City of Charleston hosts community meeting amid Sumar Street development proposal
WEST ASHLEY, S.C. (WCBD)- The redevelopment of Sumar Street has been an ongoing discussion for years.
Charleston officials haven’t been able to get on the same page about the path forward.
After Monday night, officials may be one step closer to an answer, after Mayor Cogswell proposed an idea with redevelopment company, Eden’s.
“This is the gateway to West Ashley, the gateway to the birthplace of Charleston, the gateway to the birthplace of South Carolina,” former councilmember, Peter Shahid said.
For the past three years, the vacant lot on the corner of Sumar Street and Sam Rittenburg Boulevard has been sitting empty. It’s an eyesore in West Ashley, brimming with potential.
“The early development plan was a 20-pump gas station. It galvanized the community in opposition to that,” Shahid said.
Monday night, Mayor Cogswell presented a new idea for retail space, residential space and green space, and it’s backed by council members who represent West Ashley, like William Tinkler.
“This is the first time that we’ve had a comprehensive plan and it’s with a company that the Lowcountry knows,” Tinkler said.
The company is Eden’s Redevelopment. They own Fresh Fields on Kiawah Island. The aesthetic of redevelopment at Sumar would mirror that project, but be unique to West Ashley.
“I’m excited for the energy it’ll create for the revitalization for all of West Ashley,” Shahid said.
Shahid emphasized how important it is that the meeting includes the public, “This is the best form of democracy. People come out, they hear what their leadership is proposing, the leaders have to listen to what they reaction is going to be, and from that you make the modifications to the project to take in account the public’s input.”
During the public hearing, the mayor talked about how they need to make a decision on the space fairly quickly, saying if council approves it, it would be a fast turnaround the get construction underway.
At the public meeting, some residents expressed concern about the noise that could come from the space especially if there is live music.
The city says any live music would adhere to the noise ordinance.
Other residents we spoke to are in favor of the mayor’s proposal and say they just want to see the space developed after years of back and forth.
City council will vote on the redevelopment in early September.
