Daniel Island Rec Center deal in the works

Agreement between City and DI developer pending approval

A new Daniel Island multi-purpose recreation center is close to becoming a done deal.

Plans for the long-anticipated facility, to be constructed in Governors Park, are outlined in a proposed Fourth Amendment to the Development Agreement between the City of Charleston and the Daniel Island Company. A first reading of the agreement, which includes a number of other provisions, was passed unanimously by Charleston City Council in July. A second and final reading is expected on September 27.

An announcement regarding the new facility and other facets of the agreement will be made at the upcoming meeting of the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association to be held at 7 p.m. on September 6 at Church of the Holy Cross on Daniel Island. Mayor John Tecklenburg is slated to be the guest speaker at the program, along with City Councilman Gary White of Daniel Island.

“What we’ve been working on for the last several years now has really been sort of taking and giving,” said White. “A last amendment, if you will, to wrap up loose ends from a development agreement that is really 25 years old now.”

White plans to show some renderings of the project at the DINA meeting to give attendees a glimpse of the facility’s possible design.

“It’s not set in stone,” he added. “We don’t know exactly how the site will sit, but this will give people a feel for what to expect.”

As per the amendment agreement, approximately $5.3 million will be re-allocated from a previously proposed “District Park South” to the new recreation center in Governors Park.

“The POA worked with the City and collectively determined that the Community Center was the top priority for residents,” added Jane Baker, vice president of community services for the Daniel Island Property Owners Association. “The proposed amendment re-directs money that was originally to be used for a proposed large park on the south side of the island near the SPA property for the purpose of re-establishing a Community Center instead.”

According to White, additional funding sources have already been identified for the community center and may include private dollars. He expects the budget for the structure will be “somewhere north of $7 million,” but added that any shortfalls could be met through a bonding opportunity.

“We’re prepared to do it and do it the right way and make sure it’s a facility that benefits the entire community,” added White.

As for what will take place inside the facility, resident survey responses and ideas generated from the community at a series of public charrettes will serve as the blueprint for programming.

“I can tell you, all of the things that I heard people say they were looking for, and wanting, and needing…we should be able to accomplish that with this facility,” White said.

“This agreement will also answer many of issues raised by the residents in the city survey that was conducted last year,” said Glenn Williman, president of the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association. “That exercise reaffirmed the need for indoor recreation facilitates for youth and seniors, more access to waterfront areas and water activities, and passive park and additional walking and biking paths.”

Governors Park is the most logical choice for a location for the facility, added White.

“It was the closest area that made sense from an ingress and egress standpoint. It’s more central, parking is already in place, and we already own the land. All of those things coalesce and it’s the obvious place to do it.”

Williman called the planned addition of a community center “a great day for Daniel Island and Charleston,” and credited past DINA presidents and volunteers with “carrying the torch” to see that the island’s recreational needs continue to be met.

“This is a long awaited and very significant step in finalizing the development agreement between the city and the Daniel Island community,” stated Williman. “DINA has tried to keep this issue on the top of the city’s agenda for years. Long before I came to Daniel Island, DINA recognized that additional parks and recreation facilities were an important component of our community that was a promise not kept.”

Other proposed changes to the Development Agreement include the conveyance of a two-acre parcel of land along the Wando River from the Daniel Island Company to the City of Charleston, which would then convey the land to the Daniel Island Town Association (DITA).

“This means the community will move one step closer to having a waterfront park experience that meets community standards,” added Baker.

Additionally, as per the amendment, a 52-acre city-owned parcel on the island’s south side, near current Edgefield Park, would be leased to DITA.

“DITA will determine a master plan for gradually turning it into recreational land for community use,” said Baker.

Finally, the amendment also addresses the affordable housing requirement put forth in the original Development Agreement, noting that the provision, as well as several park-related obligations, are “terminated, satisfied in full or otherwise waived” and that those provisions would be replaced by the newly revised agreement. When asked about this portion of the document, Baker confirmed that the island’s affordable housing goals have been met in full.

To review the proposed changes to the Development Agreement, visit http://www.charleston-sc.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/07192016-2210.

Want to go?

Daniel Island Neighborhood
Association Meeting
Tuesday, September 6, 7 p.m.
Church of the Holy Cross
Guest Speakers: Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and City Councilman Gary White
Topic: Proposed Daniel Island Community Center and other parks enhancements outlined in a new agreement between the City of Charleston and the Daniel Island Company.

For additional information, visit
www.dineighborhoodassociation.org

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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