Officials urge Dockside Condominiums residents to evacuate

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Residents of a downtown condominium building that sits directly on the Charleston Harbor were told to prepare to evacuate, city officials said Wednesday.

The City of Charleston officials were advised Wednesday by the Dockside Association Board of Representatives that the Dockside Condominium’s engineering firm recommended evacuation due to a potential structural issue with the building.

As a result, officials notified residents they should prepare to evacuate by 5 p.m. Friday.

“Formal documentation outlining the evacuation details will be issued to the Dockside Association as soon as possible,” said Deja Knight McMillan, spokesperson for the city of Charleston. “The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority, and we urge all affected residents to take the necessary precautions.”

The condos are located at 330 Concord Street. The Dockside Board of Directors sent a statement to News 2 explaining that, at this point in time, they do not know when residents will be able to return.

“All residents have been informed, and we are working closely with everyone to ensure a smooth and safe transition out of the building. We will keep communication open with our residents. At this point, we do not have an estimated timeline for any structural work, so we cannot forecast when residents will be able to return. Everyone’s safety is the priority, and we hope to work through this as quickly as possible,” the board said. “We’ve faced similar challenges in the past, and with our unwavering focus on safety, we will navigate this situation with the same level of care and expertise.”

The building tower has been a cause for concern in the past after structural issues were highlighted in March 2023.

City leaders notified the Dockside board in February 2023, asking the board to correct found issues, such as columns that needed shoring.

In a preliminary report released later, engineers ultimately found the building would “safely support the weight of firefighters, equipment, and water in the event of an emergency.”