District Six Councilmember

William Dudley Gregorie

  • 2013 Mayor Pro Tem
  • District 6 Councilman

Councilman Gregorie served 32 years with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), culminating with 8 years as CEO of the HUD Columbia Field Office for South Carolina. As CEO of the HUD Columbia Field Office for South Carolina, Councilman Gregorie directed billions of dollars of critical resources to communities across the State. During his tenure, HUD’s funding in South Carolina grew from $660 million annually to over $1.4 billion, with assets in excess of $2 billion. During this time, the City of Charleston received $12 million in tax credits, and MUSC received an FHA mortgage for $400 million to construct the Ashley River Tower (The ART Building).

Councilman Gregorie was elected representative of District Six on February 17, 2009. During his time in office, Councilman Gregorie has accomplished much for the District, including being nominated by Mayor Riley, and unanimously elected by City Council as the 2013 Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Charleston.

Legislative

True to his call for more transparency in government, as the only councilman to introduce major legislation in over four years he:

  • Introduced legislation that now provides televised and web-based City Council meetings.
  • Sponsored an amendment to the City’s Fair Housing Ordinance:
    • To provide the city with enforcement authority substantially equivalent to the national Fair Housing Act
    • To increase penalties for housing discrimination based on:
      • Disability
      • Families with Children
      • National Origin
      • Race
      • Religion
      • Sexual Orientation
  • Supported a resolution for a Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.
  • Supported an IPAD Ordinance to reduce the amount of paper waste in City hall.
  • Supported a resolution in support of Offshore Wind Energy Development with the potential to create approximately 20,000 jobs.
  • Supported the Unity Day Resolution in celebration of the strength of our diversity.

Committees

Councilman Gregorie serves on the following:

  • Committee on Ways and Means, Chair
  • Community Development Committee
  • Human Resources Committee
  • Recreation Committee, Chair
  • Budget Committee
  • License Committee, Chair

Boards

  • Advisory Board
  • Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Finance Committee)
  • Charleston Development Academy Public Charter School(CDA)
  • Horizon Foundation (Voting member along with Mayor Riley)
  • Intergovernmental Council (Town of James Island, City of Charleston, James Island PSD, Charleston County, and state legislative delegation)
  • International African American Museum (IAAM)
  • Lowcountry Housing and Economic Development Foundation
  • Lowcountry Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors
  • Trustee, Emanuel AME Church

Memberships

  • Charleston Historical Preservation Society
  • The Homeless Task Force
  • NAACP
  • National League of Cities
  • Sertoma
  • South Carolina Coalition for Voter Participation
  • South Carolina Municipal Association
  • Urban League
  • West Ashley Senior Services Coordinating Committee
  • West Ashley Transportation Forum

District 6 Accomplishments

Councilman Gregorie has implemented and pays for a one-stop Constituent Services Program headed by a paid professional, which he personally finances. Over the years, the program has successfully addressed hundreds of requests, complaints, and inquiries with responses provided in a 24-hour period and tracked until the required action is completed.

Councilman Gregorie Supported Projects

  • Assisted formalizing the Bristol Homeowners Association
  • Completed phase 1 of upgrades to Ferguson Village Park
  • Completion of Arthur W. Christopher Community Center
  • Conducted Town Hall Meetings on James Island focused on housing needs
  • Conversion of Spring, Cannon, Coming and St. Philip Streets
  • The creation of the "No Smoking" medical mile around MUSC and Roper Hospitals
  • Driveway repairs for West Ashley and Downtown residents
  • Established the Redevelopment Plan Committee for the Westside neighborhood
  • Expanded fire protection that will ultimately reduce insurance premiums
  • Funding for all drainage projects Downtown and West Ashley
  • Improved recreation/park facilities Downtown, West Ashley, and James Island
  • Increased public safety for our schools, neighborhoods and entertainment district
  • Initiated naming of the Crosstown the Septima Clark Parkway
  • Introduce a Resolution for a 10 Year Plan to End Chronic End Homeless
  • Introduced legislation to televise City Council meetings
  • Introduced a Resolution in Support of Offshore Wind Energy Development
  • Land acquisition for conservation in East Oak Forrest (West Ashley)
  • Monitored affects of Gathering Place development on James Island
  • The naming of Higgins Pier in Ashleyville/Maryville, and secured funding for a feasibility study for the building Higgins Pier
  • Neighborhood signage for Downtown and West Ashley neighborhoods
  • Participated in MUSC’s Leadership Institute for James Island
  • Participated In MUSC’s National Conferences for Health Disparity in Philadelphia and Charleston
  • Program to minimize nuisances which may be caused by skateboarders
  • Re-establishing the Gadsden Green Community Resident Council
  • Re-naming Westchester Park, Thomas Johnson Park
  • Significant increases (millions of dollars) in Women and Minority Business participation in City-funded projects
  • Through Operation Home provided emergency home repairs for elderly residences
  • Weatherization/roof repair for the elderly in West Ashley and Downtown
  • Zoning changes to protect the residential fabric of our neighborhoods

Accomplishments as Mayor Pro Tem

Councilmember Gregorie has represented Mayor Riley and the City of Charleston through proclamations, speeches, panel discussions, and receptions. To date Gregorie has represented the City before more than 6,000 people through his participation in the following:

  • 6th Annual Charleston International Film Festival
  • Accepted Proclamation from CCSB for City’s efforts in First Day
  • Aktion Club Information (Disabilities Board of Charleston)
  • Ambassador .... Private reception dignitaries from Charleston Carifest
  • American Indian Chamber of Commerce
  • As Mayor Pro Tem, Gregorie served as a panelist in a discussion of MAJOR ISSUES FACING OUR REGION
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina Foundation Grant Award Luncheon
  • Candlelight Vigil, Charleston Leadership Breakfast
  • Celebration in honor of the late Reverend Donna Green
  • Charleston Development Academy Graduation Ceremony
  • Cigar Factory Historic Marker Unveiling
  • Conference call with Ambassador of Trinidad/Tobago
  • Easter Eggstravaganza
  • Elks USA Regional Luncheon
  • An Evening with the Stars District 3 Annual Winter Gala
  • Fair Housing Telethon (Channel 5)
  • Family Cup
  • Graduation for National Leaders Council
  • Groundbreaking for Harbor View Elementary School
  • Harry and Reba Huge Foundation Luncheon
  • Holy City Preservation Workshop (Preservation Society)
  • Inc Luncheon
  • Jack Adams Tennis Courts
  • James Simmons Elementary School Historic Marker Unveiling
  • Low-Country Housing Trust Summit
  • Master French Chef Conference Presented French Ambassador, Mayor Riley/Scott Watson, Mayor Summey
  • Metro Chamber of Commerce presentation
  • Military Policy Council Leadership Charleston Session
  • National Day of Prayer - Charleston Southern University
  • National Petroleum Energy Credit Association Meeting
  • National Walking Day MUSC
  • Nehemiah Action
  • Panel on Gun Control Safety in Education, Center for American Progress
  • Rueben’s Men’s Wear
  • Salem Missionary Baptist Church Tribute to Deacon Jacob Scott
  • Sigma Phi Gamma International Sorority
  • South Atlantic Region AKA Sorority 60th Regional Conference
  • South Carolina Community Leaders Institute (MUSC)
  • St. James Presbyterian Church (event) James Island
  • Swails
  • Tennis in the City
  • Thomas Myers Head Start Center Week of the Young Child
  • Voorhees College Annual President’s Scholarship Gala
  • Welcome Danielle Bradbury winner of the Voice
  • Welcome for Holiday Inn Grand Opening
  • Welcome Jet Blue to Charleston Reception
  • Women’s Resource Project

Issues

There is still much more to do. We must work to develop intergovernmental coordination between the new Town of James Island, the Saint Andrews Public Service District, Charleston County, and the City of Charleston. We must also prioritize our City’s budget to address the major issues of traffic congestion, drainage, livability concerns, public safety, and education. We can successfully address these issues and more by working together under a community partnership between our neighborhoods and local governments.

View or download the map of District Six.