Man, during the last few years, the College of Charleston has transformed itself from a sleepy small-town school to a bustling, sprawling, growing urban campus that seems to be taking over downtown. First you had the completion of the massive new library on Calhoun Street in 2005. Two years later, the education building at the corner of Wentworth and St. Philip streets was completed along with the new dorms and parking garage (thank you!) on the massive George/St. Philip/Liberty plot of land. As those projects were being completed, the college broke ground on three other big buildings: the arena on Meeting Street, the new arts center on St. Philip, and the science center at Coming and Calhoun. The arena opened a few months back and is an awesome new addition to the downtown landscape. The new arts center should also add a fresh, minty taste to the musty museum of old houses downtown. The new Wayland and Marion Cato Center for the Arts will house a cutting-edge gallery and performance spaces, leading us to happily anticipate the effect this will have on the next Spoleto season. As for the science center on Calhoun, all we know is that it’s the largest building project the college has ever undertaken. We’re excited to see the growing campus. It reflects a vibrant, living city — not a stagnant swamp circa 1800.
Stay cool. Support City Paper.
City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.