From The Blog

KICA to Reinvest in Amenities, Infrastructure and Water Management

This fall and winter, KICA’s in-house senior civil engineer Ryan Ellmers, our General Maintenance team, and contractor partners will be hard at work maintaining and improving our island’s infrastructure and amenity assets.

Infrastructure Maintenance

Road Paving

Kiawah’s roads, most of which are owned and maintained by KICA, are evaluated every several years by an outside engineering firm. Any road rated below the engineering standard of “good” is scheduled for repaving. This fall, 15 neighborhood roads in the eastern half of the island have been scheduled for repaving. This $2 million project started Sept. 16 and will continue through the end of October. Learn more and see the list of roads. Additional roads not meeting the island standard are being included in the 2025 budget for board approval in November.

Bank Stabilization at Inlet Cove

Kiawah’s largest drainage basin on the east end of the island filters water in and out of 29 ponds through an Inlet Cove outfall at the Kiawah River. Protecting the integrity of the inlet and the property bordering the inlet has been a priority. Since 2018, KICA has been implementing a natural solution to erosion control called Envirolok. This product reinforces the bank and is a sustainable solution, increasing water quality and creating natural habitat with the growth of natural grasses over the Envirolok bags. KICA was the first entity in South Carolina to adopt Envirolok, and it’s now become the protocol for bank stabilization across the Lowcountry.

In October, phase 3 will be re-stabilized and re-anchored in October by KICA’s contractor. With the updated designs for phase 3, KICA is including phase 4 of the Envirolok project in the 2025 budget for board approval in November. In addition to stabilizing the bank, KICA monitors how it changes over time with annual topographic surveys and aerial photography.

Bulkhead Replacement

A wooden bulkhead located on the Inlet Cove channel, adjacent to Beachwalker Road, will be replaced in November.

Drainage

Flood Management Project 6

In 2020, six drainage infrastructure improvements were strategically chosen to reduce flooding on Kiawah’s main thoroughfares. Five of the six projects are complete, and the sixth is in progress. “Project 6” involves a host of modifications and improvements to drainage to reduce a consistent flooding issue on Governors Drive, near the first intersections of Flyway Drive and Trumpet Creeper Lane. Several years ago, a portion of this project was initiated, including dredging the nearby Trumpet Creeper Inlet and clearing sediment from the mouth of the outfall pipes so that water could effectively enter the inlet and filter into the Kiawah River.

In the next phase of this project, 3 projects will be undertaken this fall:

• The outfall structure at Trumpet Creeper Inlet (pond 56) will be reconstructed in order to better control water in the two ponds of this system. This project is underway and will be completed in October.
• A drainage connection under Governors Drive, connecting to pond 61, will be replaced. This will permit water to drain more effectively from the adjacent roadway. There will be traffic delays on Governors Drive associated with this work, which is scheduled to be completed in November and December.
• Drainage from the intersection of Governors Drive and Trumpet Creeper will be redirected from the small Trumpet Creeper drainage basin to the larger Pintail drainage basin, which has greater stormwater capacity to handle runoff from this road intersection. A new drainage line will be installed down Yellowthroat Lane to the golf course. This work is scheduled to be completed in October and November.

The last portion of this project will be a new drainage line installed along Osprey Point Golf Course hole 13.  The timeline for this last project is currently being worked out with KICA, our contractor and the resort.

Spot Dredging

Planning is underway now for some limited spot dredging of two ponds – ponds 54 (Pleasant Valley) and 72 (Snowy Egret), in order to improve drainage flow in these drainage basins.

Amenity Projects

Sandcastle: Replacement of Veranda Doors and Windows

Starting at the end of the year, the Sandcastle will begin a multi-month project to replace all windows and doors along the second floor veranda, on the beach side of the building. Most of the Sandcastle’s windows and doors are 28 years old and showing signs of their age. Recent leaks have caused interior damage. This project will be done in the off-season for the facility, in order to minimize amenity closures, starting in mid-December, with substantial completion by the end of January 2025. The event rooms will be closed mid-December through the end of January.  The gym and fitness room will remain open. As this project gets underway, more specific dates with amenity closures will be communicated to the membership.

Rhett’s Bluff Boat Launch: Concrete Paving Extension

Earlier this year, KICA’s contractor paved a portion of the gravel drive at the Rhetts Bluff Boat Launch with oyster shell concrete. The area in front of the ramp is complete, but in November, the paving will extend to create a loop through the parking lot. The boat launch will remain open and parking will be available through the project.

Additionally, an area located near the boat wash will be regraded in order to redirect drainage.

Eagle Point Boat Launch: Beautification and Kayak Storage

Although this project will not be activated this fall or winter, a kayak and paddlesports storage structure and landscape beautification at the Eagle Point Boat Landing has been in discussion for two years. Initial plans are currently headed to the ARB to ensure the concept aligns with Kiawah standards. The next step will be evaluating cost feasibility. Finally, more refined plans, the potential cost and a funding plan will be shared with the community and the board will vote on its approval. A timeline has not been determined for these next steps.

General Maintenance

KICA’s infrastructure, including roads, trails, boardwalks, bridges and drainage systems are maintained on an ongoing basis by the association. Miscellaneous repairs are made on a daily basis.

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These projects are managed by KICA’s in-house engineer and executed with the help of various contractor partners. They are anticipated with the help of an annual Reserve Study, which determines the useful life of KICA assets and provides planning and budgeting guidance. The Security and Enforcement Committee consults on projects that impact safety. The Amenities Experience Committee consults on projects that impact amenities. The Finance Committee consults on the Reserve Study and the annual budget. The KICA Board of Directors reviews all major association projects and provides input on prioritization.