Charleston Initiates Demolition to Revitalize West Ashley

News Summary

The City of Charleston has commenced the demolition of the abandoned Ryan’s restaurant on St. Andrews Boulevard, marking the beginning of revitalization efforts in West Ashley. This initiative is part of a broader plan, involving collaboration with local developers to enhance the community’s atmosphere and safety. Future projects, including the controversial Long Savanna project and the redevelopment of Sumar Street, promise new housing options and community spaces. Furthermore, a $100,000 grant aims to support local neighborhood improvements, showing Charleston’s commitment to revitalization.

City of Charleston Takes Exciting Steps Towards Revitalizing West Ashley

Charleston is buzzing with excitement as the City has officially begun the demolition of the long-abandoned Ryan’s restaurant on St. Andrews Boulevard. This marks the start of a fresh chapter for West Ashley, as the demolition, which kicked off on February 24, is part of a larger plan to breathe new life into the community.

Clearing the Old for the New

The empty restaurant had been a vacant eyesore for several years, making way for safety concerns and a less vibrant community atmosphere. But with this demolition, city officials are optimistic that West Ashley will soon see significant improvements. In collaboration with local developer Gramling Brothers, there are big plans in place to clear the site quickly, paving the way for future developments.

A Commitment to Revitalization

City officials are taking the revitalization of West Ashley seriously, seeing the demolition as a stepping stone towards a safer and more engaging neighborhood. In the spirit of progress, the city is looking to previous successful projects, such as the redevelopment of Sumar Street, as models for future growth.

The Long Savanna Project on the Horizon

Meanwhile, there’s a buzz about the proposed Long Savanna project located off Bear Swamp Road, which is drawing mixed reactions from local residents. This ambitious project aims to introduce 183 new homes — comprised of 116 townhomes and 67 single-family units — across a sprawling 156 acres. While the vision includes vital infrastructure improvements like public roadways and water and sewer main extensions, concerns linger regarding traffic congestion in the area.

Residents are voicing their worries about the potential for increased traffic, which may further complicate their daily commutes and grocery runs. While some have acknowledged the need for new housing options, they also hope to see traffic solutions rolled out alongside these developments to ease the burden on local roads.

Revamping Sumar Street

In another exciting development, plans for the old Piggly Wiggly lot on Sumar Street have been unveiled. A whopping $300 million redevelopment plan is in the works, with the city investing $44 million into the project. This plan promises a mixture of apartments, a public park, and multi-use paths for biking and walking. There is even a provision for making 10% of the apartments “affordable”, which should help boost community accessibility.

Yet again, parking and traffic still remain on the minds of local residents, who are eager to see how the city will manage these concerns while continuing to improve the area.

Grant for Neighborhood Improvements

Expanding the vision for community enhancement, Charleston has recently received a $100,000 grant from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation. This funding aims to support revitalization projects within the Ardmore-Sherwood Forest neighborhood. This is an investment in the future, focusing on community engagement and improvements that are long overdue.

The money will be directed towards mini-grants to help residents with exterior house repairs and encourage community participation. Local organizations, such as West Ashley Connects, are stepping up to lend a hand, organizing clean-up efforts and beautifying the surroundings.

Wrap-Up

With all these exciting projects on the horizon, it looks like change is coming to Charleston’s West Ashley in big ways. From demolishing old structures to introducing new homes and community spaces, the city is surely on a path to a brighter, more vibrant future. As residents watch these developments unfold, it’s clear that Charleston is ready to embrace a wave of revitalization and improvement.

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Additional Resources

• Live 5 News: Neighbors Express Concern About Proposed West Ashley Development
• ABC News 4: Charleston Unveils $300M Redevelopment Plan for West Ashley’s Sumar Street Site
• Live 5 News: City Leaders Approve Plan for Former West Ashley Piggly Wiggly Location
• CHS Today: Citadel Mall Redevelopment in Charleston
• ABC News 4: Community-Led Improvements on the Horizon for West Ashley
• Wikipedia: Charleston, South Carolina
• Google Search: West Ashley development
• Google Scholar: urban development Charleston
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Charleston
• Google News: West Ashley redevelopment