Halfway Completion of Early College High School Support Building Construction

Halfway Completion of Early College High School Support Building Construction

The construction of the support building for Charleston County School District’s Early College High School has reached a milestone with 50% progress. The development engenders optimism of cultivating a prime learning atmosphere for the students. The Board of Architectural Review from the City of Charleston toured the construction site to evaluate the upcoming exterior design, with a major focus on harmonizing with the innate aesthetics of downtown Charleston.

Features of the New Building

The new building, located at 66 Columbus St., endeavors to encompass support functions typically found in conventional high schools— features absent in the existing early college high school. At present, student activities and classes run out of Trident Tech’s Palmer Campus across the street. Robert Summerfield, Director of Planning for the City of Charleston, stressed the significance of schools in buttressing the vibrant community spirit. He expressed hope that the new facility would offer students specialized study opportunities closer to home.

Additions to the new building include a gym, multipurpose room, cafeteria, and additional academic and administrative spaces – amenities not present in the current school. The current students have to make do with eating in the hallway at the Trident Campus. Once completed, the new facility will enable indoor dining and outdoor dining in the courtyard, revealed Jasmeen Shaw, the district’s Executive Director of Capital Programs.

Why the New Building is Crucial

Shaw expressed the building’s relevance, particularly given that 70% of the students are first-generation graduates. The new facilities are expected to evoke a feeling of ownership and belonging among the students, feelings currently missing. Initially, the project was projected to cost $36 million, but it has risen to $42 million. Shaw attributed the increased costs to the extra micro piles needed to buttress the building.

The New Building Replaces Old School

The new 65,000-square-foot support building replaces where the Wilmot Fraser Elementary School once stood. Looking at the current progress, Summerfield commented positively, stating, “It’s fantastic to see this site coming back to life after having been inactive for too long.” The building construction should finish by December 2024.

Upcoming Review Meeting

The architectural board plans to hold a review meeting focusing on the building’s exterior design on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. This meeting showcases the commitment of the stakeholders to ensure the new facility matches the overall design of downtown Charleston in harmony. The substantial progress marks a significant milestone for the Early College High School students and the wider Charleston community.