Enhancing the Historical District of Beaufort, South Carolina

Objective:

To gather actionable insights from Beaufort’s community members on improving the city's renowned historical district, ensuring it remains a thriving hub for both residents and visitors.

Methodology:

Our team designed an anonymous Typeform survey targeting diverse stakeholders, including local business owners, employees, residents, and city leaders. The survey link was promoted through targeted Meta ads, designed to reach a broad demographic across Beaufort and surrounding areas.

  • Survey Duration: 3 weeks

  • Total Responses: 1,200

  • Respondent Breakdown:

    • Residents: 45%

    • Local Business Owners: 30%

    • Employees: 15%

    • Other Stakeholders: 10%

Key Questions:

  1. How would you rate the accessibility of the historical district?

  2. What is the most significant challenge facing the district?

  3. What would you prioritize to improve the area? (e.g., parking, events, preservation)

  4. Do you feel the city adequately incorporates public feedback into its planning?

Findings:

  1. Accessibility Concerns:

    • 76% of respondents rated parking availability as "poor" or "very poor."

    • 68% mentioned inadequate signage for both locals and visitors, leading to navigation difficulties.

  2. Economic Opportunities:

    • Business owners expressed a need for greater foot traffic during off-peak seasons. 55% suggested seasonal events or festivals to attract more visitors.

    • 70% of employees cited a lack of affordable housing nearby as a major barrier to retaining local talent.

  3. Community Engagement:

    • 82% of respondents felt the city did not sufficiently involve the community in planning decisions.

    • Residents expressed a desire for quarterly town hall meetings to discuss development plans, with 64% strongly supporting more frequent public updates.

  4. Preservation vs. Modernization:

    • While 92% of respondents valued preserving the district's historical charm, 48% felt that modern infrastructure upgrades (e.g., better lighting and Wi-Fi) could complement preservation efforts without detracting from its character.

Actionable Recommendations:

  1. Improve Parking Solutions:

    • Introduce multi-level parking facilities at key entry points.

    • Implement digital parking systems with real-time availability updates.

  2. Enhance Community Events:

    • Develop an annual event series featuring history-themed festivals, food markets, and arts showcases to draw steady crowds year-round.

  3. Foster Affordable Housing:

    • Partner with developers to create housing solutions for district employees, ensuring the area remains accessible to its workforce.

  4. Increase Community Collaboration:

    • Launch a "Community Voices" initiative with quarterly surveys and town halls to gather ongoing feedback from residents and stakeholders.

  5. Upgrade Infrastructure Thoughtfully:

    • Modernize street lighting and signage with designs that blend seamlessly with the district’s historical aesthetic.

    • Introduce free public Wi-Fi to enhance visitor experiences while maintaining the charm of the area.

Impact:

The survey’s findings have already influenced planning discussions within Beaufort’s city council. Key stakeholders, including business associations and preservation groups, have used this data to prioritize initiatives for 2025. The results underscored the importance of balancing historical preservation with the evolving needs of a modern community.

Conclusion:

This project demonstrated the power of community-driven insights in shaping city planning. By leveraging digital tools and engaging diverse voices, Beaufort has taken a critical step toward sustaining its historical district as both a cultural treasure and a thriving economic center.