Councilman Ron Brinson May 12, 2019
Good News – Bids are in for several Districts 4 and 9 roadway repaving projects. This $420,000 package results from grants to our city from the Dorchester County Transportation Committee. This group is appointed by the legislative delegation. Each of South Carolina’s 46 counties receives a rebate of the state’s fuel tax for “local” maintenance and improvements of roadways. Allocations are determined by the County Transportation Committee. The initial District 4 projects are repaving sections on Wescott Boulevard, from Ballentine to Ayscough, and Patriot, from Wildflower Way to Oak Leaf. We are hopeful the final budgeting will permit the city to repair and repave that winter-storm damaged section of Windsor Hill Boulevard near Indigo Palms and perform intersection repairs on Patriot from Appian Way to Club Course. We will continue to work closely with the Dorchester CTC to achieve more consistent funding for our district& rsquo;s roads, many that are heavily traveled each day by regional commuters.
Promising News – S.C. Department of Transportation will soon begin resurfacing Dorchester Road, from Indigo Fields to Club Course/Netherby. The Ashley Phosphate, Appian Way and Club Course/Netherby intersections will be rebuilt. SCDOT plans to continue this long-needed improvement of Dorchester Road as funding is increased. I’ll be meeting this week with the chairman of the SCDOT Commission and Councilman Kenny Skipper to discuss lane alignments at the Club Course/Netherby intersection.
Hopeful News – Two of the three developers we’ve asked to participate in the fast-tracking funding for signal lights on Patriot Boulevard, from the entrance at McKewn to the entrance at Coosaw Preserve, have indicated qualified acceptance of the proposal. We are still waiting to hear from Lennar, Coosaw Preserve’s developer. Work to connect the final links of Weber Boulevard should begin late summer. This half-mile section will connect Patriot Boulevard to Palmetto Commerce Parkway and then on to Ingleside Boulevard.
Disappointing News – Almost three years ago Dorchester County residents were asked to consider a referendum authorizing funding for new parks and new branch libraries. Mayor Summey and I supported this and urged you to vote for it, too. The language specified that a branch library would be built within the City of North Charleston. The referendum passed with 60 per cent of the vote. In the last six months, we have been working with Dorchester County Council and the Dorchester District 2 School Board to select a site. The focus was sharpening on the school district’s property next to the aquatics center; the concept, a branch library that would be connected to the school and provide community access. But all this planning came to an abrupt halt last week when the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled the question on the ballot was unlawful. The lawsuit was filed by the Summerville-based Dorchester County Taxpayers Association. The objection w as the technical wording of the referendum which combined “parks’ and “libraries.” County Council members promise a new technically-pure referendum for the 2020 general election. The planning for that North Charleston- based library facility continues, albeit at a slower pace.
To Widen or Not to Widen – That is a freshening question for Wescott Boulevard. Mayor Summey has approved our initiative to develop conceptual options for the future of Wescott Boulevard which has become a major cut-through arterial for regional traffic. Councilman Kenny Skipper and I will meet soon with traffic planners to begin this process. One concept is to turn Wescott Boulevard into a classic neighborhood street, with four-way stops, cross walks and well-landscaped medians. These concepts will be thoroughly reviewed in public forums before any decisions are made.
Farmers’ Market – North Charleston Style – This weekly program is every Thursday from May 9 through October 31, from 3:00 to 7:00pm at Felix Davis Community Center at Park Circle. It features fresh, locally grown produce – and art & craft vendors, and a variety of food trucks. Plenty of activities for children and entertainment for all ages, including free yoga classes from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. (Bring your mat!)
Aquatics Center – This project is quickly moving toward having its roof in place. Mid-November is still the projected opening, but that will depend on weather. Our city’s recreation department team includes specialists in running competitive community pool operations. They are now formulating student swim lessons, scholastic competition protocols and community access. And they also are already booking national events. This will be the only certified Olympic-standard aquatics facility in the Lowcountry – it also will be a special neighborhood asset.
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