Union Pier

UNION PIER PROJECT UPDATE

June 13, 2023

Following extensive community feedback, the City of Charleston and South Carolina Ports reached an agreement in June 2023 to extend the planning timeline for Union Pier with the goal of establishing a new plan that centers the needs and priorities of the community. South Carolina Ports has contracted with the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities at the College of Charleston to facilitate a community-engaged planning process. This process will ultimately lead to the creation of a plan for Union Pier to be presented to Charleston City Council in summer 2024. 

Union Pier project website  -  Provided and updated by the Union Pier redevelopment team.  Includes information about the project site, the proposed Master Plan,  the Planned Unit Development application submittal, and the team's planning process.

Riley Center website  -   The Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities at the College of Charleston is facilitating the planning process


THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS EARLIER UNION PIER PROJECT INFORMATION 

The South Carolina Ports Authority is planning for the redevelopment of the 70-acre Union Pier site.  This page contains information and links regarding the Ports Authority's proposed Planned Unit Development (a.k.a. Master Plan and development guidelines) for the property. The Planned Unit Development (PUD) must be reviewed and approved through the City of Charleston's public rezoning process, which includes the Technical Review Committee, Planning Commission, and City Council. 

Union Pier aerial photo credit: unionpiersc.com 

UNION PIER PROJECT INFORMATION

Union Pier project website  - Provided and updated by the Union Pier redevelopment team.  Includes information about the project site, the proposed Master Plan,  the Planned Unit Development application submittal, and the team's planning process.


CITY OF CHARLESTON REVIEW PROCESS

City of Charleston review meetings and opportunities for public input are noted below.  Agendas and submittals will be updated here as the review process progresses. 

TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE (TRC)

The TRC process typically involves multiple reviews.

PLANNING COMMISSION

The Planning Commission meeting and public hearing  typically occur after TRC review is completed.  

CITY COUNCIL

No submittal information or timeline yet. The City Council meeting and public hearing  will occur a few weeks after Planning Commission. 


UNION PIER & PLANNING COMMISSION INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS 

Planning Commission has requested three special informational sessions from the Union Pier development team covering topics listed below to better understand the project before the official Planning Commission process begins. These meetings will be for information only and no votes or official actions will be taken. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and offer questions or comments in person or in writing. Please click the "View Agenda" links below for more details.

Resiliency and Stormwater Management

Date: March 23, 2023, 5:00pm- 7:30pm 

Location: CCPL Main Library (68 Calhoun St.)

View Agenda .   View the  YouTube recording of the meeting.  The public is encouraged to attend the meeting in person to offer questions and comments to Commissioners. Written comments must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at http://innovate.charleston-sc.gov/comments/.

Urban Design, Height, Scale, Massing

Date: April 6, 2023, 5:00pm

Location: Gaillard Center Ballroom (2 George St).

View Agenda .   View the YouTube recording of the meeting The public is encouraged to attend the meeting in person to offer questions and comments to Commissioners. Written comments must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at http://innovate.charleston-sc.gov/comments/.

Affordable Housing (Joint Meeting with City Council Community Development Committee)

Date: April 20, 2023, 3:00pm

Location: Gaillard Center Ballroom ( 2 George St.)

View Agenda.  A YouTube recording of the meeting will be available The public is encouraged to attend the meeting in person to offer questions and comments to Commissioners. Written comments must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at http://innovate.charleston-sc.gov/comments/.