[UPDATED 12 p.m., 2/28/24] The previously completed phases of the Charleston Low Battery project are open to the public, and project leaders say they have already proven their value.
“It’s been very instructive, especially with the storms we had in December and the high tides in November,” said City Councilman Mike Seekings, who represents residents on the lower peninsula. “If you came down here to the Low Battery area that has not been refurbished — water was breaching, coming over the top. In the refurbished section, the extra two-and-a-half feet actually provided an incredible amount of protection against the oncoming tides.
“I have no doubt the last phase will be just as successful,” he said.
Construction crews have spent the last four years working to rebuild the lower portion of Charleston’s iconic battery, dividing the process into four stages to keep the majority of the waterfront walkway open to the public. Now, the final phase of the project is under construction.
The project seeks to elevate Charleston’s Low Battery to the same height as the High Battery (but don’t worry, the name isn’t changing). This will add protection for adjacent million-dollar homes against higher tides and stormwaters.
“This is an incredible effort — one that has required the work of many people over the years,” Mayor William Cogswell said at a Feb. 22 ceremony. “What makes it so important is not just that it is a place for gathering, it is something that is on every postcard that we have, and it actually serves a pretty valuable purpose in the city of Charleston. It protects us. And that is becoming increasingly relevant as we see sea levels rise and existential threats coming from the environment.”
Minor disruptions expected
The construction is expected to continue through April 2025, and residents along the battery can expect some disruptions during that time — but once it’s completed, Seekings said it should fit like a glove.
“For those who lived along this project, it’s been a long couple of years,” he said. “It’s a big construction project, but we’ve not reconfigured anything. … We’ve kept the historic aspects of this, and when you look at what we’ve already done through the first three phases, it looks like it belongs. … It fits into the fabric of the city.”
Murray Boulevard from King Street to South Battery Street will be closed to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists while Phase 4 of the project is underway. City leaders said they hoped to reopen the intersection at Murray Boulevard and King Street sooner to alleviate some traffic concerns.
A model for future projects
Seekings said the project should serve as a model for infrastructure improvements to come.
“It’s really important for us as we think about our challenges with water going forward, that we look at this Low Battery project — the hard edge that we’ve put on in a way that’s attractive, consistent with who we are and gives people access to the waterfront,” he said. “As we go forward, this is the model we need to look at.
“If you think about how long we’ve spent planning and then executing this, it’s been a decade.” he added. “It’s beautiful, it’s functional, it’s accessible, it increases quality of life, it protects our edge from water and it’s just an amazing piece of infrastructure.”
Seekings said the financing of the project was also important. The project was entirely funded from tourism dollars — about 20 million of them. “100% of the financing for this project has been paid for by people who come to visit us for the benefit of the people who live here.” The entire project, which began in 2019 at Tradd Street at the U.S. Coast Guard station, is estimated cost about $74 million.
But, Seekings said, the team is actually under budget.
“We had a plan from the get-go, and we assembled an incredible team to work on this,” Seekings said. “When you come in on time and at — or a little bit under — budget on a waterborne project like this with so many variables and so much unknown … it is incredible that they’ve done what they’ve done.”
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.
