Special Planning Commission Meeting on the Future of Union Pier

The State Ports Authority (SPA) is poised to redevelop the 70-acre Union Pier site in the historic district along the Cooper River. Redevelopment of Union Pier is a critically important opportunity for Charleston. On Monday, December 12^th, the Planning Commission is conducting a Special Informational Session on the future of the Union Pier at 12pm in the Gaillard Center Salon at 2 George Street. The Planning Commission has requested this workshop to discuss initial ideas for the Union Pier site in advance of any submittals for the redevelopment of Union Pier. The meeting will be informational only, and no actions will be taken by the Planning Commission. The meeting is open to the public, and will also be livestreamed on the City of Charleston Public Meetings YouTube channel. HCF encourages you to attend or tune-in.

SPA has engaged the LOWE development team to lead the master planning effort for Union Pier. SPA and LOWE hosted three public engagements events this fall to seek ideas and feedback from the community to inform the future of the site and presented a concept plan in late October. The development team hopes to pursue zoning approvals from the city starting in the spring of 2023. The SPA and LOWE team have included some project images and concepts on their website. Below is a high-level summary:

• Of the 70 acres that comprise Union Pier, 30 acres cannot be developed as they are on piers over water and must be be dedicated to maritime use or public space. The 40 acres of upland area is developable.
• The master plan development team has devised Union Pier Master Plan Principles to act as a litmus test for all aspects of the future of Union Pier: Connections for Multimodal Mobility, Programs/Uses Reflect and Complement Charleston, Open Spaces and Waterfront Access, Stormwater Management Solutions, & Coastal Resiliency from Storm Surge Flooding.
• Proposed Height Framework – Ranges from 4-stories to 8-stories with a textured/punctuated skyline.
• Proposed Streets – Extend existing west to east corridors through the site and terminate at the Cooper River, re-establish Concord Street through the site as a “high street,” and add pedestrian alleyways spanning east to west.
• Proposed Public Space—Pier park, civic space surrounding the Bennett Rice Mill façade, urban parklets, dog parks, playgrounds, and continue the pedestrian promenade from Waterfront Park connecting to Gadsden’s Wharf.
• Proposed Uses – Multi-family, office, restaurants/retail, and accommodations.
• Flood Protection and Resilience Planning – Proposed improvements to existing drainage/tunnels, on-site water retention, new infrastructure incorporates resilience standards, and edge protection will align with the proposed ACOE Peninsula Seawall.

HCF remains committed to ensuring Union Pier becomes a vibrant neighborhood that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors, advocating for the community’s desires, and ensuring the public is informed and engaged. HCF Broad Priorities for the Future of Union Pier include: Stabilization and Preservation of the Bennett Rice Mill; Public Access to the Waterfront through Parks and Open Space; Improved Resiliency and Flood Mitigation; Creation of a Vibrant New Peninsula Neighborhood; & High Quality Architectural Design that Adheres to Charleston’s Historic Scale and Form. We look forward to sharing additional recommendations and comments on the future of Union Pier.