September 26, 2024

 $300 million. That’s the estimated private investment to come to West Ashley from EDENS as a result of this Agreement passed by Charleston City Council on September 24, 2024. The investment is an unprecedented step in the revitalization of West Ashley and the result of countless hours of work by members of the public, City staff, public officials, the Ashley Landing property owner, and redevelopment professionals.

 A quarter-century ago, under Mayor Joe Riley, the City identified the Ashley Landing site for redevelopment because of its central location and significance to the community. While the owner at the time was unwilling to put any investment into the property, the last decade brought a resurgence in interest in building something transitional. The community’s fight to stop a gas station marked a significant milestone, beginning the process that got us here. That milestone coincided with the City’s preservative acquisition of land, the establishment of a tax increment financing district, and the commissioning of Plan West Ashley—all under Mayor John Tecklenburg’s leadership. 

 To paraphrase Peter Shahid, my predecessor on City Council, getting a consensus in West Ashley is a struggle. Everybody in West Ashley loves their community and wants to see it thrive in its own special way. Over the course of that quarter-century, through the participation of the community in scores of public meetings—charettes, public participation periods, information sessions, focus groups, presentations, etc.—a vision developed. I commend Mayor William Cogswell for his persistent work in bringing all of these complex elements together into a project that can meet the community's many demands and make it more resilient for the next fifty years. I commend my fellow members of City Council for their commitment to the revitalization and continued success of West Ashley. And I commend the EDENS team for their exhaustive study and investment in this project.

 While this is truly a milestone, it is by no means a conclusion. A healthy community must not only be able to maintain the sense of history and traditions that bind it together; it must also be able to adapt to a changing environment. Our community, both public and private, must take advantage of this significant investment and continue to invest in the appropriate infrastructure for revitalization, connectivity, and resiliency. I am convinced these types of investments are the only way to protect our neighborhoods for the next generations, and I look forward to working with Mayor Cogswell, City Council, and other officials in making these investments.