Staff Report
Published Nov. 10, 2011

The city of Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review gave preliminary approval to the S.C. State Ports Authority’s new cruise terminal during its meeting Wednesday night.

The board voted 5-0 for approval, a city spokesman said. Robert DeMarco, Edward Fava, Sheila Wertimer, Erica Harrison and Chris Schmitt voted in favor. Phyllis Ewing abstained, and Chairman Craig Bennett was absent.

“The BAR’s input improved the design, and we’re pleased to be moving forward,” Byron Miller, spokesman for the S.C. State Ports Authority, said in an email. “Only final design details remain — such as colors and handrails — so this was a huge step.”

The vote marks the second round of approval for the design.

The board gave conceptual approval in August but deferred preliminary approval in October, when board members asked designers to improve three of the building’s facades.

Designers reworked some of the plans before Wednesday’s meeting.

Now, the ports authority needs only final approval before beginning construction on Union Pier.

In June, the ports authority volunteered to submit their plans to the board.

“It does not appear that BAR review is required for renovations of an existing building into the new terminal,” Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the ports authority, wrote then in a letter to Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and Charleston City Council. “However, the ports authority is committed to delivering an appropriate building.”