JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — A new mixed-use development is proposed for James Island, featuring a mini-golf course, retail space and a parking garage with offices.
The City of Charleston’s Design Review Board gave conceptual approval to the mini-golf course and retail building, with staff recommendations, but held off on the office and parking garage and sent those designs back for more work.
This development project is located at 1614 Grimball Road, near the Folly Road intersection. The plans call for a mini-golf course, a two-story retail building and a separate parking garage with office space, but not everyone on James Island is sold on what’s coming to this corner of Folly Road.
“It’s going to bring issues. There’s no ifs, and doubts about that type of business,” Rhonda Walters, a James Island resident, said. “It’s just not a corner that can handle a business of this type. It will definitely be a disruption to that community. A community I have lived in for over 60 years and that I am proud to live there.”
And as new development brings concerns about increased traffic, the city says projects like this are part of the solution to provide relief in the area.
“One of those ways that we combat traffic congestion is by providing things that are local, serving locally,” Robert Summerfield, director of planning and preservation for the City of Charleston, said. “It provides that local community the ability to connect and stay in their space, but also upgrades their options for, you know, date night or, you know, kids’ birthday.”
The board deferred the office and parking garage building, asking designers to rework the plans to better fit the surrounding area. The board also requested a restudy of ADA access and parking.
“We really want to see, as redevelopment happens, opportunities for that local community to really connect with whatever that future is going to be,” Summerfield said.
The mini-golf and retail space will now head to preliminary design approval, but it’s back to the drawing board for the office and parking garage design.
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