September 2019 Council Highlights

  • Council held three public hearings this month, to receive public comments on the following: 
    • Rezoning a 3.27-acre parcel, located at 410 South Main Street from light industrial-warehouse to heavy industrial.
    • To allow garment alteration and repair shops/tailor shops to locate within a professional office zoning district.¬ Council authorized a contract to Hawkins & Kolb Construction, of Sumter, for phase one of the new Palmetto Tennis Center Pro Shop and area site improvements. This new project will allow teams better access to private areas by creating a separate Pro Shop from player areas, include a new backboard for single individual play, add youth courts and realign Theatre Drive and entrance to the PTC.
  • Council approved a resolution authorizing a contract for Sanitary Sewer Right-of-Way Clearing Project that includes right-of-way areas on Old Manning Road, Mason Road, Oakland Avenue, Green Swamp, Liberty Street, Loring Mill, Pocotaligo, Wise Drive and Wesmark Blvd. Work on these projects will take place Fall 2019.
  • Wayfinding signage program continues with the next phase called Trailblazer signs, which are directional signs highlighting significant facilities and attraction in Sumter. Along with this program, the City continues to apply for grant funds to cover the costs of these. Most recently, the City is applying for a grant through the Municipal Association of South Carolina through an economic development fund. Installation of these assets is an important key to the increased number of first-time visitors to the Sumter community. For visitors to have a great experience in an unfamiliar place, they need to be able to navigate their visit easily, without much frustration. When visitors enjoy the experience, not only do they find themselves wanting to frequent Sumter more often, but they are more willing to stay longer and venture out into new places in our community. Overall the project will improve efficiency, accessibility and safety for all.

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

    • SCDOT has notified the City that they are continuing with plans to replace the US 378/76 bridge over US 15 and the US 76 bridge over US 378/76, located in the City of Sumter. Neither project is expected to begin until winter 2022.
    • Art in the Park is this Saturday, September 21 at Memorial Park. This is the 13th annual event includes music, food beverages and free children’s art and craft activities. Enjoy shopping at some very unique vendors as well. Dr. Sammy Way will also be hosting tours of the historic Meeting House, which is tied to the General Thomas Sumter family, located adjacent to the park.
    • Oktoberfest is this Saturday, September 21 in Downtown Sumter. Sumter largest street party and celebration is a perfect time to don your favorite lederhosen and dirndl. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the gate, with all proceeds going to Sumter United Ministries.
    • Downtown Fourth Fridays seasonal concerts come to a close this month, ending with the band Second Nature on Friday, September 27 at 6:30. Held every fourth Friday, through September, these live concerts are held on Main Street in Downtown Sumter and admission is free. Bring your lawn chairs, but no coolers allowed. Food and beverages available for purchase. For more information, visit www.DigItDowntown.com. 
    • Sumter Opera House continues their Main Stage Series on September 28 with Country Cool Comedy, followed with Tiffany on October 10 and Warehouse Theatre on October 25. All events are ticketed and prices vary. Purchase tickets online at www.sumteroperahouse.com or visit their box office at 21 N. Main Street.
    • The Sumter Opera House presents their new performance series “Stage Door”. These smaller, more intimate and interactive shows will feature great talent, one-on-one conversations with the artists and food with your ticket. The inaugural show is October 18 and seating is extremely limited. For more info, call the Opera House at 803-436-2616 or visit www.sumteroperahouse.com. 
    • As always the City partners with the Sumter Chamber of Commerce for the annual Military Appreciation Picnic. This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, September 27 inside hangar 1200 on Shaw AFB. The event is open to all active duty military personnel and DOD civilian employees and is just another way that we show our uncommon patriotism and appreciation to our airmen and soldiers.
    • eSTEAM Sumter Festival is Saturday, October 5th from 10 am – 2 pm in Downtown Sumter. Celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math with us. This event is free, interactive and family friendly.
    • Help decorate one of the pianos for the Take pArt Piano public art installation project! Join us at the eSTEAM festival to help decorate our first piano, or apply to paint one all on your own. Call 803-436-2616 for more info. Designs must be submitted and approved. If approved all supplies will be funded by the SOH and the Sumter County Cultural Commission. 
    • Porches of Sumter is scheduled for October 3 from 6-9 PM. Advance tickets are $30 or $40 at the door. Ticket covers, food and entertainment. Buy tickets at www.sumterchamber.com. 
    • Fall for the Arts, starts Tuesday, October 8 with an art exhibit and jazz ensemble at Patriot Hall. The event continues all week with open mic nights, salsa night, poetry contest, an art crawl and more through Saturday, September 12. Most events are free to the public, with Saturday night’s orchestra performance $10 advance ticket and $15 at the door. All proceeds support the arts in Sumter. For more info contact Patriot Hall at www.patriothallsc.org or call 803-436-2260.
    • The Sumter County Museum will be hosting its annual Backcountry Harvest Day on Saturday, October 12 from 10 am – 4 pm. Join us as we travel back in time to the year 1800. See blacksmithing, cooking over an open fire, spinning and weaving, play early 19th century games and try food samples. The event is free and family friendly.
    • Set a spell, The Woven Seat presented by the Sumter County Museum on display at McKenzie Hall Opening Reception will be Tuesday, October 15 at 6 pm. This display will feature the history of the woven furniture an art practiced for centuries and dates back to ancient Egypt.
    • Save the Date:
      • Sumter Sip & Scream, Friday, November 1, in Downtown Sumter
      • Capt. Tom Garrity Firefighters BBQ Challenge, November 23, USC Sumter Nettles Bldg
      • Santa’s Village, December 6 & 7 and 13 & 14 from 6-8 PM at the Heath Pavilion.
      • Untapped Food Truck & Craft Beer, March 7, Fairgrounds
      • Boys Scouts Annual BBQ, March 27 & 28, Fairgrounds
      • St. Anne and St. Jude Annual Gala, May 1.
    • Regular City Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers on the 4th floor of the Opera House. City residents are encouraged to attend. Next month our meetings will be on October 1 at 1 PM and October 15 at 5:30 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MEETINGS, EVENTS AND MORE, VISIT WWW.SUMTERSC.GOV.