Staff Report
Published Oct. 8, 2009

The S.C. State Ports Authority officially kicked off its Union Pier cruise terminal revitalization today with a news conference and a public tour of the site.

“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,” said SPA chief Jim Newsome.

The SPA said its project is aimed at the following:

• Creating a financially viable Union Pier Cruise Terminal plan that reflects the character and quality of historic Charleston.
• Complying with today’s enhanced cruise security requirements.
• Identifying additional uses of the property.
• Mitigating impacts on existing infrastructure such as traffic.
• Providing more access to the waterfront.

“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,” Mayor Joe Riley said.

The SPA has contracted with Cooper, Robertson & Partners to draft a plan for the terminal and surrounding nine acres.

The planning team also includes:

• Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc., transportation consultants.
• HR&A Advisors Inc., financial consultants.
• Bermello Ajamil & Partners, cruise industry consultants.
• Permar Inc., financial consultants.
• Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co., engineering consultant.
• Moffatt & Nichol, engineering consultant.
• Peter Rummel, business consultant.
• Rawle Murdy, community outreach.

Paul Milana, with Cooper, Robertson & Partners, 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 Oct. 28.
• 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 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.