CARTA Considers 6-Acre Lease Proposal for Park-and-Ride at Ladson Fairgrounds

CARTA Considers 6-Acre Lease Proposal for Park-and-Ride at Ladson Fairgrounds

A recent proposal by The Exchange Club of Charleston and the Coastal Carolina Fair has suggested a compromise on the conception of a mass transit park-and-ride facility at the fairgrounds in Ladson, South Carolina.

Officially introduced on March 20 prior to CARTA’s 1 p.m. board meeting, the proposal encompasses a lease for six acres of land positioned at the fairgrounds property’s north end on Highway 78. According to the proposed deal, the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) would pay $800,000 annually to construct the park-and-ride service on Lot 1E rather than on the previously proposed Lot 1A, the fair’s main parking area.

Relocating the Park-and-Ride Facility

Building the park-and-ride between gate one and gate two at the fairgrounds would decrease the available parking capacity for approximately 30,000 to 35,000 patrons, according to Mike Jernigan, a representative of the Exchange Club of Charleston.

The proposed park-and-ride location has been changed twice in the past four years of consideration. CARTA representatives argue that Lot 1E has not yet received federal approval, while Lot 1A has. Consequently, changing locations once more may lead to a delay in the overall project’s timeline, expected to be completed by 2029.

A New Rapid Transit System Proposal

The proposed plan is part of a larger aim to allot $625 million to inaugurate a rapid transit system starting at the Exchange Park. This system would extend to downtown Charleston, marking a landmark regional achievement for the area.
Together, the proposed park-and-ride facility and the rapid transit system would include 21 stops and three park-and-ride stations.

Specifications of the Proposed Site

The proposed area on the fairgrounds would accommodate over 300 parking spots, establish access points for both buses and vehicles, and integrate a detention pond.

‘Save the Fair’ Initiative

Jernigan is one of several individuals advocating against CARTA’s plans to construct on the park’s land, leading to the conceptualization of the “Save the Fair” initiative. Aimed at reevaluating the deal, the initiative draws attention to the potential impacts of the service on the existing traffic congestion and the fair’s revenue. The fair itself contributes its earnings to Lowcountry charities and is completely volunteer-run. The Exchange Club of Charleston hopes that the recently proposed plan will foster mutual cooperation between the two entities.

Upon receiving the proposal, CARTA disclosed that it is currently under review by transit agency officials. The lease’s terms, however, were not made available to the public.