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Chamber begins search for new home
By Rachel Pleasant
Staff Writer
The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce has started the process of looking for a new, and permanent, home.
Earlier this month, the chamber released a request for proposal for new facilities. The RFP says that the chamber has decided to pursue purchase options for their long-term space needs and is soliciting possible solutions. The deadline for responding to the RFP is Sept. 9.
“We announced a year and a half ago, when we moved into our present location, that it was an interim location,” says Charles Van Rysselberge, president and CEO, referring to the chamber’s location at 2750 Speissegger Drive in North Charleston, where the chamber has been located since March 2004.
“Where we are now, we’re leasing space. Our leadership feels it would be in our best interest if we could own our facilities. Just like someone who looks at a residential situation, over the long haul, it’s more cost effective to own.”
Currently, the chamber has 15,000 square feet of space. Van Rysselberge says the chamber needs about 20,000, though the RFP specifies a space between 16,500 and 22,000 square feet.
According to the RFP, the chamber is looking for either Class “B” or better space for its offices and meetings. The chamber also requires at least 40 employee parking spaces and another 100 spaces for visitors within two blocks.
The chamber will consider both existing space and building a new facility.
Jason Murbarger of The Beach Co. is representing the chamber in its search for a new home.
Van Rysselberge says the chamber will consider locations in all areas of Charleston but wants to remain in a central location to its membership.
“We’re looking all over. When we sent out our RFP, we drew a circle around where we are. We’re looking within 10 miles,” he says.
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