March 2024 Council Highlights

• Thanks to assistance from the Sumter Legislative Delegation and their unwavering support at the statehouse and the Sumter community, the City broke ground Friday on a much-anticipated project at South Sumter Park. This project includes an upgraded spray park, baseball field, basketball courts, and yes, even new pickleball courts are on their way! And that's not all - we're also adding a new walking trail, an upgraded inclusive playground, and amping up the aesthetics with brick and iron fencing, landscaping, and more. Plus, the parking lot is tripling in size! All of this is primarily funded through state grant programs and construction has begun.
• South Carolina Department of Transportation, at the request of the Historic area residents, is changing two stop lights along Calhoun Street to 4-way stops. The Neighborhood Association hopes this will aid in speeding issues they have experienced in the historic residential area.
• City Council approved the 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan for the federal funding program, titled Community Development Block Grant. The estimated value is $350,085. This is the funding passed down through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city intends to use these funds for the following:
  • Historic Preservation, by helping to eliminate blight in commercial areas,
  • Housing Repair, through our Community Development program as well as Sumter United Ministries,
  • Youth Services, by providing summer jobs to 40 students, sponsoring youth to attend activities at the YMCA and through the HYPE Program, and
  • Administration, to run the program.
  • The annual review process is open, so public comments are welcome. To find out more info on these programs or if you are interested in participating, please call our Community Development Office at 803-774-1649.
• The next Litter Community Clean-up date is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th. Groups may choose this day or any day of the month that suits their schedule to help keep our city beautiful. Sign up with our litter office and our staff will get you trash bags, gloves, safety vests, and pick-up sticks as needed. Call (803) 305-5266 or visit sumtersc.gov/litter. Check out our litter booth at the Boy Scouts annual competition BBQ this weekend at the Sumter Fair Grounds. The event is open to the public.
• Did you know that the City of Sumter sends out email and text updates? We send regular updates about city services directly to you – and it’s FREE to participate! Sign up today on our website at sumtersc.gov.
• Get your kids signed up for swimming lessons at the City's Aquatic Center now! Space is limited. Classes are offered on Monday and Wednesday mornings, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings. One (1) session is eight (8) lessons. It’s $35 for the entire session, $28 for the military and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Find out more at sumterswim.com or call 803-774-3998.
  • The Aquatic Center offers additional classes and activities, including a free Water Aerobics class. They also allow for party rentals. Did you know they have a lazy river now? Go check them out at sumterswim.com! The Aquatics Center will be open for the season on May 27th, of Memorial Day weekend.
• Working with state C-Funds, the city has two contracts out to help assist with paving city streets and state streets. The C-Fund Program is a long-established partnership between the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and the forty-six counties in the state. It funds improvements of state roads, county roads, city streets, and other local transportation projects. Funding for the C-funds is derived from the state’s gasoline user fee, commonly referred to as the “gas tax”.
  • "C" Funds come from 3.99 cents per gallon of the state gasoline tax distributed to each of the counties based on population, land area, and rural road mileage. Total for both contracts is approximately $1.8 million.

City Owned Streets Contract (will be completed before June 30, those with asterisk are already finished):

Beach Forest Drive

Blenhein Court*

Chesterfield Drive*

Heather Court*

McClure Drive

Glouchester & Shem Cove Intersection

Rolling Creek Subdivision (includes: Rolling Creek Drive, Stillwater Court, Sandy Run Drive, Riverside Drive)*

Tudor Place Subdivision (includes: Preot Street, Arnaud Street, Grimble Court)*

Deerfield Subdivision (includes: E. Glouchester Court, E. Glouchester Drive, Portsmouth Drive, Anson Court, Tradd Circle)

State Owned Streets Contract (all completed):

Dixie Drive*

Lawson Street*

Mathis Street*

Peach Street*

Rowland Avenue*

Sanders Drive*

Williams Street*

Webb Avenue*

Malibu Street*

Neal Street*

Upcoming Events:

• Festival On The Avenue kicks off Thursday, April 11 with Heritage Night at Mount Zion Enrichment Center, Friday, April 12 is the 11th annual Golf Tournament at Crystal Lakes, with A Taste of Soul that evening on Manning Avenue at the Farmer’s Market beside the South Side Resource Center. Saturday is the annual parade at 10 AM followed by a large street party all along Manning Avenue. This annual festival celebrates the South side of Sumter and brings lots of food, fun, and entertainment to the community. We welcome everyone to join us there!
• Join us for Art in the Park, celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 20th from 9 AM to 3 PM at Memorial Park, off Hampton Street in the Historic Hampton Park District. There will be art and craft vendors, live entertainment, food, beverages, and FREE children’s arts and crafts activities throughout the day. A full day of Family Fun and admission is FREE!

Lots of activities in Sumter, for more events, visit LoveSumter.com.

• We invite you to visit and attend a regular City Council meeting, our meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is Tuesday, April 2nd at 1 PM and Tuesday, April 16th at 5:30 PM. If you can’t make a meeting public comments may also be submitted online anytime through our website at sumtersc.gov/council/meetings or city residents can contact the Mayor or their Council representative any time before any meeting to discuss a concern or idea.