Volume 1 Number 5 | pdb2b.com
Workers have erected a fence around the construction site of the new veterans park off the southeastern corner of the Chesterfield County judicial center. (PDB2B photo by Greer Fujiwara)
Construction on a new veterans park at the Chesterfield County judicial center began on March 9 and is expected to wind up in two to four weeks, according to the project’s de facto organizer.
At its meeting last month, Chesterfield County Council approved a construction bid awarding $64,623 to DAP Contracting of Monroe, NC. County Administrator Michelle Stanley had presented the bid during the staff submission segment of the meeting.
Funding for the project comes from a $50,000 grant from the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and a $10,000 grant from Duke Energy Foundation, while the county’s state accommodation tax money will cover the remainder, some $10,000-$12,000, according to Stanley. Part of SC Code of Laws Title 12, the state applies a 2% charge on accommodations statewide, and the money goes back to municipalities, which can then use the funds toward local tourism.
The veterans park will be located off the southeastern corner of the courthouse, 200 W. Main St., Chesterfield. Stanley said in an interview that flagpoles currently flying flags of the armed services would be relocated from across Main Street to the new park. The project also involves moving the existing veterans monument, and installing flagpole lighting, new sidewalks, shrubbery and some benches, as well as laying sod. “We might get more benches if there is money left over,” she said.
The wall
Stanley said, “Local veterans groups had asked if they could put a veterans park in our courtyard. They already have a Veterans Day ceremony out there every year, so they just want to make it look more presentable.”
She said those groups had been working on the project with her predecessor Timothy Eubanks, who had retired in July. “I’ve been helping them ever since,” Stanley said.
We’re just a bunch of old combat veterans who don’t give up easy.
“Nathan Gardner designed the whole project ... [he] is what I’d call the project manager,” she said.
Gardner is vice commander of American Legion Post 74, Chesterfield. He had served active duty in the US Army for 13 years and is currently in the Army Reserve. He said in a phone interview that members from local veterans groups — including his own post, the county chapter of Disabled American Veterans, and local Veterans Services Organization — “serve on a veterans advisory council for the county. I think that’s where the idea of the project came about ... I just happened to have a background for construction and engineering. When we were brainstorming about what we were trying to do, I volunteered to sketch it up and get on paper something that could be bid out.”
The project has been in the works for about three years, having taken on different shapes, according to Gardner, who added, “At one time, there would have been a continuous wall about 300 feet long.”
Then, late last year, the project hit a different kind of wall. According to Stanley, “We bid it out last October or so. The bids had come in, and they were so high ... We had six bidders that first time.”
The lowest bid had come in at more than $170,000, the sticking point being the memorial wall. “We just didn’t have that much funding, so the veterans had to back up and punt again and shrink it down,” Stanley said. “It’s still basically the same as it was before. We just had to take out the wall, because it was going to cost so much.”
B2B bulletin
Governor’s School AI programs powered by $550K Google grant
GSSM President Danny Dorsel, on left, unveils the Google placard, which Outreach Director of Educator Development Programs Jackie Weber, right foreground, said will be fixed above the corridor leading to faculty offices. (PDB2B photo by Greer Fujiwara)
The SC Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics has unveiled two artificial intelligence initiatives supported by a grant from Google LLC: The school’s AI faculty fellows program and AI educator summer institute. The school held its big reveal on March 7, during Inside GSSM, an event where the public can explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on activities.
Cheney Brothers’ $42.5M Florence expansion to add 85 jobs
Food distribution company Cheney Brothers will implement a $42.5 million expansion to its Florence facility that will add 85 jobs, according to a statement issued by the SC Commerce Department.
House of Hope, Florence 1 Schools team up for tiny-home community
House of Hope of the Pee Dee is partnering with Florence 1 Schools to develop a tiny-home community that will support families in the school district facing homelessness.
Governor’s School race raises $3.6K for special needs prom event
This photo provided by Simply Timing LLC shows some of the 150 runners competing in the Governor's School 5K for Mental Health Awareness race Feb. 28. (PDB2B photo by Simply Timing LLC)
The SC Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics has raised $3,615 with its 5K for Mental Health Awareness race, the school said in a March 2 statement. Some 150 racers turned out for the race held Feb. 28. Proceeds will go toward Hartsville’s Night to Shine, a prom experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older.
Commerce calendar
March 18, noon-1
Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Dr.
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is hosting this annual luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Mark Keel, chief of SC Law Enforcement Division.
March 19, 6 p.m.
Hartsville High School
110 School Dr.
Darlington County School District is holding a series of meetings in March to discuss facility options and allow public input on its next steps in the near term.
March 21, 4 p.m.-7
Kalmia Gardens
1624 W. Carolina Ave.
Hartsville
This event includes steamed oysters, beer and wine, and live music. Tickets are $75. Proceeds support Kalmia Gardens of Coker University.
Reader poll
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