Charleston City leaders discuss King Street BID and approve rideshare pilot program
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – King Street was the topic of multiple discussions inside of Charleston City Hall on Tuesday.
“To so many people, the Historic District and the shopping street of King Street is Charleston to many people who visit here and so we have to make sure that they have a positive visitor experience when they’re here. And that means in a clean environment that feels safe and that they feel welcomed,” said Jane Jenkins who serves as the Interim Executive Director of the nonprofit, Charleston Downtown Alliance.
The organization manages the King Street Business Improvement District which was established a few years ago and allows property owners to pay an assessment for additional services on top of the baseline services provided by the city.
“That’s what happened on King Street. They want a little more clean services, a little more visitor hospitality than the city was able to provide with their baseline services,” Jenkins explained.
Charleston City Council listened as Jenkins presented the BID’s annual report on Tuesday during a council workshop. She went over the various contracts they have including their biggest one with Block by Block. The national company provides hospitality, cleaning and safety services through the use of ambassadors.
“They clean the big bellies, they take off stickers, they remove graffiti, they power wash the sidewalks, they sweep, they pick up litter, you know, general litter and such as that. They also provide assistance to visitors,” Jenkins told News 2.
Among other goals, Jenkins said they plan to develop a five-year strategic and implementation plan for the BID and launch a website.
Later in the evening, King Street came up again in a separate discussion when council passed the first reading of a pilot program which will establish five designated rideshare drop off and pick up zones near Upper King Street.
“It was approved for a May 1st start for six months. Five identified spots in the corridor. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. When you order up a rideshare, you can pick a location, you’ll get picked up there. And when you come to King Street you can get dropped off at any one of the five locations,” said Charleston City Councilman Mike Seekings.
The locations will be on John Street, Radcliffe Street, Morris Street, Woolfe Street, and a stretch of King between Cannon and Spring Streets.
