In response to one of the principal recommendations of the city’s Blue Ribbon Parking Task Force, the Beaufort City Council on Dec. 15 will consider giving the city manager authority to negotiate the purchase of 1.14 acres at 500 Carteret Street to provide over 75 additional parking spaces in the downtown area.

An 18,000-square foot office building comes with the package and, should the purchase go through, the Beaufort Redevelopment Commission would develop a plan to use the building as it exists, lease it to non-profit organizations or partner with developers.