Staff reports | Charleston residents can submit online comments through May 3 to a proposal that calls for construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Ashley River to connect the peninsula and West Ashley. The Ashley River Crossing project seeks to provide a safe connection and increased access to the peninsula for bicyclists and walkers who live in West Ashley, where nearly half of the city’s residents live.
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Jack Alterman’s new book of photographs is a smashingly awesome retrospective.
The large-format book of 204 pages includes more than 200 photos, some new, some familiar as a frayed, button-down shirt. It’s filled with portraits of people and buildings where crisp, warm light is as much of a star as the subjects.
You’ll recognize Charleston throughout, particularly in portraits of people from all walks of life. You’ll find Joe Riley, Marcus Amaker, David Rawle, Dorethea Benton Frank, Philip Simmons, Jack Bass and Nathalie Dupree. Then comes Harlan Greene, Layton McCurdy, Robert Dickson, Anthony “Tony the Peanut Man” Wright, Tommy Read and Henry Berlin. You’ll find artists Mary Whyte, Jonathan Green, John Doyle and Adrianne King Comer. These are images of strength and character with a smidge of innocence thrown in by the master photographer.
By John Tecklenburg, mayor | When the City of Charleston issued the stay-at-home order a few weeks ago, the primary goal was to “flatten the curve” so as to not overwhelm our hospital capacity and to greatly reduce the spread of contagion. I have been encouraged by the most recent numbers, which is a testament to our citizens staying smart, staying distanced and listening to medical experts. The plan to “flatten the curve” has and is continuing to work and we must be vigilant to keep Charleston from becoming a “hotspot”.
As we continue to flatten the curve, it is time to ready our strategic reopening to avoid any resurgence or spikes of the virus. I view this challenge in three ways:
* Protecting the lives and wellness of our citizens;
* Keeping our hospitals from being overwhelmed;
* Maintaining economic activity and core government services until a vaccine or treatment becomes available.
Staff reports | The city of Charleston received an $18.1 million federal grant for a standalone bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Ashley River, an infrastructure project pushed by a broad array of politicians and leaders for years to broaden transportation options and boost safety on the highway bridges over the river. Also in Good News: Carolina music in Oxford American; Boone Hall conserved; More.
By Jason Sakran, special to Charleston Currents | If I didn’t know better, it would appear Charleston is suffering from so many problems and shortcomings that some believe our best days are behind us.
Sakran
Based on the tone and tenor of some elected officials, candidates, and citizens — issues like flooding, affordable housing, crime, and over-development have become so powerful in themselves, they seem to drown out any discussion about hope, optimism and defining what our vision for Charleston 2050 is?
After two weeks of relatively easy mysteries, this one might be tough. So tough, in fact, that you might need a hint: It’s somewhere in South Carolina but not in the Charleston area. Send your guess to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com. And don’t forget to include your name and the town in which you live.
Our previous Mystery Photo: Our Sept. 17 mystery showed a different kind of 21 Club located at 21 Magazine Street in Charleston – site of the Old City Jail.
Archie Burkel: “What do I love about Charleston? Let me count the ways. But if I did, it would take 100 things, not 100 words. So I will pull out of my hat what I believe puts our Holy City in a class by itself: You find yourself talking to total strangers.”
We’ve collected several photos from around Charleston County of their photographic impressions of the Great Charleston Snow of 2018. Thanks to all who contributed. (More photos being added now)
Click the link above to findphotos from North Charleston, Hanahan, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, downtown Charleston, West Ashley and James Island. If you wan to send your photos, send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com
By Fred Palm, special to Charleston Currents | The driver of future flooding or its prevention lies in Charleston County’s comprehensive land use and the county’s zoning code that is now undergoing review.
Charleston County’s Comprehensive Plan does NOT have water height, e.g., FLOODING, in the plan. Imagine doing a county plan without having looked at an inundation map, let alone defining a land use plan that will accommodate future floods. To continue to muddle through is other than the top-tier governance that we need now.
The next meeting of the countywide planning commission is October 9, 2017, 2 p.m. There, Charleston County can take immediate action in addressing flooding by crafting the comprehensive plan land use and zoning code to address the water issues.
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | When Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as assistant secretary of the Navy from 1913 to 1920, he made several trips to Charleston to help “to build up, to some degree at least, this splendid Navy Yard in Charleston,” he recalled years later as president.
These days, the shuttered Navy Yard is a beehive of private and government activity as the North Charleston industrial area continues to redevelop. And the Navy’s presence continues to loom large with thousands of highly-trained specialists working at SPAWAR and in other facilities.
Back in 1935, Roosevelt landed in Charleston aboard the USS Houston after a fishing vacation in the Pacific and Caribbean.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina! (2019) by editor and publisher Andy Brack offers incisive commentaries on the American South, politics, the common good and interesting South Carolina leaders. Available exclusively for Kindle for $7.99. A paperback version will be ready soon. Learn more.
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