Update of sidewalk, lighting for Buck Island-Simmonsville

The Town of Bluffton will soon install the final phase of the Town’s sidewalk project for the Buck Island-Simmonsville (BIS) community. This phase will construct new drainage and 1,250 linear feet of sidewalks, five feet in width, from the existing pathway at Sugaree Drive north to Windy Lake Court.

This is the final phase of sidewalk construction for the BIS community. These sidewalks will connect to existing pathways on May River Road and Bluffton Parkway and is a critical section of sidewalk for children who may walk to Bluffton Middle School.

Streetlighting will be installed upon completion of sidewalk construction.

The Town has awarded the $354,397 sidewalk installation project to Ridgeland-based J.S. Construction, Inc. Construction is expected to be complet- ed by July, weather-depending.

“The goal of this multi-phase, multiyear infrastructure project is to connect neighbors, neighborhoods and businesses,” Town Manager Stephen Steese said. “Installing sidewalks and lighting in neighborhoods enhance safety for bicyclists, walkers and runners as well as increase the overall walkability of our town.”

During construction, there may be times which traffic is reduced to one lane on Simmonsville Road to allow for stormwater drainage installation and sidewalk construction within the right-of-way. The contractor will coordinate with the residents within the construction area to continuously ensure access to their homes. For more information about this project, contact project manager Mark Maxwell at mmaxwell@townofbluffton.com.

UPDATE from page 40A with their Plantation Park Bluffton location and their Shelter Cove home on the island. They will be joined by Birdie James, the authentic chic women’s clothier opened by Michelle Taylor. Michelle was an Old Town fave at her former Calhoun Street location, but distancing restriction during the pandemic forced Taylor to focus on a larger location also at Shelter Cove on Hilton Head. Now, she will return to Bluffton with a 2,300-square-foot storefront. No word on opening timelines for the stores.

• Coligny Plaza is getting a new eatery in a familiar location. BBQ chef Scott Forrest Bodkin is opening Forrest Fire Southern Smokin’ BBQ in FISH’s back room in early May. For more opening details, keep an eye on forrestfirehhi.com.

• Finally, as we prepped to hit “send” here, we got word of Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream coming to Belfair Towne Village. Chill-N is one of the first liquid nitrogen ice cream concepts in the U.S., first opened in Miami in 2012. The concept: Pick an ice cream base (milk, yogurt or alt-milk like coconut, almond or oat) and then a flavor. Add in premium toppings like candies, cookies and cereal, then your scoop is flash frozen in front of you using liquid nitrogen chilled to

-320 degrees Fahrenheit. Soon-to-retire Marine Derek Cohen will run the latest Chill-N location and looks to open later this year. For more information, visit chilln.com.

A pair of goodbyes

You might have read of the Bed, Bath and Beyond bankruptcy. All stores are beginning liquidation sales, including the Bluffton location at 1460 Fording Island Road. Corporate officials are still hoping for a buyer that will save store closures scheduled for June. Coupons will no longer be accepted, while gift cards can be used through May 8. And finally, Underground Burrito has closed on May River Road. Owner Jimmy Soules sent out word of the closure in late March. Good news for addicts of the delicious burritos: They are still being offered at Bar 19 at Island West (including the 24-hour burrito vending machine behind the Island West clubhouse).

Tim Wood is a veteran journalist based in Bluffton. timwood@blufftonsun.com.