s basketball’s first NCAA tournament game in four decades, freshman Sean Humphrey’s chemistry lab stopped.

The Paladins hadn’t made the tournament in his lifetime — last appearing in 1980 — and they were trailing the favored Virginia Cavaliers 63-66 with one minute left in Orlando.

Humphrey’s instructor asked how much time was left, and everyone who was watching on their computers started to chatter about the game.

What happened next will live in Furman basketball lore and likely play on highlight reels for March Madness tournaments for years to come.

With 12.3 seconds left, Garrett Hein hit a free throw to cut the No. 4 seed Cavaliers’ lead to two, 67-65. Trapped in a smothering full-court press but with a timeout, Virginia guard Kihei Clark launched the ball down the court, Hein intercepted it and passed to JP Pegues, who stepped seamlessly into a game-winning 3-pointer with barely two seconds left.

And just like that, No. 13 seed Furman — whose only other NCAA win came in 1974 — advanced.

The win was surreal, Humphrey said.

Humphrey, who’s from Simpsonville, doesn’t much follow sports but has attended events at Furman University and knew of the team’s heartbreaking last-second loss a year ago to Chattanooga in the SoCon Tournament final that would have propelled them to the Big Dance.

“We basically all just go crazy, we just start jumping up and down — basically like you would see in a sports game but in a lab,” he said.

Junior Rebecca Copeland watched the game at Yee-Haw Brewing Co., in downtown Greenville, known for its outdoor courtyard with a jumbotron television.

They found themselves among a large Paladin crowd that erupted in celebration. She and her friends almost stayed at their apartment for the game.

“I was really glad that we went just to kind of be a part of that moment,” Copeland said. “It was so much cheering for like five straight minutes.”

Shortly after noon March 18, the Paladins will have a chance to advance to the Sweet 16 against No. 5 seed San Diego State, which beat No. 12 seed College of Charleston to spoil an Upstate vs. Lowcountry matchup.

This weekend, the town is tinted purple.

GREENVILLE — Chef Fernando Coppola was determined.

The executive chef at the AC Hotel at Camperdown was thrilled to create a more casual burger and chicken concept but knew he had to get it just right. For Coppola, that meant over a year of research and testing to find and refine every element of a perfect burger experience.

The process is encapsulated in the new name of the restaurant, Perfect Buns. The restaurant opened last year as Social Burger, but the new name and branding, Coppola said, really speaks to the journey to create the best burger.

Perfect Buns opened March 15 at Camperdown, near the intersection of South Main and East Broad streets, completing the AC’s host of culinary concepts. The menu is not hugely different from its previous incantation, but the focus is on highlighting quality in every element.

“This is not fast food,” Coppola said. “Yes, it’s very fast. And it’s a great burger and super quick, but it’s not fast food.”

Indeed, the service is fast. Orders are placed at a window facing Camperdown Plaza. Once ready, you get a text alert, grab your condiments and you’re on your way.

At the core of the menu is the perfect burger. The patty is made from grass-fed beef sourced from Hickory Nut Gap Farm. The patty is then topped with cheese — American only. Said cheese is superior in flavor, Coppola said, and the texture melts like a dream. The cheese also held up to reheating, maintaining its melty consistency without losing integrity.

Next, comes the sauce. Here, the sauce is called halo sauce, a nod to the process of perfecting the offerings. Coppola spent weeks testing the recipe to develop a sauce that is a perfect balance of creaminess, saltiness, spiciness and tanginess and is also vegan.

Finally, there is the bun. Here, Coppola sought a vessel that was chewy, would toast well, and was sturdy enough to stand up to a burger. The process took three weeks of testing before Coppola settled on the chosen bun.

Add about 20 varieties of fries, and there you have it.

“I’m very, very passionate about it, Perfect Buns,” Coppola said. “Here, I have the freedom to really make something that I would make at home. It’s how I make burgers at home for the kids. It’s just something with a lot of passion behind it. The idea was to make something good.”

Here’s a tip: order extra pickles. They are made in house and lacto-fermented, a process using natural yeast production similar to sauerkraut, kimchi and yogurt. The result is a crisp pickle with a perfectly tangy and salty flavor.

Perfect Buns also offers a hot chicken sandwich and a chicken sandwich, grilled or fried, along with a chicken-less bites option. Plans call for adding a chicken-less sandwich and a gluten-free bun option in the future, but Coppola and his team have yet to find the right options.

“I want the perfect one,” Coppola said. “So, I’m working with vendors to develop and find the perfect one.”

The restaurant serves drinks, both alcoholic and non. It is known for its frose and frozen sangria, but you’ll also find a seasonal slushy and a variety of organic juices, a few beers and a couple of wines.

The menu does not yet have desserts. Coppola is working on several items including milkshakes and one he can’t share just yet. He said it is inspired by his Argentinian roots.

“It’s not just about perfect bread,” Coppola said. “It’s about coming up with a product that reflects all that passion and the work we have in the kitchen behind to come up with something we are really proud of and we really like.”

Perfect Buns is now open at 20 E. Broad St., Camperdown Plaza in downtown Greenville. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. until midnight Friday and Saturday.

Prices range from $3 for a side of fries to $16 for a double stack meatless burger. A perfect burger is $8 and a chicken sandwich is $9.

For more visit perfectbunsgvl.com. or follow @perfectbunsgvl on Facebook and @perfectbuns_gvl on Instagram.

Pawleys Island, SC: Get Carried Away Southern Market, the popular catering and take-out business owned by Brian and Sassy Henry, is expanding into Mount Pleasant, SC, with the opening of a flagship store.

The Henrys also own a thriving beachside bed and breakfast and one of the most famous pimento cheese companies in the U.S. (Palmetto Cheese), have been a fixture in the Pawleys Island community for over 20 years.

Their new store in Mount Pleasant will feature the same delicious Southern fare that has made their Pawleys Island location a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

“We’re excited to expand our business into Mount Pleasant,” said Brian Henry. “We’ve had so much success with our Pawleys Island location, and we’re looking forward to bringing our delicious Southern cuisine to a new community.”

Get Carried Away Southern Market is known for its unique take on Southern classics, such as Sassy’s signature pimento cheese, which has become nationally adored and is now sold in 9,500 stores in 40 states. The store also offers various other dishes, from chicken salad to shrimp and grits, all made with the freshest ingredients and served with a smile.

The Henrys’ store in Mount Pleasant is located in Moultrie Plaza at 604 Coleman Blvd and will be open for business starting March 15th, 2023. The store will be open from 10 am to 6 pm weekly.

“We’re excited to be a part of the Mount Pleasant community,” said Sassy Henry. “We’ve always believed that good food brings people together, and we’re looking forward to meeting new people and sharing our passion for Southern cuisine with them.”

In addition to their new location in Mount Pleasant, the Henrys are also expanding their small Pawleys Island business, Get Carried Away Southern Market, hoping to establish a future franchise. Their dedication to their community and their love for the ocean has been the driving forces behind their success.

For more information about Get Carried Away Southern Market and their new location in Mount Pleasant, visit their website at www.getcarriedawaypi.com.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Nine Central Michigan football players participated in a series of workouts and tests in front of 29 National Football League scouts at CMU's annual NFL Pro Day Wednesday at CMU's Indoor Athletic Complex.

Chippewas players taking part in the workout included wide receiver , wide receiver , defensive lineman , defensive back , offensive lineman , running back , offensive lineman , defensive lineman , and tight end . In addition, defensive back Devonni Reed, who played four years for CMU from 2017-21 and played his final year of eligibility at South Carolina, came back to join his former CMU teammates in the workout.

Organized by NFL personnel and CMU Director of Strength and Conditioning , the event began with weight room testing including a flex test, vertical jump, and bench press. Testing was followed by an open field session which included the broad jump, 40-yard dash, pro shuttle and L Drill. Players then went through position-specific drills and exercises.

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Dixon, Nichols, and Wilson all are coming off injuries that hampered them during the 2022 season and it was an opportunity for Chippewas fans to see those players at 100 percent.

The national FBS leader in rushing in 2021, Nichols went through NFL Pro Day after battling through various injuries during the 2022 season.

"I'm excited to show the scouts what I can do, what I've been working on, and what I've been doing since I was a little kid," Nichols said. "I had my own personal success, but I couldn't have achieved what I did without my teammates. Central Michigan is a great place, a great team. I've learned so much from the great coaches and teammates I've played with. I just finished my education. It was a great place for me. The last four years here has been wonderful."

Wilson is another player who was injured late in the 2022 season and missed the last three games. Before the injury, he ranked No. 2 among national tight ends in receptions and receiving yards.

"I feel great," said Wilson. "It's been a long process coming off the injury. It was frustrating to get hurt. Today, I was out there running routes, I felt normal, I had a couple of slipups, but I feel good right now."

"I'm grateful to be surrounded by so many great people," Wilson said. "I've just been soaking up all the knowledge that I can, keeping my head down and working, and having the right mentality. If you have the right people around you, surrounded by great coaches and great people around here, great role models and great leaders on the team, you can do anything you put your mind to."

For Incoom, it was his third and final opportunity in front of NFL scouts as he played in the Reese's Senior Bowl and competed at the NFL Combine earlier this month.

"Those were both positive learning experiences," Incoom said. "I was blessed enough to have an invite to both situations and I feel like I made the best out of both of those experiences."

"To hear my name called in the NFL Draft would be a dream come true. I just need an opportunity to get in and show them what is all about and show them what kind of player Central Michigan produces."

Dixon missed the majority of the 2022 season with an injury. He was back to 100 percent on Wednesday.

"Coming off the injury with only two months of work, I put up great numbers today," Dixon said. "This is a blessing and a great opportunity to be here and compete in front of NFL scouts. I'm a hard worker and you're going to get an ambitious person."

Central Michigan's four-year starting center Kimbrough has worked hard for the last couple of months.

"I put a lot of work in for this one day," Kimbrough said. "I'm happy to be able to see my teammates and my coaches and put my best foot forward in front of the scouts. It was a great opportunity and a great experience. Every game here at Central Michigan was a blessing, I'm thankful and I wouldn't take anything back."

The 2023 NFL Draft is slated for April 27-29 in Kansas City, Mo.

Central Michigan opens spring practice for its 2023 football season on Sunday, March 19. The Chippewas will practice 15 times and hold several scrimmages between Sunday, March 19 and Friday, April 14. More information on spring ball will be announced later this week.

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An office and warehouse development encompassing nearly 500,000 square feet of new construction is in the works for northern Mount Pleasant.

Charlotte-based developer Cameron Property Co., an affiliate of Madison Capital Group, wants to build three buildings on about 60 acres northwest of the Faison Road and Park Avenue Boulevard intersection, according to plans presented to state environmental regulators.

The proposed structures, in the master-planned Carolina Park development, will serve as flexible space with offices in the front and storage or showrooms in the rear, according to Lance Ravenscraft with Madison Capital Group.

“Technically, everything is good to go,” he said. “It’s a great piece of real estate. The focus is on closing the land (purchase) right now.”

Plans show the largest building will be 187,100 square feet. A second structure will be 181,790 square feet while a third would be 113,400 square feet. More than 400 parking spaces also are planned with the project.

Site plans call for the structures to be up to 42 feet high, but Ravenscraft said the clearance will probably be about 10 feet less than that, with a height similar to the nearby Costco Wholesale store.

He foresees the business park as having tenants that need office and storage space such as biomedical companies or those that make items such as home building products.

“I can’t see it being a distribution site,” he said. “They all want to go up Interstate 26.”

Ravenscraft also pointed to tight credit markets and high construction costs as affecting the timing of future site development.

“I don’t foresee construction starting anytime soon,” he said.

Carolina Park spokesman Brian Keels confirmed the proposed development and said the land use has long been a part of the community’s master plan.

“That area has already been zoned for light industrial,” Keels said. “There just hasn’t been that much demand for things in the trade area in Carolina Park.”

The 1,700-acre Carolina Park development is mostly a residential neighborhood that also includes a hospital, other health care services, schools, fire station, library, churches, senior care facilities, apartments and commercial enterprises.

The wooded, undeveloped tract being eyed for flex development is owned by Chris Marino of Lerato LLC of Mount Pleasant. Marino did not respond for comment on the proposed project.

The land has not changed hands, Ravenscraft said.

The property sits between Charleston Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy and Gerber Collision & Glass on Faison Road. A storage facility is planned just north of the Gerber site.

The property also abuts the southern portion of Mount Pleasant Regional Airport’s clear zone.

Elliott Summey, CEO of the Charleston County Aviation Authority, which owns the East Cooper airfield, said he doesn’t think the proposed development will interfere with aircraft operations since it’s not directly in line with the runway.

He also noted the residential development that has sprung up closer to the airfield in recent years as posing more of a threat to aircraft operations.

Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie was not familiar with the proposed business park and said the town is not involved in the project because it is part of the Carolina Park planned development agreement that has been in place for several years.

“If it fits the master plan and they don’t need any major changes, it just goes in,” the mayor said. “I just hope it’s not a storage facility.”

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - The Patriots Point Development Authority Board and Bennett Hospitality hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday to mark the start of a five-phase, 15-year development project.

The Patriots Annex project is a $300 million development that will include three hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shops, three office buildings, parks and an amphitheater. Developers estimate initial construction and submitting of remaining plans will start in fall 2023.

The project was approved five years ago by state supervisors. After the initial approval, Michael Bennett of Bennett Hospitality and his team began planning the development.

“I’m born and raised in Charleston and when Patriots Point presented the opportunity for me to help develop this property, just as a personal Charlestonian, I was very, very excited to think I could do something that was beautiful, and also help Patriots Point,” Bennett said. “It was a very natural fit for me.”

The largest hotel, the Grand Patriot, will sit towards the back of the property at 250 rooms. The other two hotels will have 100 to 150 rooms.

Gov. Henry McMaster was also at the groundbreaking alongside other state and Lowcountry government officials.

“This project is going to be wonderful [at] the Patriots Point Naval and US Maritime Museum,” McMaster said. “We’re going up. Tourism is a $24 billion business in South Carolina. So that is why we’re thriving. And I promise you, we’re going to keep on thriving.”

Bennett and McMaster said the development will establish hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue. By using the land near the USS Yorktown, the money will help maintain the ships and aircraft located on Patriots Point.

“It is going to be a huge economic impact for not only Mount Pleasant, but for the entire Lowcountry in the state of South Carolina,” Bennett said. “There will be hundreds and hundreds of jobs that will afford local people to be able to work here and as well as welcomed visitors to come here.”

The first step in construction is to move the visitor parking lot due to much of the proposed development being built on that land. A new parking lot will be moved to accommodate visitors and tourists.

The project will take about 15 years with five phases to complete.

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