NEW ON WJCL -- A FIGHT TO KEEP DEVELOPMENT ... FROM MOVING ONTO GULLAH - GEECHEE LAND ... ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND ... WJCL 22 NEWS' AJ - SISSON ... ATTENDED A CITY COUNCIL MEETING ... WHERE BOARD MEMBERS ... VOUCHED FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.// AJ LIVE GOOD EVENING ... IT'S A PROJECT THAT'S BEEN IN TALKS ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS ... TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND ROUTE 278 GOING ONTO THE ISLAND ... HOWEVER THE STONEY COMMUNITY FEELS ... THEY ARE AT RISK OF BEING DISPLACED. FSG MAP (SAME AS ONE FROM 5) THE US-278 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ... AIMS TO IMPROVE THE FINAL SEGMENT BETWEEN I-95 AND THE CROSS ISLAND PARKWAY ... BY REPLACING THE MACKAY CREEK BRIDGE ... AND REDUCING TRAFFIC BETWEEN MOSS CREEK DRIVE TO SPANISH WELLS ROAD VO LOUISE COHEN ... FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE GULLAH MUSEUM ... SAYS THE CONCERNS OF THE RESIDENTS FROM THE STONEY COMMUNITY ... CONSIDERED TO BE THE GATEWAY TO THE ISLAND ... ARE NOT BEING HEARD ... AND THOSE CONDUCTING THE STUDIES ARE IGNORING THEM... HOWEVER ... AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING THIS AFTERNOON ... MEMBERS OF THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND COUNCIL RECOGNIZED THEIR CONCERNS ... AND EVEN TOLD A PROJECT COMMITTEE MEMBER ... THEY WILL NOT APPROVE UNTIL THEY FEEL THE COMMUNITY IS HEARD ... REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GULLAH COMMUNITY SAY ... THIS LAND IS RIGHTFULLY THEIRS ... AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM. SOTVO <> "THE LAND WAS SUPPOSED TO ALWAYS BE HERE FOR THE UNBORN GENERATION. OKAY? AND NOW THEY'RE PLAYING DOWN EVERYTHING. THEY'RE TALKING AND EVERYTHING, AND THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO TAKE THE LAND AWAY FROM US. AND THEY BRING EVERYBODY TO COME TO HILTON HEAD BECAUSE THIS IS PARADE. BUT, WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE HERE?" VO CONT RIGHT NOW ... THE PROJECT IS "REFINING ALTERNATIVES" ... WHICH ADDRESSES PUBLIC CONCERNS ... AND WORKS TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT TO THE
Hilton Head's Gullah residents reject U.S. 278 plans: 'They're trying to take the land away from us'
The U.S. 278 Corridor Improvement project that would improve access to Hilton Head is getting pushback from some of the island's native residents.
Updated: 7:30 PM EDT Jul 3, 2024
The US 278 Corridor Improvement project that would improve access to Hilton Head Island is causing concerns with directly impacted communities, who feel their voices are not being heard. "Our people are being affected, not being so much affected, but being destroyed," said Louise Cohen, founder and director of the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island. The 80-year-old Gullah Geechee community member has raised concerns about the project that she claims would displace residents within the Stoney Community, one of the historical Gullah neighborhoods left after the Civil War."The land was supposed to always be here for the unborn generation," said Cohen. "Now, they're downplaying everything, they're talking down everything. Now, they're trying to take the land away from us."Ward 4 City Council member Tamara Becker said she would not allow the project to move forward as she feels the Gullah community's concerns are not being reflected in the study."I stand very strong that I think we will come to a conclusion that will have a better alternative settlement provided," said Becker. "We take our time, and pay attention, and make sure that we're looking out for our residents first and foremost."TRENDING STORIESList: 11 Savannah businesses cited for selling alcohol to minors during St. Patrick's Day weekendPolice in Savannah investigating after child found shotMissing in South Carolina: Teenage girl last seen leaving home with rolling suitcase
The US 278 Corridor Improvement project that would improve access to Hilton Head Island is causing concerns with directly impacted communities, who feel their voices are not being heard.
"Our people are being affected, not being so much affected, but being destroyed," said Louise Cohen, founder and director of the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island.
The 80-year-old Gullah Geechee community member has raised concerns about the project that she claims would displace residents within the Stoney Community, one of the historical Gullah neighborhoods left after the Civil War.
"The land was supposed to always be here for the unborn generation," said Cohen. "Now, they're downplaying everything, they're talking down everything. Now, they're trying to take the land away from us."
Hearst Owned
Courtesy: South Carolina Department of TransportationUS 278 Study Area: The shaded area impacts from Moss Creek Drive to Wild Horse Road. The project aims to improve traffic congestion by replacing traffic signals along the route, and to address key infrastructure questions on the Mackay Creek Bridge.
Ward 4 City Council member Tamara Becker said she would not allow the project to move forward as she feels the Gullah community's concerns are not being reflected in the study.
"I stand very strong that I think we will come to a conclusion that will have a better alternative settlement provided," said Becker. "We take our time, and pay attention, and make sure that we're looking out for our residents first and foremost."
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