Staff reports | Contributing editor Fred Palm of Edisto Island reminds us that the Due Diligence Subcommittee of the S.C. Joint Bond Review Committee will discuss an agreement to build the proposed I-526 extension and whether to lock in the state’s $420 million contribution.
By Fred Palm, contributing editor | The S.C. State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) last week voted no (4-3) again on continuing the contract for completing the I-526 extension (I-526X) in Charleston County. On Friday, the county threatened a lawsuit, claiming the SIB couldn’t pull out of the project that would connect West Ashley to Johns Island and end on James Island, traversing the Stono River over the adjacent swamp-wetlands.
While the final costs of this addition have not been nailed down, it would be the most expensive highway expansion ever built in South Carolina. This is a big deal.
By Fred Palm, special to Charleston Currents | The Union of Concerned Scientists study headlined in in the July 12, 2017, edition of The Post and Courier points to a need to act on factoring sea level rise into the county’s long-range capital plan and beyond its present horizon.
Palm
The foundation of Charleston’s present and future economy and the elements identified in the Charleston County Comprehensive Plan rests on water as many of the county’s other challenges — traffic, housing affordability, balancing a thriving tourism industry with a high quality of life, economic development etc. — is directly and indirectly affected by flooding, storm surge and in our future, varying estimates of sea level rise.
By Elliott Summey | June 17, 2015, was a night that changed Charleston’s history and landscape forever. Although it started as a normal weekday for most of us as we tended to our families, late meetings and dinner, it became anything but normal.
While at a local hospital visiting a family member who had a stroke less than 24 hours before, I received a phone call about the events that had just unfolded at the Mother Emanuel AME Church. What was said on that phone call would never explain the sights and sounds that our first responders and those on the scene heard and saw firsthand.
Charleston County Council is expected to vote Tuesday evening on locations for new libraries for James Island and West Ashley. Also: Google milestone, Joe Lasaght, home energy savings
Carol Tempel and Stewart Weinberg write how people should protest County Council’s initial decision to locate a new library in an unacceptable place on James Island; Andy Brack says the state should stop kowtowing to developers; Kyra Morris writes about tourism in Charleston; Joanna Crowell offers a Palmetto Poem; much more in this new issue, June 1, 2015.
By Carol Tempel and Stewart Weinberg (updated) | The future of the James Island library is at stake this month. The Charleston County Council is scheduled June 16 will have a final vote for the location of the new library on James Island.
Last week, the library board presented a report to county council on available sites for the James Island Library. Many of us had ideas for a location, but we waited until the report was presented to the council before voicing a preference. The report confirmed our thinking…the Bi-Lo site or the Dills Bluff land owned by the James Island Public Service District would be the best choice.
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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