We have an issue with gentrification and its unlikely to go away. Making houses more affordable means building smartly and lowering the build cost whilst maintaining the downtown experience and walkable lifestyles. We may want to consider a special zoning ordinance for micro house development in a similar way to other US cities such as Portland or Denver. A modification to MU with a rental restriction based as a % of market rate for the area. Small but beautifully appointed houses build for a city where outside can be inside 9 months of the year. Lower build cost and lower rentals to retain key workers in our city precincts.
Thanks to G. Summars who posted this in response to “If You Were Mayor” on Facebook: “I would provide parking lots and shuttle buses for hospitality workers in downtown Charleston. Most workers pay for a monthly parking pass for the very expensive garages. Show some love and consideration.”
Build a public private partnership to develop a local Well Being (or Happiness) Index – use data and surveys to measure economic, social, and community engagement levels, and peoples satsifaction with their lives and community. Use the index for public and community planning.
Our platinum citizens (senior citizens) are important to the fabric of Charleston, a city long known for its multi-generational social life – though not as much these days. When traveling in Europe it is very gratifying to see old men and women out for their daily walks or dining with friends. It would be nice to see our senior citizens in public places (i.e., Marion Park, King St.) instead of picturing them corralled out to facilities in the suburbs. We need appropriate housing in town for our wise, insightful, amusing platinum brothers and sisters.
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Allocate funds for the building of a recreational center in the Johns Island city park.
Convene a meeting with Reverend Mary Stoney, president of Sea Island Alliance of Ministries, Tumiko Rucker, Kiawah Town Administrator, and Liberty Fellowship, a Spartanburg, South Carolina-based organization endorsing statewide leadership and empowering local officials to carry out beneficial, large-scale community projects.
A year and a half ago these individuals and organization shared an enthusiasm with Mayor Riley and other city officials but the city has not moved forward due to lack of funds. Currently Johns Island is experiencing unprecedented development within and without the city limits. Certainly funds can now be made available.
This article gives a good case for why something of this sort is needed on Johns Island. Though, the article erroneously tags the park as a county park, it is in fact a Charleston city park.
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Every light location in the city should have a walk/don’t walk signal. This is especially crucial at intersections with one-way streets.
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We know that certain Charleston County schools have a winning formula, or at least excel in certain areas. Top-performing schools should be exchanging ideas and providing mentoring for other schools in the area. Ideas on how to approach curriculum, enrichment, character-building, resource needs, and fund-raising could be shared instead of everyone always having to re-invent the wheel.
Charleston needs a world class institution that focuses on Contemporary Art and is large enough to accept traveling art shows from other world class institutions. The Institution should also have a focus on regional art with a mission to promote contemporary art in South Carolina and the Southeast.
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Future Festival
We should have a Future Festival to foster new ideas of technology, music, film, art, etcetera.
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We definitely need this. Great idea, Merrissa.
Make city meetings (public hearings, city council, etcetera) available via live streaming with real time feedback to allow access by more people, including those with families, young people and people with limited mobility.
Overlay districts in commercial areas that require special review before a chain store can open. This type of land use regulation is in place in San Francisco, Seattle and 15 other cities.
Creating tax or other incentives for landlords to place locally-owned businesses in commercial districts with the goal of maintaining a unique business environment and avoiding ‘Anywhere, USA.’
Facilitate activities and services that will focus on preserving green space with a mission of fostering the development and creation of an American heritage park site, including historical Native American, African American, and Jewish American social, cultural, and economic institutions within the Cannonborough neighborhood and surrounding blocks.
Focus will be on institutions and individuals who were key to the development of this area and who worked for social change and civil rights within the broader context of Charleston and SC.
The converted praise church will be a new community center within DeReef Park housing displays and documentation for residents and tourists to observe.
Friends of DeReef Park
As Charleston continues to grow, increased public transit will be critical to smart growth. By providing public art and green space around CARTA bus stops, the city would be creating an enticing and inviting experience for riders, compared to many of the unattractive locations (i.e. East Bay/Morrison bus stop across from Sanders-Clyde Creative Arts School).
Promote collaborative partnerships between police and the individuals, neighborhoods, businesses, and organizations they serve to develop solutions to problems, and increase effectiveness and trust.
Transportation
Education
Economic
Arts
Neighborhoods, Parks & Housing
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I think this is the hope, have people live and work in the same area, develop it with its own distinct style rather than a replica of what is further south. On a similar note, we have the same situation developing on Johns Island aka Mt Pleasant to the West. My firm are having a hard look at small mixed Eco developments with forest and farmland for difficult plots. Low density, low impact living thats affordable for most. The only issue is build cost and increased density for smaller bedroom numbers. Not sure how this going to work out.
This is a great point Chris. Gentrification is likely to keep going as long as Charleston is a place where people want to be. What we need is affordable and desirable housing. I wonder if targeting taller structures with higher density in the neck area would also be a good direction. With the development of more high tech commercial space in the area, its seems like a natural location to try something like this.
I think taller structures in the neck area might be a good hedge against sprawl.