Lowcountry leaders look ahead to 2026 challenges, successes

With the Lowcountry officially now in 2026, local leaders say they are looking forward to top issues and challenges with cautious optimism. From affordable housing to large development projects, there is a lot to be on the lookout for this year.

1. Half-cent sales tax referendum to get a second try

A new half-penny sales tax referendum is on the horizon, with county leaders weighing options for what should be included after the tremendous failure of the 2024 referendum vote. With the massive (and expensive) Interstate 526 expansion project finally off the table, city and county officials are hopeful for more community backing to get funding for long-awaited transportation projects.

“Nothing has been determined yet,” said Charleston County Council Vice Chairman Larry Kobrovsky. “That has to be a top issue for the county. This referendum will determine what we do for the next 25 years, and I’m hoping we can put up something that’s transparent, fiscally responsible and better set to address our needs.”

Kobrovsky said he hopes to see a bigger focus on rising tides, green space and a greater number of smaller projects with big impacts in this year’s referendum.

2. Water management projects set to finish, begin

With the historic Charleston peninsula under constant pressure from rising sea levels and storm surge, daytime flooding from even mild rain events now vexes leaders. Several projects over the years have sought to protect residents and visitors better from floodwaters.

One such project is the high-impact Low Battery extension project. With the first several phases already completed, the final phase is set to wrap up in early 2026.

“My wife and I took a full walk of the Low Battery for the first time recently,” said Charleston City Councilman Mike Seekings. “This is a huge give-back to the public sector, and that’s what makes working for the city so great.”

Seekings also mentioned other water projects aimed at boosting the city’s resiliency, including the Calhoun West Drainage Improvement Project. Councilman Ross Appel also mentioned the South Windermere Basin project, one of the most significant stormwater infrastructure and sewer treatment investments in West Ashley’s history, is set to break ground in 2026.

3. Union Pier work underway behind the scenes

While visible updates to the large-scale Union Pier redevelopment project have slowed, work is underway behind the scenes. Local philanthropist Ben Navarro, who purchased the site in 2024, has said he wants to be a “steward” to the historic land, and has slowed progress to take in as much information as possible before breaking ground.

“I don’t know how much of this they’re sharing now,” Appel said of the behind-the-scenes work going on. “But when this does become public, people are going to be blown away by the level of analysis across a multitude of different spectrums. In a way, it’s almost completely changing the game in terms of how development is approached in this region.”

City leaders and advocates took an eight-day trip in November to three European cities to better understand how to develop Union Pier so it fits in here and deals with rising waters. Though details weren’t made public ahead of the trip, those who went said it was enlightening.

4. Public safety continues to be a focus

Seekings said while there is no one project that looks to address public safety coming in 2026, it remains high on his list of priorities for the peninsula.

“Any time you make the city a safer, more liveable place, it improves the quality of life for everyone here,” he said. “That’s our No. 1 job: providing our police and fire departments with the tools to keep our community safe.”

5. Affordable housing goals lofty, but achievable, officials say

The city of Charleston is aiming to add 3,500 affordable housing units to the Charleston peninsula by 2030 as part of what Mayor William Cogswell is calling Project 3500, and this year offers several chances to get a jump on the numbers.

“There has been a lot learned about affordable housing and how to do it right over the years,” Appel said. “Mixed-income housing is a big part of that — not just people of super-low economic status alone on an island by themselves, but integrated into healthy, more dynamic communities. This is a real exciting opportunity for 2026 and beyond.”

Appel pointed to Charleston County’s large property on Morrison Drive as one project the city is interested in for affordable housing, though its future remains uncertain. On the other side of the peninsula, he said redeveloping a lot of the Charleston Housing Authority’s stock could provide “tremendous opportunity” for affordable housing in the city by increasing housing density.