SUMMERTON – Approximately 4,000 acres adjacent to Interstate 95 in Clarendon County, with more than 1.5 miles of frontage on Lake Marion, have been acquired by The Beach Co. of Charleston.

The company plans multi-use development of the property.

Several hundred interested people gathered at the Summerton Cultural Arts Center for a community workshop on Jan. 10, providing an opportunity for residents to meet the owners of the property and share ideas and concerns pertaining to its future development. The crowd consisted of realtors, public officials and residents who wanted to learn more about the project’s scope and potential.

Environmental, land use, cultural resources and aesthetic issues were addressed. The project is expected to be implemented over a 15- to 20-year period, and the developers say they are seeking to establish an open relationship with the community so that everyone’s needs are met.

The property represents one of the largest undeveloped lakefront parcels in the region.

The Beach Co., founded in 1945 with the development of the Isle of Palms, is owned by the Darby and Way families, with John C.L. Darby as president and CEO and Charles S. Way Jr. as chairman of its board of directors.

The company develops and owns assets throughout the Southeast and is known in South Carolina for developments such as Kiawah Island, Majestic Square, Charleston Regional Business Center and Seaside Farms.

Also working with the project is DesignWorks, also based in Charleston, which provides town planning, urban design and landscape architecture services and has had a long relationship with The Beach Co., undertaking many projects together over the last 12 years.

Company officials say the project’s master plan is intended to be finalized no later than December 2007, adding that another community meeting will be held for the review and comments of the public. The owners say they intend to begin initial development as soon as reasonably possible.

Various uses being considered for the property include single and multifamily residences, recreation (golf, marina, etc.), commercial (retail office and industrial), limited manufacturing and basic services such as medical, schools and post office facilities.

A permanent name for the project has not been chosen.

For more information, call 843-722-2615 or visit the company’s Web site at www.thebeachcompany.com.

n T&D Correspondent Shirley Upton can be reached by e-mail at writer@ntinet.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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