MORNING HEADLINES | The U.S. Public Buildings Reform Board met last week to continue discussion on the possible private sale or transfer of several federal properties across the country, including the historic U.S. Custom House in Charleston.
The grand structure, completed in 1879 to monitor trade activity coming into the harbor, rests at the corner of East Bay and Market streets. But what was once a bustling federal workspace is now a quiet and mostly vacant historic property, officials said, joining 25 other buildings on a list whose future is uncertain.
Federal officials want to get rid of the buildings to stanch a drain on taxpayers. An estimated $1.34 billion goes to waste due to unused space, officials said, adding that the real totals are likely much higher. The board previously said it costs $414,000 per year just to operate the Custom House.
“The vast majority of federal office space remains vastly underutilized,” board member Jeff Gural said during the meeting in Washington D.C. “Taxpayers are paying a premium market rate for agencies to be housed in spaces that are definitely not premium.”
The board looks at occupancy rates, capital liabilities and deferred maintenance costs. Charleston’s Custom House has made it through two rounds of deliberation after a public hearing in January in Charleston.
The city of Charleston and local preservation groups have been monitoring the process closely, including the planning of ongoing preservation efforts for the building that may allow public access if it is sold. But officials say there’s still a long road ahead.
Final recommendations can be submitted as late as Dec. 31, 2026, though officials said they hope to have them ready by early September. Officials also noted they have several “unsolicited” offers on some federal properties, indicating they are “digging in the right spots and knocking on the right doors.”
Residents concerned about the future of the building can email comments and questions directly to the Public Buildings Reform Board at fastainfo@pbrb.gov. – Skyler Baldwin
- Related opinion: Protect Charleston by hiring archaeologist
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In weekend headlines
CP OPINION: Brack: Maybe runoffs aren’t such a bad thing. “What happened during South Carolina’s recent primary runoffs may give pause to some [ranked-choice voting advocates]. Why? Because if the electorate had not had two extra weeks to examine the two candidates in each runoff and get more information, the results might have been far different.”
CP NEWS, SC250: Tall ship fires a Carolina Day salute Sunday. The Spirit of South Carolina, a two-mast replica of a 19th-century pilot schooner, fired two artillery pieces on Sunday to commemorate the day of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, a stunning patriot victory during the Revolutionary War.
CP NEWS, S.C. WEEK IN REVIEW: S.C. lawmakers say no to THC restrictions, DUI reforms. South Carolina lawmakers on Thursday rejected reworked bills to strengthen the state’s DUI laws and restrict the sale of THC-infused drinks and edibles to adults 21 and over, likely killing both measures for the year.
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Pipeline company sues S.C. property owners over survey access. A pipeline company is taking property owners near a planned Colleton County natural-gas power plant to court after residents refused to allow surveyors on their land.
Charleston says Army Corps’ sea wall must be beautiful. Charleston leaders say they’re working with the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure the planned peninsula sea wall is as beautiful as the city it’s designed to protect.
North Charleston wins All-America City recognition. The honor, bestowed by the National Civic League, recognized the city for “investing in trust, inclusion, and opportunity” with policing reforms and neighborhood improvements.
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Goings on around town
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