Plan for Prosperity
  • Overview
    • Why Now?
    • Vision
    • Who is Involved?
    • Catalyst Areas >
      • South of Mount Pleasant Street
      • North of Mount Pleasant Street
      • Stromboli Corridor
      • Shipwatch Square
      • Olde North Charleston
      • Amtrak Station
      • Mall Drive
      • Convention Center
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Convention center

CONTEXT/SETTING

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The Convention Center catalyst area is planned to function as a regional gateway.  I-526 bisects this land and connects with I-26 about one mile to the east.  With three exits from I-526 and one exit from I-26 providing direct access to major area roadways, this gateway district is easily accessible from all parts of greater Charleston as well as regional destinations.  The Charleston International Airport and Boeing manufacturing plant are located directly to the north and west and are major economic drivers that influence this catalyst area.  

The North Charleston Coliseum, Performing Arts Center, Charleston Area Convention Center, and surrounding hotels and commercial form a campus-style core in the western portion of the area that serves as a regional draw.  

The proposed Intermodal Station, under early stages of infrastructure development, is located in the eastern portion of the area, accessible by both road and rail. 

Catalyst opportunities

The catalyst opportunity that will help start development and redevelopment in this area is construction of the Intermodal Station.  The completion of this facility will not only bring a variety of users to this area, both those commuting locally and those coming in from all points via express bus service on Dorchester Road and I-26, Amtrak, Greyhound, or the Charleston International Airport, but adjacent properties will likely develop in response to the assortment of amenities and retail services associated with these users.  This project sets the tone for the entire catalyst area and begins the transformation to a mixed use regional gateway.

There has been some discussion about moving the Intermodal Station from this location to the Amtrak Station catalyst area.  In the event this happens, the Intermodal Station site can be used as an employment core without changing the basic configuration and phasing concepts shown for this catalyst area.

form and development concepts

Building sizes in the western portion of the catalyst area (west of I-526) are envisioned as low-rise (1-3 stories) that transition into existing neighborhoods, with mid-rise buildings (3-5 stories) around the Intermodal Station core area.  In the eastern portion of the catalyst area (east of I-526), buildings are envisioned as mid-rise (3-7 stories), complementing the mass and height of the Coliseum complex. This portion of the catalyst area will benefit from connectivity to the Mall Drive area via a new circulator shuttle bus system along the extended Centre Pointe Drive across I-26 to Mall Drive. This will link the Intermodal Station area to the regional accessibility provided by the new commuter rail and BRT/LRT transit systems running along the Neck’s multimodal spine.

The preliminary planning level program derived from the Long Term Phasing Concept Plan shows that about 450 residential dwelling units and 2,000,000 square feet of non-residential uses could be developed in this catalyst area.  

PHASING

A strategy for the phasing of development and redevelopment in this catalyst area is illustrated below:
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Short Term Phasing / 1 to 5 Years
  • Design the Intermodal Station and create adjacent mixed uses and a parking structure.  (Public)
  • Begin mixed use development along a realigned Montague Avenue near the Intermodal Station, including the connection between Montague Avenue and Dorchester Avenue.  (Public/Private)
  • Create a plaza and open space area as an entry feature to the Convention Center campus; convert adjacent surface parking lot to structured parking and line with mixed uses facing plaza.  (Public/Private)
  •  Fill in the street face on Montague Avenue and International Boulevard adjacent to the Convention Center campus.  (Private)
  • Increase pedestrian and bicycle mobility through sidewalk improvements and the addition of bicycle lanes.  (Public)
Intermediate Term Phasing / 6 to 10 Years
  • Develop a mixed use core in the area around the Intermodal Center, including a variety of attached housing options.  (Public/Private)
  • Add structured parking in central locations in the Intermodal Station area.  (Public/Private)
  • Continue conversion of surface parking lots to structured parking lined with mixed uses in the Convention Center campus area.  (Public/Private)
  • Establish a transit stop near the North Charleston Coliseum for BRT/LRT routes.  (Public)
Long Term Phasing / 10+ Years
  • Continue development and redevelopment of parcels to complete blocks and improve area connectivity.  (Public/Private)
  • Extend Center Pointe Drive north of the Convention Center campus, create a new bridge over I-26, and tie into Montague Avenue.  Create new vehicular entryways and pedestrian pathways into the North Charleston Coliseum.  (Public/Private)
  • Establish a transit stop on Center Pointe Drive between Montague Avenue and I-526 for BRT/LRT routes.  (Public)

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