Charleston's Union Pier says goodbye to cruise ships

MORNING HEADLINES | The Norwegian Jewel cruise ship came and went Tuesday to become the last cruise ship to call on Union Pier terminal in downtown Charleston. The departure marked the start of a new era for the city’s waterfront.

Ben Navarro, the Charleston developer and philanthropist, agreed in 2024 to buy Union Pier from the S.C. State Ports Authority with plans to work with the city to balance tourism with Charleston’s style of living. Since then, a team of designers and developers have been listening to people across the community to figure out ways to incorporate parks, businesses, residences and more into a compatible neighborhood that doesn’t look like a series of brutalist buildings.

“Trust is earned through action over time, and this is another step toward delivering on the commitments we’ve made to Charleston,” said Miller Harper, who leads the Union Pier endeavor for Beemok, Navarro’s family office. “Ben Navarro’s vision for Union Pier is unwavering; this will be a thoughtful, incremental approach that puts Charleston residents first, evolves over time and serves our city well for generations.”

Beemok’s team, along with the city and the South Carolina Ports Authority, have spent two years researching what comes next, with expectations of a mix of shops, residences and public space.

Summer campaign: Donate to support local journalism

Keep the City Paper strong with a fresh donation. We’re embarking on a $25,000 summer campaign in July to support free, independent journalism at the Charleston City Paper. Every donation helps keep alive a voice of free, independent and local journalism. Your help of $25 or $100 is appreciated.

In recent headlines

S.C. begins fiscal year with no new budget. A fight over property tax relief and earmarks has stalled legislators’ work on the $15.5 billion state spending plan, sending South Carolina into a new financial cycle with no new budget for the first time in years. Legislators plan to return July 14 to continue hashing out differences in the $15B spending plan.

Heyward receives prison sentence as ‘ringleader’ of public corruption scheme. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel sentenced former North Charleston City Councilman Jerome Heyward to six years in prison for three different corruption schemes involving his role as a city councilman.

IT’S HOT: Heat wave spreads across the U.S., putting millions at risk. More than 160 million people are under extreme heat warnings or heat advisories ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.

Everywhere in S.C. prepares for higher temperatures Independence Day weekend

HOLIDAY: Heritage 250 Expo opens Wednesday at Marion Square in Charleston. The Heritage 250 expo opens Wednesday at Marion Square as part of South Carolina’s ongoing commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Organizers say attendees will find live demonstrations, storytelling, vendors and reenactments spread across multiple tents throughout the square.

Charleston’s Navarro wins 3-set challenge in Wimbledon opener. The comeback of Charleston’s Emma Navarro now includes a remarkable comeback at Wimbledon.

Charleston Opera Theater enters new era with first general director. Opera professional Edward Brennan became the company’s first general director on July 1, while founder Harold Meers transitioned into the role of artistic director to focus on the company’s creative path.

North Charleston police department launches new tool to target trespassing. The North Charleston Police Department is launching an Agent of Trespass agreement, allowing business and residential property owners to give officers permission to enforce trespassing laws on their behalf, even when the owner or a representative is not there.

Mount Pleasant inducted into National Civic League Hall of Fame. Mount Pleasant, a 3-time All-America City winner, became the ninth city in the nation to be inducted into the league’s Hall of Fame for a series of public input meetings that prompted leaders to take action on issues like preservation and pedestrian safety in the town.

North Charleston was the only city in S.C. to win All-America award this year.

IOP beach renourishment starts this month. After months of planning, the island’s first large-scale beach renourishment in six years will begin this month. The beach will remain open throughout the duration of the project.

Goings on around town

Our online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area. Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find.