Concept Plan Presentation – February 9, 2010
The SCSPA, together with their planning team, hosted a community meeting on February 9 to present the Concept Plan for the Union Pier Cruise Terminal Master Plan. The following materials provide more information.
Cruise Industry Economic Study
Post and Courier article: Cruises to boost economy.
Letter from Jim Newsome: Tue, Feb 9 Community Meeting
Dear Colleagues and Neighbors:
As you know, the State Ports Authority (SPA) has been working with its professional planning team, the City of Charleston, and community members to create a master plan for our Union Pier property.
From the outset, through an open and collaborative process, our goals have been to…
- Create a financially viable Union Pier Cruise Terminal plan that reflects the character and quality of historic Charleston
- Comply with today’s enhanced cruise security requirements
- Identify additional uses of the property for the enjoyment of Charlestonians and betterment of the economy
- Mitigate impacts on existing infrastructure such as traffic
- Provide more access to the waterfront.
Throughout a series of meetings with community members, people have told us that they share our goals. They do want a more attractive cruise terminal, a plan to address traffic, a plan that is contextual, more public access to the waterfront, and additional uses for the Union Pier property. We have benefited from numerous valuable suggestions. I am confident that as our plan evolves, it will reflect much of the constructive input we’ve received from the public.
I’m writing to invite you to a Community Meeting to Discuss a Plan Concept at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, February 9th at the Passenger Terminal. The meeting should conclude around 2 pm.
Our planning team – led by Cooper, Robertson & Partners – will present a plan concept at that meeting, and then we’ll have a series of breakout sessions during which community members can discuss the concept further with members of the team.
We welcome your input and very much hope you will join us on February 9th. Meanwhile, you can always visit www.UnionPierPlan.com to learn more about the planning process.
Sincerely,
Port Broadens Approach of Union Pier Cruise Terminal Master Plan Area
On January 19, the Port announced that it will broaden the approach of its Union Pier Cruise Terminal Master Plan to consider the use of additional portions of its Union Pier property along the Cooper River, a decision made as a direct response to community input. An email shared with the community provides additional details.
“Jim Newsome Email Regarding Union Pier Master Plan Broadened Approach”
Post and Courier January 8, 2010 Op-Ed - Jim Newsome, President and CEO
Download PDF document here.
Post and Courier Architecture Column: Will waterfront’s past be part of its future?
Listening Session - Wednesday, October 28, 7 p.m.
As part of its planning process for the Union Pier Cruise Terminal and the surrounding property, the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) hosted a public listening session at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28 at the Passenger Terminal at 136 Concord Street. More than 100 neighbors and business leaders attended to share their input and suggestions, ask questions and learn more about the process and project.
Anyone interested can continue to submit input by emailing us.
Below are materials from the Listening Session:
- Presentation
- Summary
- Breakout Session Notes
- Post and Courier
- Post and Courier Business Review
- Press Release
Kickoff Event – October 8, 2009
On Thursday, October 8, the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) officially began its Union Pier Cruise Terminal planning effort with a public Kickoff Event at the Passenger Terminal. The project involves creating a plan for the Union Pier Cruise Terminal and the surrounding property. Below are materials from the Kickoff Event:
Media Coverage:
176 Concord Street, P.O. Box 22287, Charleston, SC 29413-2287
Telephone: (843) 577-8197 - Fax: (843) 577-8127 - email: bmiller@scspa.com
Contact: Byron D. Miller
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2009
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE PORTS AUTHORITY BEGINS
UNION PIER CRUISE TERMINAL PLANNING
Community residents hear about the project
and opportunities for public input at Kickoff Event
Charleston, SC – The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) began its Union Pier Cruise Terminal planning effort today with a public Kickoff Event at the Passenger Terminal. The project involves creating a plan for the Union Pier Cruise Terminal and the surrounding property. Through an open, collaborative process, the project aims to:
- Create a financially viable Union Pier Cruise Terminal plan that reflects the character and quality of historic Charleston
- Comply with today’s enhanced cruise security requirements
- Identify additional uses of the property for the enjoyment of Charlestonians and betterment of the economy
- Mitigate impacts on existing infrastructure such as traffic, and
- Provide more access to the waterfront.
“The Ports Authority has been thinking about the future needs of the Union Pier Cruise Terminal for some time – this is the right time to move forward,” said SCSPA President and CEO Jim Newsome. “This project has the potential to provide a world-class cruise terminal that conforms to current security requirements, while also enhancing this area of the downtown Charleston waterfront for Charleston residents and our visitors. Throughout the planning process, we encourage the public to be involved by attending public meetings and submitting input through our Web site www.UnionPierPlan.com.”
The noon event was led by Newsome, who spoke about the project and introduced the planning team, including SCSPA project manager Joe Bryant, vice president of terminal development, and Peter Lehman, director of planning and business development. Newsome also recognized Helen Hill, president of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and City of Charleston Mayor Joe Riley.
“We have a great opportunity for the City of Charleston, this region and the entire state to have a cruise terminal that reflects Charleston’s character, creates new economic opportunities and provides more public access to our historic waterfront,” said Mayor Riley. “We look forward to hearing public input, and working with the Ports Authority and its strong planning team.”
SCSPA has brought on Cooper, Robertson & Partners (CRP) to lead an experienced project team and the creation of the Union Pier Cruise Terminal Plan. Jaquelin Robertson, founding partner for CRP, introduced the planning team at the Kickoff Event, which includes:
- Cooper, Robertson & Partners – Master Planner and Team Leader
- Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. – Transportation Consultants
- HR&A Advisors, Inc. – Financial Consultants
- Permar, Inc. – Financial Consultants
- Thomas & Hutton Engineering, Co. – Engineering Consultant
- Bermello Ajamil & Partners – Cruise Industry Consultants
- Rawle Murdy – Community Outreach
Paul Milana, also of CRP, described the four-phase planning process and opportunities for public input. The process will take an estimated four months.
- Phase I – Discovery and Analysis, during which the planning team will study the site and related economic, design, and engineering data.
- Phase II – Listening and Planning, including a public ‘listening session’ currently scheduled for October 28th.
- Phase III – Preliminary Plan, developed and presented to the public for comments and input, currently planned for mid-December.
- Phase IV – Union Pier Cruise Terminal Plan, to be presented to the public, currently planned for late January.
In addition to attending the public meetings, the community is encouraged to visit the Union Pier Cruise Terminal Web site, www.UnionPierPlan.com, for additional information and to submit comments, questions and feedback. More information about the late October public ‘listening session’ will be provided in the coming weeks.
About the South Carolina State Ports Authority:
The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston and Georgetown, handling international commerce valued at more than $62 billion annually and receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. An economic development engine for the state, port operations facilitate 260,800 jobs across South Carolina and nearly $45 billion in economic activity each year.
Staff Report
Published Sept. 15, 2009
The S.C. State Ports Authority has selected an urban design firm to update a plan for nine acres in downtown Charleston that includes the Passenger Terminal.
At its monthly meeting, the SPA board agreed to contract with Cooper, Robertson & Partners for the work.
The work to update the plan is scheduled to be complete by early 2010 and is not to exceed $700,000. Once the plan is completed, the SPA will seek partners interested in developing all or portions of the nine acres.
The update is to the 1996 Union Pier Conceptual Master Plan. The update will serve as a basis for the redevelopment of the Passenger Terminal and surrounding area, the SPA said.
Key elements and considerations of the planning effort will include a public involvement process, zoning recommendations, permitting issues, land uses, traffic management, construction costs, market analysis and financial viability.
The SPA and the city of Charleston are collaborating on the plan to upgrade the Passenger Terminal to meet new security requirements and to better serve cruise ship customers.
A group from the SPA and the city evaluated proposals and recommended Cooper Robertson, a nationally recognized firm with local experience.
The existing Passenger Terminal was built in 1971, but federal security requirements after 9/11 and larger cruise ships visiting Charleston led to the upgrade, SPA officials have said.
