40-acre Redevelopment Project in North Charleston to Include Senior Housing

By Eliza Theiss, Associate Editor

40 acres of land in North Charleston are set for a massive redevelopment, as the City of North Charleston and Chicora Gardens LLC are set to enter a $9.2 million purchase agreement for the land, the city has announced. The developer will conduct due diligence and present a master plan before the North Charleston Planning and Zoning Department.

Envisioned as a planned development district with a sustainable interactive environment, the project is expected to revitalize the area around the former Naval Hospital. The recently unveiled initial mock-ups show a mixed-use project abounding in green spaces such as public parks, gardens, living walls and waterfalls around 20 acres.

The development will target the senior population in the area by building a continuing care community featuring senior apartments, assisted living and hospice services. An office building, bank, library, senior recreational facility, pharmacy, restaurants and medical and dental facilities are also envisioned in the ambitious project, set to rise in the 3600 Rivers Avenue area.

Parking will also be constructed and transportation will be expanded. “Transportation is key,” declared Steve Dudash of Davis & Floyd at a press conference announcing the project.

Chicora Gardens has reportedly tapped local firm Davis & Floyd for engineering, structural analysis, landscaping and design for the park and garden element of the project. According to the Charleston Regional Business Journal, the concept is inspired by New York’s Central park.

The 40-acre tract of land comprises the 23-acre former Naval Hospital property and, according to the Charleston Regional Business Journal, the land where the Shipyard Square shopping center once stood. The latter was purchased and subsequently razed by the city for $4.2 million.

The former Naval Hospital site, made up of the 10-story, 360,000-square-foot main hospital building; an additional three-story structure; barracks; parking; and land totaling 23 acres, was purchased by the city in October 2012 for $2 million via an online auction.

Rick Brownyard  of Mount Pleasant, SC is representing Chicora Gardens.

Photo courtesy of the City of North Charleston