Gateway Park at Camp and Folly

The Town of James Island has proposed that the property at the corner of Camp and Folly, where there is currently a vacant Subway, become "Gateway Park."    Charleston County owns the property, having purchased it in order to obtain the right of way for the Folly and Camp improvement project.

The proposed park will include a park benches, landscaping, a bus shelter, public parking, and way finding signage.   It will provide a bit of green space in the "Commercial Core" of James Island.

Town has requested that Charleston County lease the property to the Town for $1 per year for five years with three renewable terms.   The Town will be responsible for cleaning up the property and constructing the park.

The Town's proposal was presented to the Rethink Folly Road Steering Committee.   The Committee passed a resolution endorsing the project and requesting that Charleston County lease the property to the Town.

County Council's Finance Committee voted 4 to 3 to approve the lease.   There will be a public hearing at the County Council meeting on Tuesday, March 13 at 6 PM at Council Chambers in North Charleston.   County Council will then vote on the proposed lease.

At the Finance Committee, Chairman Rawl, Councilman Qualey, Sass and Schweers all voted in favor. 

In opposition were Councilwoman Johnson and Councilmen Moody and Pryor.   Those opposed were willing to sell the property to the Town for approximately $600,000.    They were not opposed to the project, but were not willing for the County to lease the property at a modest price.  The likely effect of their stand will be for the County to sell to a developer with the likely result of a third gas station at the intersection.

Councilwoman Johnson represents a substantial portion of James Island, but she said she would like to see the property sold and the money used for projects on Johns Island.    It might be helpful if some of her constituents on James Island would contact her and ask that she support projects for our Island as well!

There are nine members of County Council.   At the Finance Committee meeting, Councilman Darby abstained.   The real question mark is Councilman Summey, who was absent.   If Summey votes iffavor, then it will pass.   If he joins Pryor, Johnson, and Moody, then it will fail on a tie.n

The Town will fund the creation of the park using funds from its hospitality tax.   Nearly of the money from that tax is raised from restaurants on Folly Road in the commercial core.   This project will put some of that money back into the area.  This is consistent with the mission of Rethink Folly Road seeking to make it destination for people to stop, shop, eat and drink.   Many municipalities in South Carolina fund similar projects with the hospitality tax revenue.

If you can, please come to the public hearing next Tuesday and ask for the County's help with a gateway park rather than a third gas station at Camp and Folly.