SPEAK UP FOR EQUITABLE MOBILITY!

FORMER BAKER HOSPITAL PARK SITE AT NORTH CHARLESTON CITY COUNCIL

» Mark your calendar for MAY 16! Details forthcoming

North Charleston’s Public Safety Committee meeting on April 18 was packed full of people who oppose rezoning the park site to accommodate industrial uses, with the overwhelming majority of speakers pointing out the multitude of ways the proposal would cause undue harm and damage to North Charleston communities, while pleading for greatly-needed greenspace and waterfront access “without strings attached.”

The Committee deferred making a recommendation for 30 days, so mark your calendar to attend that meeting on MAY 16!

As background, this site (located along the Ashley River, just off Azalea Drive and south of the existing North Bridge — amongst neighborhoods, schools and businesses) was donated by a philanthropist about a decade ago to the County as greenspace. Now, a company wants to use a significant portion of the site for a boat manufacturing facility.

We at Charleston Moves are very supportive of public (and free) park access at this location — with connections to the Better North Bridge, LCRT, and other proposed multi-modal improvements. We do not feel industrial uses, particularly next to environmental justice communities and affordable housing properties, are appropriate or beneficial to the neighbors and community at large. And industrial uses at this location are contrary to what is envisioned in the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

You can find all the ways to help on our blog post: charlestonmoves.org/old-baker-hospital-site

BETTER NORTH BRIDGE

Charleston County applied for a 2024 federal RAISE grant from USDOT for the Better North Bridge project, a standalone bicycle and pedestrian bridge between West Ashley and North Charleston. If funded, the crossing would provide greatly needed safe and equitable passage, offering access to daily needs, social services, employment, education, nutritious food, public waterfront and greenspace, healthcare, recreation, Lowcountry Rapid Transit, and so much more. Since 2015, four community members have been killed on this bridge as they tried to navigate from one side to the other, and many more have been seriously injured. Without even the provision of a basic sidewalk, folks are left to weave around posts in a narrow center median while cars zoom by within inches. For the benefit of our entire community, particularly those who are most vulnerable, we cannot allow the current conditions to continue.

Now that Charleston County’s Better North Bridge grant application is in the hands of the federal government for review, we need to shore up critical support from Congressman Clyburn.

Please call Congressman Clyburn’s team to ask for his vocal support of the Better North Bridge project. Below is a sample script and contact information. Don’t hesitate to email us (info@charlestonmoves.org) if you have any questions. USDOT will announce the grant awards no later than June 27, 2024.

Congressman James Clyburn’s Washington, DC Office
Phone: (202) 225-3315
Hours: M-F, 9 am – 5 pm

Sample scripts (check to see which congressional district you live in HERE):

If you live in Rep. Clyburn’s district

Hello,
My name is [X] and I am a constituent of Representative Clyburn. I am calling to ask for his support of the Better North Bridge project, a bicycle and pedestrian bridge located in his district that would safely connect the Cities of Charleston and North Charleston. Charleston County submitted a grant application for the project to USDOT’s RAISE grant program on February 28. Would Representative Clyburn be willing to express his support for the project to USDOT Secretary Buttigieg now?

The project is vital to not only protect the lives of Representative Clyburn’s constituents, but it also offers a safe and affordable opportunity to connect to Lowcountry Rapid Transit, grocery stores, jobs, schools, green and blue spaces, and other important needs.

Thank you for your time.

If you live outside of Rep. Clyburn’s district

Hello,
My name is [X] and I [live near/work in/visit] Representative Clyburn’s district. I am calling to ask for his support of the Better North Bridge project, a bicycle and pedestrian bridge located in his district that would safely connect the Cities of Charleston and North Charleston. Charleston County submitted a grant application for the project to USDOT’s RAISE grant program on February 28. Would Representative Clyburn be willing to express his support for the project to USDOT Secretary Buttigieg now?

The project is vital to not only protect the lives of Representative Clyburn’s constituents, but it also offers a safe and affordable opportunity to connect to Lowcountry Rapid Transit, grocery stores, jobs, schools, green and blue spaces, and other important needs.

Thank you for your time.

CITY OF CHARLESTON ZONING CODE REWRITE

» Take the questionnaire HERE (through April 25)

NORTH CHARLESTON NEEDS SAFE TRANSPORTATION ACCESS

» Petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/north-charleston-needs-safe-transportation-access

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO WALK + BIKE IN NORTH CHARLESTON?

» Survey: charlestonmoves.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/where-do-you-want-to-walk-bike-in-north-charleston

We want to know where you currently walk and bike in North Charleston, and where you want to see improvements made to enable more and safer multi-modal trips. Thanks in advance for your input!

HIGHWAY 41

» Army Corps must accept comments until they make a decision

The Highway 41 Corridor Improvements project has been in the works for years. After a lengthy process to develop and narrow down Charleston County’s alternatives to a preferred selection, debate continued due to the massively disproportionate impacts that would have been piled on Phillips, one of few historic settlement communities that remain. After tremendous public input, a Compromise Alternative was put forth and approved unanimously by County Council in August 2021. Charleston County is now seeking a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers and SCDHEC-OCRM.

The Compromise includes “a multi-use path connecting 17 to the new path built by Berkeley County’s Clements Ferry project.” However, in the permit application’s 30% drawings, there are some gaps in the path. Furthermore, several mid-block crossings along 41 through Philips are not in the drawings, the 41/Joe Rouse intersection is subpar for safe pedestrian crossing, and it is unclear how people on bikes will navigate the Winnowing Way/41 connection.

While the Compromise Alternative spreads the impacts more fairly among the adjacent communities than previous proposals, it is still a roadway widening. As we’ve said throughout the development of this project (and others throughout the county), we cannot rely on extra lanes of traffic to solve congestion problems. It never does, and it never will. Instead, the throughline improvement should be comfortable and connected multi-modal infrastructure. The silver lining here is that the design creates more of a grid to split traffic and modes, assuming aforementioned elements are addressed.

Though the formal comment period has passed, you may speak up to iterate your support for continual multi-use paths throughout the project, in addition to upgraded intersections that are people-oriented, and additional mid-block crossings through Phillips. Submit your comments using the following instructions until the Corps makes a formal decision:

According to the permit application: “Please submit comments in writing, identifying the project of interest by public notice/file number (SAC-2018-00205), to Jeremy.M.Kinney@usace.army.mil.” Please also copy the County’s project manager on your email: coyer@charlestoncounty.org.

CROSS THE CUT

» Petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/safe-bikeped-access-across-the-wappoo-cut

LOG YOUR CLOSE CALLS

» Click HERE

Please report your close calls with motorists while walking and/or biking through our community. These reports and your narratives are extremely helpful advocacy tools when we’re working with stakeholders on improvements. Help us advocate for your safety!

REQUEST MAINTENANCE

» Who + How: charlestonmoves.org/who-maintains-that-path