August 2023 Council Highlights

  • Construction on the model P-51 plane in Veterans Park began on July 26. This is the next phase of the Tuskegee Monument being installed at Veterans Park, located adjacent to Highway 378 and Shaw Air Force Base. We look forward to sharing more information about this project in the coming weeks. Look for a Dedication Ceremony to take place this Fall.
  • The City of Sumter will host a swearing-in ceremony and reception on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. The following city elected officials will be sworn into office; The Honorable Anthony Gibson of Ward 1; The Honorable Calvin K. Hastie, Sr., of Ward 3; and the Honorable Colin C. Davis of Ward 5. The ceremony will begin at 6 PM and take place at the City Centre, located at 25 North Main Street in Sumter.
  • State of the Economy will take place at Alice Drive Baptist Church on Wednesday, August 30th from 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM. This event is presented by the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce and Duke Energy. This is a public, ticketed event and tickets must be purchased in advance on the Sumter Chamber’s website.
  • Support a healthy community in the following ways:
    • The City of Sumter has partnered with Tandem Health to promote the “Walk with a Doc” program. It is held every first Saturday of the month at Swan Lake’s Heath Pavilion. The next walk will be held on September 2nd at 9AM, and this event is open and free to the public.
    • There will be a ribbon cutting for the new Sumter Planet Fitness at the Sumter Mall on Thursday, August 17th at 5:00 pm with Business after hours to follow at 5:30.
    • Shot Pouch Greenway is getting some upgrades in areas where the trail has existed for years. Specifically, the boardwalk along the Shot Pouch Creek, between Broad Street and Miller Road is getting replaced with materials that are more wetlands friendly. In addition, you will start to see some extensions to the trail in areas that will connect to area neighborhoods. For more info on the Shot Pouch Greenway, please visit shotpouchgreenway.com.
  • The redesign and repaving of the city parking lot at Hampton and Harvin Streets is complete. The redesign was necessary to improve drainage and layout and increase the number of spaces. Utilities were moved underground to assist with aesthetics as well as safety and security, especially during storms. This parking lot is a free public parking lot in Downtown Sumter.
  • The City, working with Duke Energy has installed two new EV Charging Station in the Sumter Opera House Parking lot. This location is a DC fast charger and is part of Duke Energy’s Park & Plug program that allows fast pull-up and charge stations for Electric Vehicles.
    • The Sumter Community has seven other charging stations through a Black River Cooperative program at these locations:
      • Candlewood Suites, 2541 Broad St
      • Chili's Grill & Bar, 2505 Broad St
      • Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 2490 Broad St
      • SpringHill Suites by Marriot, 2645 Broad St
      • TownePlace Suites by Marriott Sumter, 2515 Broad St
      • Tru by Hilton, 2607 Broad St
      • Willie Sue's Restaurant, 3355 Patriot Pkwy
  • Downtown Sumter Fourth Fridays Concerts are underway this year through September. Admission is Free. Concerts start at 6:30 PM and food and beverage will be available for purchase at local restaurants and some additional food trucks to help meet demand. There are children’s activities at each evening too. Bring your blankets and chairs, but no coolers, please.
    • The schedule for bands is:
      • August 25 - The Footnotes
      • September 22 - Terence Lonon and the Untouchables
    • For those that live on Shaw AFB, remember you have a free shuttle service available to you for the 4th Friday Concerts. The shuttle will pick up at Carolina Skies and the dorms at 6 PM and approximately 8:30 PM, and then drop off in Downtown Sumter. The shuttle will return to Shaw at 8 PM, 10:30 PM and again at 11 PM. This free shuttle is brought to you by the Santee-Wateree Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the Sumter Visitors Center. This shuttle is open to all active-duty military and families that live on Shaw AFB. All riders must have a current ID with base access.
  • Interested in picking up tennis or reintroducing yourself to the sport? Join us for our Adult Quick Start, a 6-week beginner course focusing on tactical skills and techniques. Get ready to serve, rally, and score! New sessions begin August 16 and there are two-time options to choose from 9 AM or 7 PM on Wednesdays. The cost is $96 and includes six (6) training sessions with a tennis professional and a new Wilson racquet. Contact the Palmetto Tennis Center at 400 Theatre Drive or call (803) 774-3969.

Our September regularly scheduled Council meetings will be on Tuesday, September 5th at 1 PM and Tuesday, September 19th at 5:30 PM. If you can’t make a meeting public comments may also be submitted online anytime through our website at www.sumtersc.gov/council/meetings, or city residents can contact the Mayor or their Council Representative any time prior to any meeting to discuss a concern or idea.