Charleston City Council finalizes plans for Sumar Street development

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)– After years of empty space, the City of Charleston finalized its plan for Sumar Street.

The $300 million investment will go towards a green community hub in West Ashley.

“Public space towards green space towards resiliency efforts, stormwater, sidewalks towards bike pathways, it really exciting what this will be able to provide for our community,” said Mayor William Cogswell.

The city chose Eden’s, a company also known for developing Fresh Fields on Kiawah Island, to develop the project.

“It all starts with a 200-acre park that is a community asset that will be the core of this re-development shopping center site. That really has the opportunity to be a very exciting dynamic hub for West Ashley and the community,” said Ross Appel, who represents District 11.

The $300 million project will be the biggest private investment in West Ashley. City leaders aim to revitalize the area with the project.

“Going back to the very beginning of the West Ashley plan, it was clear what the public wanted to see. We tried to take the best of everything, put it together, and make the money work. It wasn’t easy, to be honest, but I think we’re at the place where we’re able to provide something incredibly impactful,” said Cogswell.

If approved on Tuesday, the project is likely to start early in the new year and take about two years to complete.