Roof Repair in Daniel Island, SC

The city of Charleston will be voting Monday and Tuesday night on the approval of a $2 million replacement bridge on Daniel Island.

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The city of Charleston will be voting Monday and Tuesday night on the approval of a $2 million replacement bridge on Daniel Island.

The Beresford Creek Bridge is one of the only two ways to get onto Daniel Island, but officials say the bridge is in need of demolition and replacement after years of use.

The final approval of the project from the city council would include adding a pedestrian and bike lane since the current bridge is very narrow.

Charleston City Councilman Boyd Gregg has been pushing for approval of the project to reduce dangerous traffic conditions on the bridge.

“More than anything, right now, I’d say pedestrian access,” Gregg says. “There’s not a really safe path for pedestrians cross or bikers to cross; the new bridge will have much improved pedestrian access.”

The bridge experienced damage to its infrastructure about three years ago, forcing load limits on the bridge for heavy trucks.

More recently, fire vehicles and ambulances are no longer to access the island from the bridge due to its current condition.

City of Charleston Director of Public Service Tom O’Brien says the bridge was built in the 90s, and it used to be the only way to access Daniel Island before Interstate 526 provided another entry point.

“Obviously with all the development with the homes and the town center, traffic has increased,” O’Brien says. “The bridge we will be replacing it with will be a very solid bridge and will provide great access for the people.”

Daniel Island is also working on another project to build a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Nowell Creek.

“I think it shows the city’s commitment to provide these passages and safe ways to allow for pedestrians and bicycles to use the city,” O’Brien says.

Both O’Brien and Gregg are pushing for the project to finish before the next school year.

“There’s a significant amount of school traffic on this road, particularly for those traveling up with Phillip Simmons High School,” Gregg says. “We really wanted to try to get this done as much as we could during the summer to try to alleviate some of that school traffic and take advantage of school being out.”

In efforts to address traffic concerns, the city will be holding a meeting in the next month to explain the entire construction process and answer questions from nearby homeowners.

The project will be voted on at Monday night’s Public Works and Utilities Commission meeting and Tuesday’s city council meeting.

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At an informational meeting held by the City of Charleston at the Daniel Island Recreation Center on June 15, city officials provided an updated timeline on the Beresford Creek Bridge replacement project. The bridge now will remain open and passable until mid-July, when officials anticipate that utility relocation will wrap up and demolition will begin. At that time, the bridge will close to pedestrian and vehicle traffic and is expected to remain closed until the new bridge opens in April, 2024.

The new span will include two 11-foot lanes, two 4-foot shoulders and an 8-foot multi-use path and will be 4-feet taller than the existing structure.

The project was originally expected to get underway in 2022, but was postponed due to utility relocation permitting delays.

Mayor John Tecklenburg, who attended the informational session, explained that the Beresford Creek Bridge is one of 12 bridges that the city owns. Payment for the $2.875 million project will come from the city’s general fund, he said. Unlike many of the bridges in the region, it is not owned by the state or the county.

During the closure, the on and off ramps for I-526 East and West will be the only means of entering or leaving the island for business, recreation or emergency evacuation. Residents living and working on St. Thomas Island Drive and the surrounding communities will have to access Daniel Island via Clements Ferry Road to I-526.

Residents voiced concern about the inconvenience of a nine-month closure, at the meeting, on Facebook and via the paper’s survey (see page 6 for resident survey comments).

“I’m sure they are going to take every effort to expedite this thing if they can,” Tecklenburg said.

City councilman and Daniel Island resident Boyd Gregg was sympathetic, “I understand the inconvenience of nine months more than anybody – I drive across that bridge everyday – but nine months is a really, really, really good timeline for something like this.”

Gregg, who is also a professional engineer, added, “That is actually really fast to get a bridge torn down and replaced. Nine months is commendable.”

The bridge is being constructed by Cape Romain Contractors. The project engineer is Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT), Inc.

Mayor Tecklenburg said he is thankful that the bridge is being replaced, adding, “It really needed replacement and now we’ll have a piece of reliable infrastructure for decades to come.”

Construction Timeline:

March 2024: Roadway and path paving.

March 2024: Finalize construction

April 2024: Open traffic on new bridge.

This week there are several developments coming before the various City of Charleston boards and committees. Below are those items as well as results, if any, from the prior week’s items specific to Daniel Island and the Cainhoy area. More detailed agendas and results can be found at charleston-sc.gov/agendacenter.

Sept. 28: Point Hope Medical Office Building - Site plan for a new medical office building on 10.2 acres at 1101 Waterline St. TMS: B2620000028. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Will Cox, cox.w@tandh.com. Applicant: Genesis Engineering Collaborative. Contact: Jennifer Losurdo, jennifer.losurdo@genesiseng.net.

Sept 28: Publix #0846 Expansion - Site plan for the demolition of existing Publix and construction of new expanded Publix with sidewalk, parking, and landscape improvements at 162 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 100, including 6.316 acres. TMS: B2750000158. Applicant: Genesis Engineering Collaborative. Contact: Jennifer Losurdo, jennifer.losurdo@genesiseng.net.

Oct. 5: Point Hope Pump Station N2 - Site plan for a pump station, force main, and gravity sewer extension on 2.5 acres at 886 UT Point Hope Pkwy. TMS: B2620000028. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Dominic Jones, jones.d@tandh.com.

Oct 5: Point Hope Capstone - Site plan for private road, parking, and utilities to serve a mixed-use development on 24.3 acres at 1260 Clements Ferry Rd. TMS: B2620000028. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering, Contact: Will Cox | cox.w@tandh.com.

Oct. 5: River Landing Townhome Project - Site plan for a 30-unit townhome development on 8.065 acres with stormwater ponds and amenities at 56 Fairchild St. TMS: B2750000269. Applicant: Cranston, LLC. Contact: Megan Smith, msmith@cranstonengineering.com.

Oct. 5: Towne at Cooper River – Major subdivision concept plan for 9 lots on 30.39 acres at 2620 Clements Ferry Rd. TMS: B2710001035 Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc.Contact: Spencer Plowden, splowden@seamonwhiteside.com.

Sept. 20: Daniel Island PUD Amendment - Request Amendment to the Daniel Island Master Plan Zoning – Section 3.2(4) Daniel Island, General Office (DIGO) Zone. Applicant: Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, James Wilson. Wed., Sept. 20, 2023, 5 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room, First Floor, 2 George St. Results: Deferred until Oct. 18 meeting.

Sept. 21: Beresford Creek Bridge Dominion Utility Relocation (Major Modification) - Major modification to previously approved linear utility project. Owner: City of Charleston. Applicant: Dominion Energy. Contact: Cynthia Brown, cynthia.l.brown@dominionenergy.com. Results: Approval pending final documentation to Stormwater Management.

Sept. 21: Cainhoy Del Webb Phase 1 Revisions – Revisions to preliminary plat and road construction plans at Cainhoy Road including expansion of ponds and 10 new SFR lots on 124 acres and including 174 lots and 174 units. Owner: Pulte Home Company. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Will Cox, cox.w@tandh.com. Results: Revise and resubmit to TRC.

Sept. 21: Berkshire on Clements Ferry (Point Hope Goldfinch Tract - mixed use south) – Site plan for a new 192-unit multifamily residential development on Clements Ferry Road on 62.86 acres. TMS: B2680000002. Owner: TBC Development, LLC. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Tony Woody, woody.t@tandh.com. Results: Revise and resubmit to TRC.

Sept. 21: Towne at Cooper River - Clements Ferry Medical - Site plan for a new medical office building with parking on 3.8 acres at 620 Enterprise Blvd. Owner: Thorn Baccich. Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. Contact: Spencer Plowden, splowden@seamonwhiteside.com. Results: Revise and resubmit to TRC.

Sept. 21: Marshes at Daniel Island Phase 2 - Preliminary plat and road construction plans for new single-family residential subdivision for 26 lots and units on 4.9 acres at 146 UT Fairbanks Dr. TMS: B2710000010. Owner: Stanley Martin Homes, LLC. Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. Contact: Zachary Wortman, zwortman@seamonwhiteside.com. Results: Revise and resubmit to TRC.

All of the residences in Phase II at the mixed-use lifestyle community The Waterfront Daniel Island have been sold, a little more than a year after they were released, according to developers East West Partners.

Phase II comprises 41 one-, two-, and three-bedroom condominium units across three new buildings, according to a news release from the development company.

“We are thrilled to officially close out sales on this second residential phase at The Waterfront,” Harriette Calder, project manager for The Waterfront Daniel Island, said in the release. “Demand for this community has remained strong ever since its inception, reflecting a continually growing interest in the elevated, yet relaxed coastal lifestyle and vibrant social environment we’ve been able to cultivate here. Our residents truly make this community a one-of-a-kind destination in the Lowcountry and we can’t wait to welcome our Phase II residents home to The Waterfront soon.”

Phase II, for which began construction in April 2022, will feature luxury condominium residences spread across the Sabal, Camellia and Magnolia buildings, most of which offer direct, unobstructed views of the Wando River. Ranging from approximately 1,220 to 3,400 square feet, floor plans in the second collection feature outdoor terraces, elevated finishes by interior designer Betsy Berry, and river views, with some penthouse units. In addition to the residences, this second collection also features exclusive new homeowner amenities, including a shared, elevated outdoor courtyard for residents of the Sabal and Magnolia buildings and an outdoor terrace and gathering space called The Perch for residents of the Camellia building. Construction is expected to be complete on units early in 2024, the release stated.

Later this fall, East West Partners expects to announce the release of sales for Phase III of the development, a new collection of 47 total residences including condominiums, townhomes and a handful of marsh cottages, representing a new product offering for the community. East West Partners will expand upon its collaboration with Berry for the interior design of Phase III products and will partner with two architectural firms, including MacMillan Pazdan Smith and Court Atkins, to bring the residences to life.

All homeowners who purchase at The Waterfront enjoy access to standout amenities, including:

Direct access to Daniel Island’s newly redesigned waterfront park, featuring two public docks with paddle launch and dog ramp, an interactive fountain, waterfront swings, and children’s play area.

Access to an array of natural and planned amenities, including 25+ miles of trails with views along the marsh and water; The Kingstide, Daniel Island’s only waterfront restaurant with rooftop bar; and The Daniel Island Market and Eatery (The Dime), a gourmet grab-and-go market.

Private amenities including a resort-style pool; pool pavilion with fire pit, fireplace, and grilling station; fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment; community outdoor gathering spaces; and post center with onsite property management.

The master plan for the development of The Waterfront on Daniel Island includes six phases.

The countdown has begun for the much-anticipated 20th Annual Buddy Walk, an event that brings together communities, families, and individuals to celebrate inclusivity, raise awareness, and promote understanding of individuals with Down syndrome. With just a few weeks left until the walk, one local family shares their excitement for the meaningful event.

Meet Emma Dymek, a senior at Bishop England High School and a member of the school’s Options program. The program, established in 2007, is designed to provide an inclusive educational experience for students with intellectual disabilities. Each year, Emma and her friends in the program come together to celebrate each other and those who share the same experience.

“For her, it’s like a big birthday party,” said Emma’s mother, Belinda Dymek.

Ever since moving from Atlanta to Daniel Island eight years ago, the Dymeks have experienced the island’s inclusivity and community surrounding the Buddy Walk. Dymek shares that the event is like a grand celebration where the day is all about her daughter. Emma’s favorite part is getting up on stage with the live music playing and singing along.

Scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 15, at Etiwan Park on Daniel Island, the Buddy Walk stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of kids, teenagers, and adults with Down syndrome. It also serves as a vital platform to raise awareness and funds for the Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry (DSAL), an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by Down syndrome. Bishop England High School proudly fields one of the largest teams at the event.

Kristen Common, the director of the BE Options program, shares her sentiment: “Each year the Buddy Walk promotes community awareness about the potential of children living with Down syndrome. Our Bishop England students living with Down syndrome are competent and capable and it is so important for the Charleston community to recognize them as productive citizens who bring joy and positivity to others.”

The Buddy Walk is a testament to the unwavering support that the entire BE family provides to the Options program students. The program is what brought the Dymeks to Daniel Island eight years ago. Because of the students in Options, Dymek says Emma has made lifelong friends.

“Emma is a magnet to people. Because of the [Options] program and the walk, she feels like she’s accepted everywhere.”

Beyond the school community, DSAL finds inspiration in Bishop England’s steadfast participation in the Buddy Walk. Erica Chiovarou, DSAL president, enthuses, “The walk is a chance to celebrate all of our local community members with Down syndrome as well as their support team that ‘walks’ with them the other 364 days of the

year too. Our members come out to the walk with family, friends, classmates, coworkers, teachers, therapists, neighbors, and more.”

This year, the Buddy Walk is expected to have 1,500 people in attendance. DSAL’s mission extends to supporting children with Down syndrome, adults, and their families through various programs, including youth camps, educational workshops, social activities, and scholarships for aspiring college students. As the primary fundraiser for the walk, DSAL supports approximately 300 families in the Tri-county area, and this year’s Buddy Walk aims to raise $40,000, crucial for supporting these programs.

The Buddy Walk festivities, running from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., culminate with the 1-mile fun walk through the neighborhood, commencing at 3 p.m. Those in attendance can enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, Kona Ice and live music performed by Soul Fish Duo. Local marching bands and spirited cheerleaders lead the fun walk, creating a “tunnel” to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome of all ages.

The Buddy Walk embodies the innate joy of this tight-knit community, celebrating the individual journeys of its members. It’s a day to acknowledge the resilience and acceptance that define the Down syndrome community.

Dymek shares that although this is a day for her daughter, she also sees it as a celebration for all the parents who chose life for their child with Down syndrome. “There’s such a large number of children that don’t even have the opportunity to be born. To me, seeing these parents willing to make that choice of life for their child and

willing to take that journey with them, I feel like I’m celebrating with them all.”

For more information on Buddy Walk 2023, including how to register or make a donation in support of the event, visit the DSAL website at dsalowcountry.org.

Lowcountry Buddy Walk

Sunday, Oct. 15, 12-4 p.m. (1-mile walk starts at 3 p.m.)

Registration is $12 and includes a t-shirt and event activities. Registrants are also eligible to win online and fundraising prizes. Participants with Down syndrome can register for free. You can walk as an individual or family – or create or join a team. For more information, visit dsalowcountry.org.