The display of political jockeying at Charleston City Council’s June 20 discussion about the proposed Sumar Street project was a deeply concerning failure of our elected leaders to make a sound decision in West Ashley’s best interest.
Resolutions on the future of this site and the funds required to complete it must be made on the basis of what is in the best interest of the public – not based on egos and political rivalries.
Council member Karl Brady identified this problem clearly and publicly during the meeting, and it was obvious to any observer. Others on council also grasped the gravity of this project, and realized that the potential for this site is far too valuable to be squandered by short-term thinking.
To the council members who argue that we deserve “even better” than Option 1: It has been over six years that city council has sat on this project. What higher designs have been proposed in that time?
When we consider the three options for the Sumar Street site, there’s only one sensible choice. Option 1 makes the most efficient use of the land and does not demand an unsightly parking deck. It is also the only Option that addresses stormwater. In fact, Option 1 follows the recommendation of the Dutch Dialogues, which prescribed “enacting an integrated set of green stormwater infrastructure development rules that harmonize parking, landscaping, open space, drainage design, detention design, and stormwater quality design requirements.”
Not only can we address flooding and parking with Option 1, but the city has the opportunity to lead by example in the revitalization of the Sam Rittenberg corridor. Whether it is Ashley Landing next door or any of the dozen other shopping centers nearby, developers are watching how the city handles this site.
A local team’s project
When redevelopment happens in our area of the city, one of the primary concerns often is that out-of-state developers are making a profit and leaving us with a mediocre product. It’s a concern that I often share, but that is not the case here. Landmark Enterprises is a local developer that only works in the Charleston area. The project’s designer, Liollio Architecture, is based in Charleston and has designed quality public spaces – just look at the award-winning Fire Station 11 on Savannah Highway or the gorgeous new Carr-Richardson Park it designed in Ashleyville.
In the beautiful space that Liollio has designed for Sumar, we can finally have a facility on this side of the river where the West Ashley Revitalization Commission, which I serve on, can meet to review area projects. Nearby residents will be able to attend meetings conveniently without having to drive downtown – and some can even walk there! When I served as president of the Avondale Civic Club, we often struggled to find a place to meet. Other neighborhood leaders I have spoken with say they have experienced the same problem. This new facility can be a place for neighborhood associations to hold meetings too. The convenient location of the Sumar Street site will encourage people to attend meetings to help them stay engaged and informed.
A good fit for West Ashley
The vision for Plan West Ashley calls for precisely this type of project at the Sumar Street location. “Facilitate refreshing/refurbishing shopping centers and commercial properties that have vacant spaces and/or a blighted appearance, including introducing a new mix of uses…” This project is exactly what that plan calls for, and following through on that vision is worth the investment cost.
This project has the potential to not only serve as a public amenity, but to jumpstart the revitalization of Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, too. Once this site is developed, others along the commercial corridor will follow. This will feed back into the Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) in that corridor to help fund future infrastructure such as stormwater improvements and building sidewalks. The longer we wait, the more expensive the project will become as construction costs are only going up.
It’s time for the city of Charleston to lead the way with a high-investment, high-return approach that signals to the private sector that we expect future development to be of a higher caliber and to follow Plan West Ashley. We deserve nothing less.
Kenneth Marolda is a real estate property manager who has served on the West Ashley Revitalization Committee since 2020. He is running for the open District 9 seat on Charleston City Council.
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