Dockside Condominium residents begin move-out process

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Dockside Condominium residents began moving out Monday after a plan approved by the City of Charleston and the Dockside Board of Association stated the process could start.

The condos were evacuated in late February due to structural issues. Residents were given 48 hours to pack up their belongings because the building was deemed unfit for safe occupancy by the city. However, this left residents with not enough answers for the sudden evacuation.

“As I said, it’s a big mystery for everybody. It’s a great sadness and very big hardship to everybody but especially widows and widowers who have no investment now,” Linda Shelbourne, a Dockside homeowner, said.

April 14 is the start of residents clearing four units a day, starting with the top floor. It is expected two units will have a packing day while the other two are moving their belongings out of the building, such as larger furniture items.

“This is the first day that we were allowed and only day to pack,” Shelbourne said. “We have a beautiful condominium up there, I’m looking at right now, it’s the penthouse. It’s small but wonderful and has been a great retreat and we are thankful to the Lord for it, and we’re very sad about this.” 

The city and the Dockside Board require residents, helpers, and movers to sign a liability waiver acknowledging the risks of entering the building. However, homeowners and renters tell News 2 they are unsure if they are ever going to be able to come back.

“We always wanted to live at Dockside and now we never will be able to get back in. We don’t think we will ever get back in, so we’re taking everything out,” said Shelbourne.

The move-out process is expected to take 11 weeks and will be conducted during standard business hours.