MORNING HEADLINES | A group of Charleston civic, preservation, planning and environmental leaders will travel to Europe next month for an urban design research trip as the city moves forward on Union Pier.
According to a press release, the trip will focus on sustainable waterfront development, resilient infrastructure and responsible tourism management. The week-long trip to London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen reportedly will directly inform the future of the Union Pier redevelopment.
The Oct. 23 release, however, left out vital details, including whether participants would pay their own way, who was organizing the trip and when participants would depart.
“This trip represents Charleston at its best: public, private, and nonprofit partners working side by side to learn from the world’s most enduring cities,” Mayor William Cogswell said in the release. “We share a commitment to protecting Charleston’s character while planning for a vibrant, livable future along our waterfront.”
The delegation will include representatives from Historic Charleston Foundation, the Preservation Society of Charleston, the Coastal Conservation League, Sottile & Sottile and Beemok Capital. Participants will study major urban and waterfront redevelopment projects and meet with leading architects, planners and preservation experts.
In early 2026, Beemok Capital, the company that owns the Union Pier property, will convene follow-up meetings to review findings and identify practical applications for Charleston’s ongoing waterfront planning efforts.
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In today’s issue of the Charleston City Paper
CP OPINION: Charleston election is perfect time to question city’s leadership, direction. “It’s been two years since Charleston voters narrowly picked a new path for the city. And frankly, what’s happened so far is, to put it mildly, disturbing.”
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Anglican archbishop accused of misconduct. Archbishop Steve Wood, who heads the Anglican Church in North America and serves as rector of St. Andrews Church in Mount Pleasant, is facing allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and plagiarism according to a scathing report published Thursday by The Washington Post.
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- Misconduct complaint filed against top Anglican official, Mount Pleasant church rector
- U.S. Anglican Church archbishop accused of sexual misconduct, abuse of power
CP FEATURE: Charleston escape game pivots to interactive haunt for Halloween. Trey Smith’s XscapeWorks attraction is a collection of four escape games connected via time machine. But once daylight runs out, it undergoes a ghastly transformation.
CP NEWS: Charleston County refocusing half-penny road tax effort. Charleston County leaders are taking a new approach to capturing a half-cent sales tax to fund Lowcountry transportation projects after a resounding defeat of a tax referendum in 2024.
CP ARTS: Charleston art exhibition explores roots of the poinsettia. If Christmas stylesetters were asked to name the most celebrated seasonal flower, most would readily pinpoint the poinsettia. The hardy, pointy-leafed blooming plant often festoons Charleston mantels and entryways in its signature eye-popping holiday red.
CP MUSIC: Porter, Symphony celebrate 10th anniversary of the Gaillard. Grammy Award-winning soul and jazz singer, songwriter and vocalist Gregory Porter is performing Nov. 1 at the Charleston Gaillard Center, a show that marks an auspicious occasion.
In other recent headlines
Charleston eyes property near S.C. Aquarium for workforce housing. City officials are eyeing a small vacant lot beside the South Carolina Aquarium parking deck on Calhoun Street for workforce housing.
Mount Pleasant candidates for mayor and council share views during forum. The Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce hosted a mayoral and town council candidate forum Thursday night.
- Folly Beach will choose new mayor, three council members on Election Day
- James Island will be electing 2 new Town Council members
S.C. judge says Isle of Palms seawall must go, but dismisses $289K fine. The controversial seawall built by a wealthy homeowner must be torn down, a judge ruled Oct. 23.
Charleston superintendent touts school improvements and rising scores in annual address. In a speech filled with applause and standing ovations, Superintendent Anita Huggins painted a hopeful picture of Charleston County Schools, celebrating recent academic gains and milestones.
500 S.C. teachers got bonuses of up to $57K. Program leaders want to expand them statewide. The pay-for-performance model has expanded since its 2021 inception in Charleston County. The program’s leaders see it as a way of rewarding the best teachers and keeping them in the classroom. They want to see it expand to even more schools, using a mixture of private and public funds.
‘Drug Take Back Day’ offers residents chance to safely dispose of unused prescriptions. The S.C. Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages residents to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday by cleaning out and properly disposing of unused or expired medications.
Local food banks brace for record demand as SNAP benefit concerns grow during shutdown. As the government shutdown continues, food banks and community resource centers across the Lowcountry say they are already seeing a rise in families asking for help, weeks before any potential disruption to SNAP benefits.
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