Councilman Ron Brinson – July 25, 2018
Waste Collections Transition – This changeover began with our city’s new fiscal year on July 1, and involved more than 7,000 collection bins. The holiday week schedule created some additional confusion, but, the new operation is settling down and our surveys in the field indicate residents have high positive feelings about this.
– +++ Carolina Waste will collect the trash bins and yard debris, but this remains a customer service administered by the city. If you have a question, please call the Public Works help-line at 843 745-1026. And if you still need assistance thereafter, contact me at this e mail address. We are closely monitoring this from a service performance view and I would appreciate knowing of any issues.
+++++If you still have an old bin, put it on the curb – empty—and it will be collected by Carolina in regular operations.
What’s Going On? – That’s a three-unit shopping unit taking shape on Ladson Road next to the Walmart Neighborhood Market. Fantastic Sams, a hair salon, and a veterinarian clinic will occupy two of the units. Those are turning lanes and utilities work now being completed near the entrance to Coosaw Preserve. Panera Bread’s project at the Corner at Wescott is moving along and should be in construction by mid-September. The buildout of the old Goodwill Center on Dorchester Road is underway and Rainbow Daycare should be in operation within 90 days. An upscale seafood-themed restaurant project is planned for the old Bi-Lo shopping center at Dorchester Road and Ashley Phosphate. This will bring together an Atlanta culinary group and a Charleston-based chef. And in what might be yet another cruel tease, developers are reporting that Krispy Kreme still is planning to complete its Ladson Road project. Stay tuned!
Charleston County Recycling Center – This project on Ashley Phosphate Road is in a start-and-stop mode because of site engineering challenges. Its completion could provide the arrangements needed for resumption of curbside recycling for North Charleston residents in Dorchester County.
– +++++ In the meanwhile, please consider Dorchester County’s convenient sites for recycling. Update your understanding of these operations, including locations and rules, at https://www.dorchestercountysc.gov/services/public-works/garbage-and-recycling
Mercedes Vans – Palmetto Commerce Parkway – This manufacturing facility is expanding and will soon employ nearly 2,000 persons. Its campus is operational on both sides of PCP and includes a well-buffered 60-acre marshalling yard for the vehicles. The city and Mercedes have been formulating a Planned Development District zoning document to guide future expansions and changes. Mercedes has been very cooperative and this collaborative plan is before City Council for final approval this week.
Fun Jobs Part-Time – Our city operates the North Charleston Coliseum, Performing Arts Center and the Greater Charleston Convention Center. Good service depends on good assistance from the staffs at these very busy facilities during performances and events. If you have an interest in part-time job openings, please call the Human Resources Office at the complex, 843 529 2005. The pay is nominal but the chance to provide a public service and experience the events is attractive to many.
Void of Regional Planning – Here’s an op ed column from the Post and Courier which addresses the lack of regional planning to accommodate development. This relates to the news that 105,000 residential units have been permitted for construction in Greater Charleston. This portends a population increase over time of 270,000 persons. Growth per se is a challenge. Growth without commitments to basic infrastructure such as roads and schools and even transit makes the inherent challenges even more risky.
Please contact me anytime with your questions; and please pass this newsletter on to your neighbors. I depend on property owners associations to broadly distribute these updates beyond the direct mailing list. Glad to include any residents on the direct list. Just e mail me at this address.
