Community Organization Rallies for Transparency on CARTA Project

Community Organization Rallies for Transparency on CARTA Project

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — On Wednesday, Best Friends of the Lowcountry Transit, a community organization, organized a rally at 12:45 p.m. prior to a crucial Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) board meeting scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Government’s headquarters. The group is demanding answers and transparency on a “stalled project” in relation to a continuing quarrel over the location of a bus stop at the Ladson Fairgrounds parking lot.

Rally Aims to Kickstart Stalled Project

The crucial sticking point lies in the conflict between the Coastal Carolina Fair leadership and CARTA over the fate of the Ladson Fairgrounds parking lot and the specific location of a bus stop there. The issue has escalated to the point where a national organization, the Labor Network for Sustainability, may engage in the dispute. Bakari Height, a Transportation Equity Organizer for the network, has reportedly sent a letter to the Tri-County Council of Governments questioning the delay in the project’s completion, revealed a spokesperson for Best Friends of the Lowcountry Transit.

Project Negotiations and Offers

The Exchange Club of Charleston, along with fair leadership, proposed in March to lease six acres of the north end of the property to CARTA. CARTA acknowledges this proposal, which is separate from the original six acres approved through a federal public review process in 2023. This move signifies the second time in four years that CARTA has relocated the proposed park-and-ride location at the request of fair leadership.

Connecting the Fairground with Downtown Charleston

The ultimate aim for the contentious fairground stop is to link it to the proposed rapid transit system, extending to downtown Charleston. The system is mapped out to encompass 21 stops and three park-and-ride stations, with the total cost estimated at $625 million. The initial phase of construction is slated to start in 2026.

Next Steps

As both sides continue to review their decisions, the community awaits a resolution on the proposed project. The rally led by Best Friends of the Lowcountry Transit emphasizes the high level of public interest in this matter, underscoring the need for transparency in public transportation initiatives.