News Release

Hilton Head Island, in Collaboration with Beaufort County, Acquires 26 acres of Historic Property

Purchase Funded Through the Beaufort County Green Space Sales Tax Program

October 18, 2024

Through the Beaufort County Green Space Sales Tax Program, and with support and collaboration from Beaufort County, the Town of Hilton Head Island has purchased 26 acres of land on the Island’s north end for $11.745 million. Town and County leaders finalized the property acquisition on October 3, 2024.

"This is a significant achievement for our community and region. By purchasing this property, we can safeguard it from the pressures of development and ensure it is conserved for future generations," said Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry. "This effort reflects yet another successful collaboration between the Town of Hilton Head Island and Beaufort County in working together to achieve county-wide important goals."

The land, which is part of the Mitchelville settlement, represents a major step towards preserving a significant portion of this historic neighborhood and preventing future growth. The acquisition was made possible through funds provided from the Green Space Sales Tax Program, which voters approved in November 2022, and the Town’s Real Estate Transfer Fee that is used to acquire land.

Mitchelville holds profound historical importance as America’s first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people. At its peak, Mitchelville was home to 1,500 to 3,000 residents, embodying the promise of freedom and opportunity for African Americans of diverse origins. Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park continues to preserve and honor the customs and cultures that flourished in this community.

This purchase aligns with the core mission of the Green Space Sales Tax Program, which aims to preserve open spaces, protect critical natural resources, and provide land for recreational use. The program, the first one in the state, is designed to acquire development rights and fee simple interest in lands threatened by development that could have negative impacts on land use patterns, traffic, public safety, stormwater runoff, water quality, or other conservation objectives.  The program was made possible through state legislation authored by S.C. Senator Tom Davis, who represents portions of Beaufort County and Hilton Head Island. "I wrote the Greenspace Act in 2022 with purchases like this in mind. This acquisition, financed in part by taxes paid by tourists, protects as open space in perpetuity a 26-acre tract straddling Mitchelville Road and overlooking the Port Royal Sound - a tremendous win for the people of Hilton Head Island," Davis said.

Additionally, the acquisition aligns with the Town’s Strategic Action Plan’s goals to protect and preserve the Island’s natural environment and manage future growth. The Town was awarded the contract to purchase the property on July 18. Adjacent to other Town-owned properties like Barker Field, Fish Haul Beach Park, and Mitchelville Freedom Park, the tract stretches from Fish Haul Road to the beach area along Port Royal Sound.

Beaufort County Council Chairman Joseph Passiment emphasized the significance of the property’s amenities and its value to the community.

"Beaufort County is proud to partner with the Town of Hilton Head on purchasing the Mitchelville property through the Beaufort County Green Space Program. The Mitchelville property boasts vital maritime forests, waterfront acreage, archeological importance, and great cultural significance. By protecting this parcel from development, we preserve and inspire our story for the future. Beaufort County Council is grateful that voters approved the Green Space Referendum in 2022, and we look forward to seeing more quality applications work through the program’s process to conserve scenic, natural, recreational, and rural space," Passiment said.

Mike McShane, Chairman of the Green Space Committee, added that the conservation of the Mitchelville property continues to establish a legacy of conservation within the state of South Carolina.

"We must continue to advocate for policies and programs that support conservation and natural habitats while protecting vital cultural and archeological resources. I am thrilled that the Mitchelville tract will be counted among the Beaufort County Green Space Program’s successes, and the committee looks forward to receiving more quality applications to continue our mission of preserving the Lowcountry’s great open spaces," he said.

For more information on all Town property purchases, please visit the Town-Owned Property Dashboard. Also, sign up to receive the Town of Hilton Head Island's e-notifications for updates on property acquisitions, and follow us on Facebook and YouTube to keep up with the Town's latest news.