NORTH CHARLESTON — Mayor Keith Summey was frank about the city’s ability to deal with blocked railroad crossings, an issue that has long frustrated commuters who find themselves stuck by trains on busy corridors throughout the city.
“Unfortunately, there’s nothing that can be done at the local level to dictate train movements in our city,” Summey said in his 2022 State of the City address Jan. 27. “We wish there was.”
But Summey suggested there’s light at the end of the tunnel. The State Ports Authority, which recently opened its Leatherman Terminal near the former Charleston Naval Base, has agreed to help fund a rail overpass at Rivers and Durant avenues, Summey said. Additional funding will be needed to finish the project.
In a prerecorded, 12-minute address released during the city’s City Council meeting, the mayor focused on five main areas: the city’s upcoming 50th anniversary, recreation, redevelopment of the old Navy base, infrastructure improvements and public safety.
The mayor briefly touted the city’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and said he’s delighted things are slowly returning to normal. In that regard, Summey announced the return of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Block Party and Parade, scheduled for March 12.
But as the mayor touted promising projects on the horizon, notably absent from his speech was any mention of housing affordability. Neither did the mayor speak to how the city intends to support the predominately African American neighborhoods on the city’s southern end against the threat of gentrification, as property values on that side of town have continued to rise and the area has become increasingly attractive to developers.
Affordable housing should be a priority because it ensures opportunities for all individuals to improve their economic situation, said Omar Muhammad, executive director of the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities.
“The people of North Charleston have to put a focus on affordability,” Muhammad said.
Summey did reference the need to protect the city’s traditional neighborhoods. He said that effort is being accomplished through the Rivers Avenue Overlay District, which will keep “high-density growth in the proper areas of our city.”
The plan seeks to complement the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project, which will create a 23-mile bus route through the city.
50th anniversary
Established June 12, 1972, North Charleston reaches a milestone this year as it celebrates five decades as a municipality. To celebrate the occasion, the city will host what the mayor described as a family-friendly community celebration in June to highlight the city’s history.
Summey also spoke to the city’s financial success over the past few decades. North Charleston saw $7.4 billion in retail sales last year, making it the No. 1 in the state for the 29th consecutive year, he said.
“The past 50 years of North Charleston has been marked with ups and downs,” Summey said. “But our progress is undeniable.”
Recreation
Incoming recreation projects include the revitalization of Park Circle’s Felix C. Davis Community Center and a playground and ball field at the circle to accommodate children of all abilities. The city also plans to revamp the Danny Jones Complex in the neighborhood to include an aquatic center and gym, Summey said.
Two new senior centers off Carner Avenue and near the North Charleston Aquatic Center are also in the works.
“With additions in the southern end and Dorchester County areas of the city, we will have easily accessible centers for activities for our elderly population,” Summey said.
Base redevelopment
The mayor recorded his address from a room inside the newly renovated Admiral’s House on the former Navy base. The building was refurbished in a $4.3 million project completed last summer. The house joins Quarters F and K as spaces on the old base available for weddings, businesses gatherings and family events.
The city is also in the process of creating a neighborhood in the historic part of the base. Known as Olmstead Park, the community will feature dozens of homes under and around oak trees. Also nearby, the city is nearing completion of its pedestrian bridge that’ll expand Riverfront Park across Noisette Creek.
Farther north, private developers seeks to transform 1.2 million square feet into new restaurants, shops, residences and offices. The plan includes revamping the old Power House into a space that could host concerts.
“In what is largely a working center shall be transformed with residential units and community-focused commercial space being established over the next few years,” Summey said.
Infrastructure improvements
Keeping up with the city’s growth requires improvements to local roadways, but this process will be neither quick nor cheap.
Summey highlighted a few road projects in the planning phases that seek to relieve traffic congestion. Most notable is a pair of plans by the state Department of Transportation to widen Interstate 526. One part of the plan is the Lowcountry Corridor East project, which will cost $2.98 billion and widen the interstate through North Charleston and West Ashley. The project, which is now in the planning phases, will displace dozens of residents in four North Charleston neighborhoods.
The other portion of the overall plan is the $4 billion dollar Lowcountry Corridor West project, which will widen the highway from North Charleston through Daniel Island and into Mount Pleasant.
Other road projects include extending Palmetto Commerce Parkway pass Ashley Phosphate to Aviation Avenue, widening Dorchester Road between Michaux Parkway to Cross County Road, building a pedestrian bridge across the Ashley River to West Ashley, and constructing the Lowcountry Rapid Transit.
“Over the next 10 years, North Charleston will see a lot of orange cones,” Summey said. “But the result will be improved infrastructure and mobility.”
Public Safety
The mayor touched on the police department’s 2021 racial bias audit, which found disparities in a number of the city’s law enforcement practices. Summey said the city is committed to improving community relations and transparency.
While there are always areas of improvement, Summey said he’s pleased the audit acknowledged the city as a diverse community with different communities that require “various levels of police presence.”
While accountability was a concern among residents, Summey pointed out that the audit recognized the active work to promote officer responsibility.
Summey expressed confidence in Chief Reggie Burgess’ leadership.
“He is keenly aware that working hand-in-hand with the community improves our department and our city,” Summey said.
