[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
Coastal Zone , Information Center- 4 ' - ' i ': ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I 177 C428 , 1 980 c .2- ;�ri~~~~~~~~5 ~ -'-.- -� -4.'.~��; � i'u _II-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I d-..'i.------- -- wn rl-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~F~F -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~,i 'FF>- Charleston Waterfront Park Master Plan Charleston, South Carolina U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA COASTAL SErVICES CENTER 2234 SCUT H H. SON AVENUE CHARLESION SC 29405-2413 Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Mayor, City of Charleston D. William Wallace, Director Department of Planning and Urban Development Sasaki Associates, Inc. 64 Pleasant Street Watertown, Massachusetts 02172 Urban Design, Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Services Consultant Urban Designers: Property of CSC Lib y Edward Pinckney/Associates, Ltd. P.O. Box 5339 Hilton Head, South Carolina 29928 Jaquelin T. Robertson FAIA AICP 560 5th Avenue, 4th Floor New York, New York 10036 September 1980 , o -q- To X--~ Acknowledgements Partial funding for this study was provided by the Coastal Three public meetings and numerous work sessions with Plains Regional Commission and the City of Charleston. abutters and property owners with an interest in the out- come of the master plan for Charleston Waterfront Park were held. This report was prepared for the City of Charleston, South The design process was an open, public process. The Carolina, Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Mayor. parties mentioned above commented on desired program elements and on numerous and widely varying alterna- tives. The plan selected best reconciles the sometimes Department of Planning and Urban Development, competing concerns of public and private interests. The D. William Wallace, Director following master plan sets forth the intent of the City of Charleston for this portion of the Cooper River waterfront. This report was prepared by: Project Staff: Sasaki Associates, Inc. Watertown, Massachusetts Sasaki Associates, Inc.: Edward Pinckney Associates, Ltd. Kenneth M. Kreutziger, Project Director; Nina Brown, Proj- Hilton Head, South Carolina ect Manager; Stuart O. Dawson, Participating Principal/ Designer; Maurice Freedman, P.E., Participating Principal/ Jaquelin T. Robertson, FAIA AICP Engineer; Leo Mayewski, Transportation; William Rabben, New York, New York 10017 Project Landscape Architect; Ellen Chagnon and Steve Mabee, Environmental Specialists; John Jennings, Construc- tion Costs; Layout and Graphics by Lydia Richardson. The following consultants assisted in the preparation of Edward Pinckney Associates: the report: Edward Pinckney, Landscape Architect; James Tiller, Land- Mr. William Avery Baker - Naval Architect, Historian, scape Architect. Curator, Hart Nautical Museum, Massachusetts Institute of Jaquelin T. Robertson, FAIA/AICP: Technology. Jaquelin T. Robertson, Principal; Christopher T. Glaister, Principal; John Cetra, Senior Urban Designer; Robert Frank Cross, Cross Group, Inc. Ponte, Market Analysis Consultant Matawan, New Jersey Gary Irish Graphics Boston, Massachusetts Lucia Jaycocks, Historian Mount Pleasant, South Carolina The following organizations contributed to the develop- ment of this master plan: Charleston County Library Charleston Library Society City of Charleston Department of Planning and Urban Development City of Charleston Department of Public Works City of Charleston Department of Traffic and Transportation City of Charleston Division of Archives and Records City of Charleston Engineering Division City of Charleston Office of Downtown Revitalization Gibbes Art Gallery Historic Charleston Foundation Parks, Recreation and Tourism South Carolina Coastal Council South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control South Carolina Historical Society South Carolina Land Resources Conservation Commission South Carolina State Ports Authority South Carolina Water Resources Commission South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Tourism Management Committee U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. National Park Service Properties Table of Contents List of Figures and Tables Acknowledgements I. Issues and Considerations 1 Project Objectives 1 Project Area 3 Park Site 4 II. Master Plan Summary 11 Park Elements 11 Construction Sequence 15 Circulation and Parking Plan 18 Critical Development Parcels 18 III. The Park and the Peninsula 19 Existing Conditions on the Peninsula 19 Opportunities and Constraints in the Study Area 30 IV. Circulation and Parking Plan 33 Circulation 33 Parking 33 Recommendations 34 V. Urban Design Guidelines 39 The Cooper River Special District 39 Urban Design Intentions and Character 40 Land Use Objectives 41 Critical Development Parcels 43 Design Controls 53 Landscape Vocabulary 54 Appendices 55 Environmental Considerations 56 Soil Considerations 59 Landscape Vocabulary 66 Bibliography 71 Courtesy Stal sile Courtesy: South Carolina Historical Society List of Figures and Tables Figure V-6, Development Block "B" Figu res: Figure V-7, Development Block "C" Figure V-8, Development Block "D" Chapter I - Issues and Considerations Figure V-9, Development Block F Figure I-1, Study Boundaries Figure V-10, Height Control Policy Figure 1-2, A Lively Landscape of Wharves and Ships, 1872 Appendix Figure 1-3, Edward Crisp Survey, 1704 A. Environmental Considerations Figure 1-4, Map of Charleston, August 1883 1. Tides, Flooding and Storms Figure 1-5, Loading Cotton at Charleston, S.C. (Harper's Figure A-i, Flood Levels Weekly), late 19th century Figure A-2, Sections Showing Flood Levels Figure 1-6, Existing Land Use 2. Marsh, Existing Flora and Fauna Figure 1-7, Long Distance Views Figure A-3, Marsh Assessment Figure 1-8, Tidewater Terminals Figure A-4, Generalized Marsh Profile Figure 1-9, Existing View of Park B. Engineering Considerations Chapter II - Master Plan Summary Figure B-1, Boring Locations Figure 11-1, Master Plan, Charleston Waterfront Park Figure B-2, Borings 1-4 Figure 11-2, Vencdue Wharf Figure B-3, Pilot Boring Program Figure 11-3, Bosque/Lawn C. Landscape Vocabulary Figure 11-4, Concord Street Promenade Figure 11-5, Linear Lawn Figure 11-6, Adger's Wharf Figure 11-7, Palmetto Path Tables: Figure 11-8, Marsh Figure 11-9, Section A-A - Vendue Wharf Chapter II - Master Plan Summary Figure 11-10, Section B-B - Bosque/Lawn Table 11-1, Construction Sequence Figure 11-11, Section C-C - Linear Lawn Chapter IV - Circulation and Parking Plan Figure 11-12, Construction Sequence Table IV-1, Parking Provision within the Project Area Figure 11-13, Circulation and Parking Plan Table IV-2, Projected Parking Provision in Redevelopment Chapter III - The Park and the Peninsula Sites Figure II111-1, Roadway Network Chapter V- Urban Design Guidelines Figure 111-2, Open Space and Street Treatments Table V-1, Development Block "A" - Development Figure 111-3, New Projects Potential Figure 111-4, Urban Design Framework Table V-2, Development Block "E" - Development Figure 111-5, Citywide Landscape Potentials Potential Figure 111-6, Opportunities and Constraints Table V-3, Development Block "B" - Development Chapter IV - Circulation and Parking Potential Figure IV-1, South Adger's and North Adger's Wharf Table V-4, Development Block "C" - Development Streets Potential Figure IV-2, Boyce's Wharf and East Elliott Street Table V-5, Development Block"D"- Development Figure IV-3, Exchange Street Potential Figure IV-4, Middle Atlantic Wharf Street Figure IV-5, North Atlantic Wharf and Cordes Streets Figure IV-6, Gendron and Vendue Range Streets Appendix Figure IV-7, Cone Street Table A-1, Charleston Tide Analysis Figure IV-8, Faber and Cumberland Streets Table A-2, Tide and Flood Levels Figure IV-9, Market Street Figure IV-10, East Bay Street Figure IV-11, Prioleau Street Figure IV-12, Concord Street Chapter V- Urban Design Guidelines Figure V-1, Cooper River Special District Plan Figure V-2, The Charleston House and Lot Figure V-3, Land Use Objectives, Cooper River Park Special District Figure V-4, Development Blocks "A" and "E" Figure V-5, Development Blocks "A" and "E" - Alternate The Roberts View of Charleston Harbor Courtesy: I. N. Phelps Stokes Collection of New York Public Library I. Issues and Considerations American Historical Prints, This report contains a description of the master plan and streets. The houses with their porches and gardens front urban design guidelines for two related areas on the directly on the sidewalks and often line extremely narrow southeastern edge of the Charleston peninsula, Charleston streets. Although these streets were not constructed to Waterfront Park and the blocks immediately to the east of accommodate twentieth century traffic, they are an inte- the park. The construction of this open space and the im- gral part of Charleston's charm. The houses, porches and provements to the sidewalks and streets leading to it will gardens set up a pleasing rhythm of linear openings which increase dramatically the public's access to the Cooper supports the geometry and small scale of the street sys- River. tem. Streetscape, circulation and parking improvements In the past, Charleston's dense shipping activities and must be consistent with this historic vernacular. At the water dependent industries along the Cooper River water- same time, they must contribute to the successful func- front left little room for public recreation. Consequently, tion of the waterfront park, the city's tourism manage- the peninsula's sole waterfront promenade, the Battery, ment strategy, and to a coherent transportation manage- and historic waterfront park, White Point Gardens, have ment plan. Streetscape improvements should also catalyze been heavily used. The rest of the Cooper River water- rehabilitation in the project area's key development front, now used by the State Ports Authority and private parcels. concerns, is often hidden from sight and has been unavail- The city was concerned that development of these va- able for public "leisure" use and access to the water. cant properties be consistent with Charleston's architec- The city recognized that the provision of additional tural rhythm and scale. The massing, height, setbacks, and open space along the waterfront would serve tourists as building materials of new construction should reinforce well as residents, and that the design of the park should the existing pattern. The city included urban design guide- proceed within the context of an integrated effort. Ac- lines as part of this work effort to insure that new build- cordingly, it hired an independent consulting firm to ings fit in with Charleston's historic design forms and prepare a Tourism Impact and Management Plan. Recog- relate appropriately to the waterfront. nizing the current overuse of the Battery area, and its ef- fect on permanent residents of the Old and Historic Project Objectives District, the consultant recommended that tourist-related activities be focused in other areas, especially on the The following list presents the objectives for the eastern section of the peninsula in the vicinity of the Charleston Waterfront Park area: waterfront park. As a result of this study, the National � To assure direct public access to the Cooper River. Park Service agreed to relocate their planned Fort Sumter * To improve and enhance pedestrian connections tour boat facility to the wharf at the end of Cumberland between the downtown, the park, and the Cooper Street. City Council is limiting the number and types of River. activities allowed on the Battery and in White Point Gar- * To accommodate residents and visitors through sen- dens. The City hired Sasaki Associates, Inc., and the sitive design. associated consultants listed in the Acknowledgements * To encourage an appreciation of Charleston's mari- section of this report to plan the park and the redevelop- time history. ment of the blocks adjacent to it as vital components of * To recognize and plan for navigational requirements the city and this tourist management strategy. Not only will the park fulfill the residents' pressing need for addi- T adjacent tons �To preserve and enhance environmental conditions tional open space in the densely developed downtown, in the vicinit of the ark. but it will also give tourists an alternative to White Point * To m p Gardens and the Battery. *~~~~~ To proidiie vehicular traffic adjacent to the park. Gardens and the Battery. *~~~ To provide adequate parking to meet the demand The city also recognized that access to the park, both gequate park, to mer the boat vehicular and pedestrian was important to the successful fated the park, the Port Auth orit function of this open space and its graceful integration in- Maritime Office Building. to its surroundings. As a result, transportation became an Maritine vicenityldingh essential element in this plan. Charleston's dense building To ench isvcopm ent ith cinitof he pattern occurs within the context of a grid pattern of ::~~~~~~~~~~~~~ i~~ ~ ~ ~ ' ~ i~i;~CHARLESTON ~~ HWATERFRONT PARK l0Xl lo=~k~*P t. Ibk1.,y* r C~yo C~e . Study Boundaries ~! i i: iI : iSi:~ i~.~i~!~:~;~[~I~`3:~!~i~:~ !I~/~iiigg Figure 1-1 Sasaki Associatesjnc. 2 design forms and with the park's waterfront loca- . . tion. In Chapter I, we begin our discussion with a review of . ( historical, environmental and engineering considerations .? relevant to the park and project area. Chapter II provides / a summary of the master plan. We return to the park's context in Chapter III and examine existing conditions on the peninsula and opportunities and constraints in the Study Area. This discussion is the basis for the park design and the logic behind the circulation and parking plan and . the urban design guidelines outlined in Chapters IV and V. C Project Area Location The waterfront park site is located in the Old and His- toric District, and is within walking distance of Market and Figure 1-2, A Lively Landscape of Wharves and Ships, 1872 Broad Streets. The park property, shown on Figure I-1, Reproduced from a lithograph in the Library of Congress Study Boundaries, was acquired by the City of Charleston in 1979. It lies along the edge of three distinct parts of After the Civil War, buyers began to purchase cotton at downtown Charleston: the restored residential area con- inland markets and use new and existing rail lines and tra- taining some of the finest examples of eighteenth and ditional waterways to ship it via a northern route to New nineteenth century domestic architecture in the United York or Boston. In 1886, an earthquake struck the Charles- States, a commercial area which includes restaurants and ton peninsula. The areas of fill along the shore and in offices located in restored warehouses left over from the former stream beds "liquified" much faster than natural era of the cotton and rice trade, and another more in- areas. Consequently, the structures in these locations tensely developed commercial area to the north which were severely damaged. However, some merchants rebuilt encompasses the shops along Market Street and the South and remained fairly active until early in the 20th century Carolina State Ports Authority cruise ship terminal. when the introduction of larger ships resulted in most port The master plan includes recommendations for the Proj- traffic shifting northward. The historic docks decayed and ect Area bounded by the blocks on the north side of disappeared, leaving only the buildings on the waterfront. Market Street, East Bay Street, South Adger's Wharf Street Although some commission and forwarding merchants to the south and extending east into the Cooper River to and freight insurers still do business in the area, many the pierhead line. These recommendations cover park de- owners and tenants abandoned their buildings. In recent sign, circulation, parking and urban design guidelines for years, however, offices and restaurants have been moving critical development parcels. into the area. Most of the historic area has been restored south of Calhoun Street, but some revitalization is still History needed in the Cooper River waterfront district. Numerous vacant lots still exist which, at the present time, are used Thus far, there has been little recognition of Charleston's for parking cars, detracting from the area's appearance past mportnce a a pot andeconoic ceter i thefor parking cars, detracting from the area's appearance past importance as a port and economic center in the 18th and early 19th centuries*. The waterfront park site is and slowing rehabilitation. in the vicinity of what was once a lively landscape of Redevelopment Opportunities wharves and ships. (See Figure 1-2) wharves and ships. (See Figure 1- 2 )The redevelopment of these vacant lots presents a Early development on the Charleston peninsula was con- The redevelopment of these vacant lots presents a tained within fortified walls on the west bank of the tremendous opportunity for the people of Charleston. Cooper River. Edward Crisp prepared the earliest re-neddpbioensaenthdwtwnndulc Cooper River. Edward Crisp prepared the earliest re- First, the park site, when developed, will provide sorely corded survey in 1704. The fortified wall in this map is needed public open space in the downtown and public now the eastern edge of East Bay Street (See Figure 1-3) A access to the Cooper River. Second, streetscape improve- dense building pattern evolved and continued throughout ments such as widened sidewalks and new street trees in dense building pattern evolved and continued throughout tePoetAe ilehnetewligeprec e the 18th and 19th centuries, leaving little open space. As the Project Area will enhance the walking experience be- the peninsula was filled and expanded over time, this pat- tern was repeated in each successive wharfscape. The Cooper River waterfront was no exception. (See Figure 1-4) Beginning in the 1700's, a significant portion of America's cotton and rice trade was conducted in the port of Charleston. Over the years, trade in these and other com- modities made Charleston one of the South's and the na- tion's leading ports, and, accordingly, during the 18th and 19th centuries, a large number of warehouses, offices and residences sprang up along the west bank of the Cooper River. The 19th century engraving from Harper's Weekly (Figure 1-5) shows horses and carts carrying cotton to the *This information is based upon the National Register of Historic Places ships. Inventory - Nomination Form, Factors and Commission Merchants Historic District prepared by the City of Charleston. 3 7'4;"?'~m;;;':5;;',~jtiT 1~ l,[~~ ~ ,~ ;;;?~Y tween the planned hotel on Meeting Street, the Market ** I;te . . : ,1 Street shops, the Customs House, the National Park Ser- .,... r~~ .'a~ ivice's Fort Sumter tour boat facility and the park, and will ~tl~.~.: 7, i ireinforce the city's pleasant walking environment. Third, =': (I~~~%,,, ,~, ;Ba ~ �. ~the vacant properties adjacent to the park site can be �::j�~ f~~~ ~~~ ~~developed to reinforce the area's current small scale ( residential and commercial character. Park Site " 9-: i The park site has approximately 1280 feet of frontage along Concord Street between the South Carolina State Ports Authority Maritime Office Building and Adger's P Wharf Park. The property includes 12 acres of land and water (See Figure 1-6). It commands views of the Cooper River, Charleston Harbor and the entrance from the Atlan- tic Ocean, Castle Pinckney, the U.S.S. Yorktown at Patriot's Point and Fort Sumter (See Figure 1-7, Long Distance Views). ~8i ~Offshore stand the partially charred remains of pilings. They supported the wharves of Tidewater Terminals, Inc. ~~~~ '~? '~.~,~ ~~~~~~until they were destroyed by fire in June of 1955 (See Fig- ure 1-8). Tidal flats, low salt marsh and high marsh consti- tute the park site's eastern periphery (See Figure 1-9). . r;~ ~~~~~~~~ i!? Water from a storm sewer flows out from under Concord Street in a small channel in the southern half of the marsh at the termination of Exchange Street. Five parking areas are constructed over fill along the waterside of Concord Street. The fill consists of sand, rock, brick, gravel and ��"�~.~~~ t.~~~~~-~~~ ~trash. Figure 1-3, Edward Crisp Survey, 1704 Environmental Considerations The park's locati'on on the tidal, salt water portion of the Cooper River is both an opportunity and a constraint. The river adds tremendous interest to the park. Boats of all sizes pass by on their way in and out of the harbor. Many species of birds pause in the water offshore. The marine environment provides a habitat for molluscs, shellfish and fish. At the same time, tides, flooding, storms and the salt marsh add a certain complexity to the development of HARPER'S WEEIKLY. [I'19, it,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ft Figure 1-5, Loading Cotton at Charleston, S.C. (Harper's Weekly), late 19th century Figure I-4, Map of Charleston, August 1883 4 - ~~~~~~~~~ / I ~~~~~~~~~~~COOPER RIVER WATERFRONT PARK -71~~~~~~~~ Existing Land Use ~~ ~/ . I Figure 1-6 Sasaki Assoclates~kc. the plant after bacterial decomposition, is a major food source for marine zooplankton (minute animals and larval stages of fish and shellfish) and adult shellfish and fish. Saltmarshes also provide shelter and nursery areas for fish and shellfish, making their presence valuable to the recreational and commercial fishing industries. Both birds and mammals frequent saltmarshes for food and shelter. Many species of marine birds nest in saltmarshes. Park Site \ Figure 1-8, Tidewater Terminals Figure 1-7, Long Distance Views Figure -8, Tidewater Terminals the park. Only 3.7 acres are above the extent of spring Saltmarshes function as buffers between adjacent upland high tide. areas and the ocean. During coastal storms, saltmarshes Tides, Flooding, Storms absorb and dissipate the energy of waves, preventing At present, the highest land in the park is at 6.5 feet storm damage to the uplands. They also function as tidal NCVD (National Geodetic Vertical Datum) and most of buffers, slowing and absorbing incoming tidewater and the land is at an elevation of 5.3. The site is extremely releasing it at slower rates, thus reducing coastal erosion. susceptible to flooding. Water heights under different Stormwater runoff from developed areas is filtered by ad- storm conditions and tides range between an average jacent saltmarshes. These living filters absorb nutrients and high tide of 3.7 to a 25 year flood of 7.0. In Appendix A, break down pollutants thus decreasing the impact of the The Tide and Flood Levels table, the Flood Levels map runoff on coastal waters. and the accompanying sections show the projected extent Although extensive saltmarsh exists nearby, one of the of different flood levels on the project area. Almost the few remaining pieces of saltmarsh on the Charleston entire park site is inundated by a 10 year frequency flood peninsula is present on the park site. Any dredging or fill- at an elevation of 5.8. Plant material and park construc- ing within these marsh areas will necessitate a joint ap- tion must be able to coexist with somewhat formidable plication to the South Carolina Coastal Council and the coastal forces: hurricanes, flooding, salt spray and wind. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. See Appendix A for ad- Raising the level of certain portions of the park will ditional information about the marsh and permitting reduce the frequency of flooding and increase the procedure. likelihood of plant material survival. Marsh, Existing Flora and Fauna Engineering Considerations Only 3.7 acres of the park can be considered upland, Geology/Soils/Foundations which, in this case, is land at an elevation above the ex- As is common with many city harbors along the eastern tent of spring high tide. The majority of this acreage is coast of the United States, Charleston Harbor is located in subject to the 10 year flood. The rest of the site consists a river estuary and contains thick deposits of highly com- of approximately one acre of high marsh, three and a half pressible, low-strength, organic clay. Two critical design acres of low marsh, almost four acres of tidal flat, and issues arise from such poor soil conditions: slope stability several acres of open water. and settlement potential. Consequently, subsurface and All coastal saltmarshes (334,500 acres) in the state are geotechnical data are especially important to the suc- under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina Coastal Coun- cessful development of the park master plan. cil (SCCC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These These three steps are necessary to incorporate ecologically fragile areas are very productive components geotechnical input into a waterfront project of this of the marine food web. Saltmarsh cordgrass, the domi- magnitude: nant vegetation in the marsh, is a highly productive plant 1) obtaining all existing subsurface boring, geologic that, upon its death and decay, provides detritus to the and testing data in or adjacent to the park site to marine environment. Detritus, the breakdown product of develop a general overview of the existing soil and 6 �~~~~~~~~~~ Figure 1-9 Existing View of Park foundation conditions. (This information is useful in 0 Construct all heavy structures on piles and drive to identifying major park design issues, cost implica- depths in excess of 50 feet. tions, and physical site constraints); * Minimize hard surfaces to reduce maintenance costs 2) initiating a program of pilot borings and tests after for settlement damage in fill areas. the preferred park design program is established 9 Minimize filling to reduce excessive settlements. and when detailed design and cost estimates are * Provide graded edges to the shore to reduce both necessary (The resulting data test the geotechnical settlement and slope failure potential. feasibility and cost implications of such specific , Use vertical edges to reduce erosion and soil load- engineering features as retaining walls, riprap and ing and enhance slope stability. bulkheading), and * Conduct supplemental borings prior to final design. 3) conducting a program of design borings at the ex- WtrSwrSomDang act location of individual structural elements prior WtrSwrSomDang to final design and completion of construction The current water system consists of cast iron piping in- documents. stalled in the 1880's and cleaned and relined in the The first step is already complete. Borings and geologic 1930's. The pressures in the lines range from 30 psi in the data suggest that the area consists of four major soil units: summer to 45 psi in the winter. The criteria for a water fill, organic clay, sand, and marl (Cooper Formation). (See supply system should be the minimum pressures needed Appendix B) The preliminary subsurface data indicate the for adequate fire suppression. Depending on the pressure presence of thick deposits of highly-compressible low- needs for operation of the irrigation system, a standpipe strength, organic clay characteristic of river estuaries. The or reservoir system with a pump may be required. Corn- two critical design issues, slope stability and settlement plementary development may require greater pressures. potential, are important considerations in the develop- The Department of Health and Environmental Control in ment of the park design, specifically in the feasibility of Columbia regulates permitting of major sewer and water filling, bulkheading and/or rip rap. line extensions and issues water quality certificates for 404 To resolve these design issues, a pilot boring program permitting. This agency is concerned with water quality was implemented in May 1980 to conduct an initial field during and after construction. investigation, sampling and lab testing program. The fol- Water quality certification will be granted or denied lowing recommendations and conclusions are based on within 15 days after public notice is made in local the preliminary analysis (Step 1) and the initial pilot study newspapers by the South Carolina Coastal Council and results and are subject to change as more data become the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. available: The sewer system was installed in the 1930's and can � iilE ,, ,',,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~7 ':7~~ ,~ Figure~ ~~~ !~!~xsig iwofPr ietFyingumjrprk esg I-9, Exist ipia etsing Vewc of Parket tions, and physical site constraints); � Minimize hard surfaces to reduce maintenance costs 2) initiating a program of pilot borings and tests after for settlement damage in fill areas. the preferred park design program is established � Minimize filling to reduce excessive settlements. and when detailed design and cost estimates are � Provide graded edges to the shore to reduce both necessary (The resulting data test the geotechnical settlement and slope failure potential. feasibility and cost implications of such specific � Use vertical edges to reduce erosion and soil load- engineering features as retaining walls, riprap and ing and enhance slope stability. bulkheading), and ~~~~~~~� Conduct supplemental borings prior to final design. 3) conducting a program of design borings at the ex- act location of individual structural elements prior Wtr~wrSomDang to final design and completion of construction The current water system consists of cast iron piping in- documents. stalled in the 1880%s and cleaned and relined in the The first step is already complete. Borings and geologic 1930's. The pressures in the lines range from 30 psi in the data suggest that the area consists of four major soil units: summer to 45 psi in the winter. The criteria for a water fill, organic clay, sand, and marl (Cooper Formation). (See supply system should be the minimum pressures needed Appendix B) The preliminary subsurface data indicate the for adequate fire suppression. Depending on the pressure presence of thick deposits of highly~compressible low- needs for operation of the irrigation system, a standpipe strength, organic clay characteristic of river estuaries. The or reservoir system with a pump may be required. Com- two critical design issues, slope stability and settlement plementary development may require greater pressures. potential, are important considerations in the develop- The Department of Health and Environmental Control in ment of the park design, specifically in the feasibility of Columbia regulates permitting of major sewer and water filling, bulkheading and/or rip rap. line extensions and issues water quality certificates for 404 To resolve these design issues, a pilot boring program permitting. This agency is concerned with water quality was implemented in May 1980 to conduct an initial field during and after construction. investigation, sampling and lab testing program. The fol- Water quality certification will be granted or denied lowing recommendations and conclusions are based on within 15 days after public notice is made in local the preliminary analysis (Step 1) and the initial pilot study newspapers by the South Carolina Coastal Council and results and are subject to change as more data become the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. available: The sewer system was installed in the 1930%s and can accommodate new development without difficulty. During high tides and intense rainfall, low areas such as the Project Area are prone to flooding. The current storm drainage system has difficulty in such situations. However, storm drainage in the park can be adequately handled. 12-inch and 24-inch storm drains are available along Market Street for use in complementary development. 8 Rainbow Row 4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Figure Il-i, Master Plan, Charleston WaterfrontCPark io Fiue 11 Mse PaChreso atrrntPr Master Plan Figure 11-2, Vendue Wharf the north-south connection to the Battery. Features at dif- II. Master Plan Summary ferent elevations are provided to give the park visitor the opportunity to view the city and the river from the same To find a form for the park which would be appropriate variety of vantage points available on the waterfront in to the geometry of its setting, the design team looked at the past. the form of both the historic and the existing context - The master plan for Charleston Waterfront Park is pre- the water's edge and the city itself. Before the peninsula sented in Figure lI-1. The upland portion of the park site is was settled, it was bordered by marsh. As Charleston expanded somewhat and filled to an elevation above that grew, its residents filled the marshes, made land and built of the 25-year flood level. The high marsh is lowered to wharves. Old maps of the park area, some of which were the elevation of the low marsh, the low marsh is extend- in Chapter I, show wharves extending into the Cooper ed in a linear band almost the entire length of the park, River like an asymmetrical, castellated castle wall. Further and a channel separates this band from the "marsh south, the Battery consisted of a series of tangents con- island". taining the curves of the lower peninsula. The curvilinear edge of the park and the marsh is rein- After Tidewater Terminals burned, dredging ceased, sed- forced to withstand natural forces. Banks of oyster shells, imentation raised the level of the river bottom and the imentation raised the level of the river bottom and the "oyster rakes" stabilize the edge of the marsh and water. marsh began to re-establish itself at the base of the pilings and along the shore. It now forms a loose curvilinear band Park Elements and a rectilinear projection between the upland portion of the park site and the Cooper River. The park has seven elements: Vendue Wharf, the wide In plan, the Battery, the marsh and the few remaining bosque/lawn, the linear lawn, Concord Street promenade, In plan, the Battery, the marsh and the few remaining Adger's Wharf, the palmetto path, and the marsh. wharves provide the existing form along the water's edge. Adgers Wharf, the palmetto path, and the marsh. East-west streets connect the Cooper River waterfront to Vendue Wharf the peninsula's grid of streets. Vendue Wharf and the adjacent plaza constitute the In elevation, the peninsula is low and flat. The old ware- most important entrance to the park and its northern houses, wharves and the Battery were built a few feet boundary (See Figure 11-2). The pedestrian on Queen/Ven- above the elevation of high tide. Today, the park site of- due Range will first become aware of the waterfront park fers two basic elevational differences, the marsh and the when he sees a tower silhouetted against the Cooper upland area. In the past, the different elevations of wharf River. Steps and a ramp will take him up from Concord and building offered a variety of views of the river and Street to the plaza and the wharf. The plaza offers an op- Charleston's rooftops and steeples. portunity for performances by small groups of musicians Major formal elements in the design of the park are a or actors, but does not look like an empty stage when curvilinear, yet geometrical edge, a new wharf extending performances are not in progress. Steps lead the visitor out into the Cooper River, and the marsh, preserved and down to the water on the eastern edge of the plaza. The reshaped to establish a form closer to that usually occur- bottom step is 10"-12" above the level of the average ring in nature. These forms reflect the historical prece- high tide to avoid the accumulation of mud and growth of dents described above. In addition, the path system of the barnacles. The river bottom adjacent to the lowest step park ties into the east-west connections to the city and to can be covered with old oyster shells so that it can be walked on with bare feet and present an aesthetic edge. 11 Figure 11-3, Bosque/Lawn Vendue Wharf offers several different kinds of oppor- the wide, flat, curvilinear Cooper River. The pedestrian tunities to enjoy the river. The shelters on the wharf pro- leaves the narrowness of Cordes Street, passes through vide shade, benches and swings. They line up with the the more spaciously proportioned bosque, and arrives at buildings on the northern edge of Vendue Range and ex- the open lawns. The line of palmettos along the western tend the east-west axis of the street out into the river. At edge of the promenade is the last vertical element before the wharf's end, wooden steps descend to a deck which the river engages the complete attention of the park serves as a water walk, fishing pier and protective break- visitor. This part of the park ends along the axis of Ex- water for boats moored in the NPS "water room" to the change Street, the second most important park entrance. north. Owners of small pleasure craft can moor their boats along the northern face of Vendue Wharf on an Concord Street Promenade hourly basis while they eat a meal or tour downtown. A promenade raised above the existing Concord Street Bosque/Law,. n ~~~~~~~~right-of-way runs the length of the park, extending north- ward past the Ports Authority Maritime Office Building When the pedestrian enters the park via the steps at the (See Figure 11-4). Its width increases adjacent to the devel- end of Vendue Range, he has a choice between walking opment parcel fronting on the park between Vendue out along the wharf or passing into the bosque (See Fig- Range and Middle Atlantic Wharf Streets. Traffic on Con- ure 11-3). A series of five pools partially connected by a cord Street is rerouted along Prioleau Street around the narrow water channel runs below the trees and contrib- future development parcels. Consequently, the park area utes to a sense of coolness and shade in the bosque. Two can extend inland across a segment of the existing right- rows of benches border the pools. A visitor, standing by of-way. the central fountain, has a view of the Cooper River, fil- Closing this portion of Concord Street and raising it tered first through a grove of trees and then a line of several feet above its existing elevation accomplishes palmettos, over the marsh and past the piles. several things. It strengthens the Concord Street pedestri- The bosque, lawns and palmetto promenade provide a an promenade, separates cars from pedestrians, and tight- transition from east to west between the small scale, for- ens the relationship between the city and the park. The mal spaces of the Charleston grid pattern of streets and elimination of the automobile adjacent to the bosque/lawn 12 Figure 11-4, Concord Street Promenade contributes to an atmosphere of peace and quiet in the park. It also raises the visitor's eye level and, in this way, improves the angle of his view across the river. Emergen- b ': Q cy access is preserved along the Concord Street right-of- , way by ramps at either end. Linear Lawn To the south, across Concord Street from the residential neighborhood, the park consists of a narrow linear lawn and a path parallel to Concord Street (See Figure 11-5). This part of the park can accommodate only a limited number of people. Its reduced scale is appropriate to the small A \ ,,//); rk,,A, scale of the houses and streets in its vicinity. Concord Street is narrowed and open to vehicular traffic along this portion of the park to provide convenient vehicular access at a residential scale for the neighborhood. On-street parking is provided on the eastern side of the street. 4 ,,,.'--"' '~ Figure 11-6, Adger's Wharf Adger's to Vendue Wharf (See Figure 11-7). The architec- tural use of the palmettos is intended to add visual - --,a .~strength to the park edge. The pedestrian is offered a mi,~:~'~ - ~ ~'.,...T~ * '"' .variety of views as he moves north, first narrow marsh in the foreground, then extensive marsh and pilings in the f'" .. ... distance, and finally Vendue Wharf and the observation ....I -I~~~~~ ~ ,,,~ ,, ,/~ , /-tower. The widely spaced palmettos with their narrow Figure 11-5, Linear Lawn form will allow wide views of the river. The views change with the tides, presence of shore birds, boats and fisher- men, weather and seasons. Palmettos are able to tolerate more salt spray than most Adger's Wharf tree species and can be transplanted at a relatively large size. These two qualities reduce the chances of missing or On Adger's Wharf, an open shelter deck provides shade unevenly sized trees over the years. and recreation space for the adjacent residential neighbor- hood (See Figure 11-6). The rest of the wharf is paved. Old Marsh fashioned porch swings in the shelter provide a desirable way to pause and enjoy the view. This is the southern The marsh runs in a narrow strip from the south to the way to pause and enjoy the view. This is the southern north. A channel separates a marsh island from the main- edge of the park, a vantage point for a northern view of north. A channel separates a marsh island from the main- river, marsh, and park. This area is considerably less such as gulls, ducks, terns and will provide a habitat for river, marsh, and park. This area is considerably less land (See Figure 11-8). The marsh will attract shorebirds public than the bosquellawn. It is a space for quiet unin such as gulls, ducks, terns and will provide a habitat for terrpublic than the bosquelawn. It ispted observation of the for quiet unin- molluscs. The adjacent tidal flat hosts snails, clams and crabs (see Appendix A for information about the marsh). Palmetto Path The natural saltmarsh environment and its fragile nature are respected in the park design. The marsh will add in- A path lined with palmettos on its water side connects terest to the park and can be used as an educational re- Figure 11-7, Palmetto Path source for visitors. The proximity of the marsh to the pro- posed fishing pier should enhance fishing and, at the ,, same time, enforce the fact that saltmarsh production is i important to fisheries. Some of the vertical pilings will be ti retained to attract birds. The horizontal members will be /?// removed. The following three sections illustrate the design con- cepts in a schematic way (See Figures 11-9, 11-10, and 11-11). Figure 11-8, Marsh Concord Street Entry Plaza Walk to Water Performance Area Steps to Water Pier Figure 11-9, Section A-A - Vendue Wharf Arcade Promenade Tree Bosque Lawn Grove Palmetto Path Development Block A Fountain Benches and Flowering Shrubs Sloped Stone Edging Marsh Figure 11-10, Section B-B - Bosque/Lawn 14 Construction Sequence date the more stable all the rigid surfaces will be within the park. Once the area is pre-loaded, the surface can be The park will be constructed in steps over a period of used for temporary parking while settlement is taking several years with major completion occurring in 1983. place. For simplicity's sake, the costs for pre-loading are Dedication can occur during the Spoleto Festival to honor all included under step 1. the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of Charleston. An appropriate addition to this celebration would be the February 1982-April 1982 arrival of the "tall ships". The following table catalogues the costs for the five Construction of Vendue Wharf should proceed next, ac- steps in the construction sequence and the total cost for companied by a second dredging. the completed park. Figure 11-12Construction Sequence, il- lustrates the portions of the park built in each step. January 1982-January 1983 The figures used are based on 1980 costs. Given the After the pre-loading operation is complete, the edge schematic nature of the design, the estimate is rough and can be constructed. The southern portion of the park, will be refined in the next phase of the work. Costs do Adger's Wharf and the linear lawn can be developed. not cover the realignment of Concord Street, streetscape improvements for east-west streets, or the relocation of January 1983-June 1983 utilities. The relocation of Concord Street and the surface im- February 1981-February 1982 provements can be accomplished now that the edge and Initial dredging should occur prior to construction of the southern portion of the park are complete. The work Vendue Wharf. In addition, the preloading necessary to will begin with the application of lightweight fill to the stabilize the site should begin at the outset of the project. site. The material used to pre-load will be moved and re-used during the construction sequence in approximately six month intervals. The longer the area has to pre-consoli- .'= . Seating Public Boat Landing Viewing Tower Fishing CooperRier Concord Street Walk Stone Edging Marsh Cooper River Channel Island Cooper River Figure 1-11, Section C-C - Linear Lawn 15 � i I ~~~~, :J. -:- ILZA structed). (t . _ ' Zone of lightweight fill. Minimal consolidation desired due take place in thi s zone). Figure 11-12a. Construction Sequence - Probable Fill and Preloading Schedule. TABLE 11-1 .1 I -rk ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~*1~~~Park * Dredging and Pile Removal 277,250 Steps 1 65,000 "-.Salt Marsh Revegetation 20,000 Zone of preloading (Preloading begins in Step One and470,000 30 Per cnt Continues through Step Three when the edge is con-2,411,715 16 Zone of lightweight fill. Minimal consolidation desired due to utilities underlying the area. (Lightweight fill is placed in Step Five. During Steps One through Four, parking can take place in this zone). Figure l1-12a. Construction Sequence - Probable Fill and Preloading Schedule. TABLE I1-1 CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE Charleston Waterfront Park Master Plan Completed Park PARK IMPROVEMENTS: Dredging and Pile Removal 277,250 Preloading Surcharge 926,880 Edge Treatment 336,000 Wharf Development 1,536,990 Steps 165,000 Salt Marsh Revegetation 20,000 Concord Street Edge Development 292,250 Street Planting and Rehabilitation 495,000 Pedestrian Walks, Lighting, Site Furniture, etc. 2,177,200 Viewpoints, Amphitheaters, Fountains, Sculpture 470,000 Architecture 1,080,000 Planting and Irrigation 262,480 Subtotal 8,039,050 30 Percent Contingency and Fees 2,411,715 TOTAL 10,450.765 16 Step Two: Vendue Wharf Step Three: Adger's Wharf/Linear Lawn Step Four: Concord Street Realignment (Roadway work not included in costs). "'.~ Step Five: Bosque/Lawn ~ Figure 11-12b. Construction Sequence, Probable Schedule for Park Elements. 1 2 3 4 5 Dredging/ Vendue Adger's Wharf/ Concord Street Bosque/ Preloading Wharf Linear Lawn Realignment Lawn 227,250 50,000 610,380 316,500 336,00 0 1,536,990 165,000 20,000 15,750 155,750 120,750 - 495,000 - 562,500 1,614,700 210,000 260,000 930,000 150,000 - 155,030 107,450 837,630 2,532,740 1,754,280 495,000 2,419,400 251,289 759,822 526,284 � 148,500 725,820 1,088,919 3,292,562 2,280,564 643,500 3,145,220 17 ~~~~~~~~Lt~~~~wul--sJ ~---~c~- � ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a ~~B E' ~~i ~ CF~~l~f~~ ~ ~t~~-l~ --." -r~mr'm L.....J Sep To: VndueWhar 227,25 50,000du Wa 610,38 316,500r tee eainmn Rodayw not included in 336,000 17 * *....... Figure 11-13, Circulation and Parking Plan Circulation and Parking Plan The design of the park calls for the closing of a portion * of Concord Street. The existing forty-foot roadway of Con- i cord Street is out-of-scale with the rest of this part of the peninsula and with the proposed park. In order to im- , 4o0oo* 0o prove the transition from the city's dense building pattern to the open river, and to minimize vehicular traffic adja- As a -"- cent to the park, Concord Street will be narrowed and paved in a special way from South Adger's Wharf to Mid- 1 p ~,-~[' cn o, Yf die Atlantic Wharf, closed from Middle Atlantic Wharf to PI Vencue Range and narrowed from Vencue Range to Specific recommendations for circulation and parking im- dprovements in the Project Area are discussed in Chapter aligned to carry the traffic from Concord Street to Vendue IV Circulation and Parking Plan. Range. New development along Prioleau Street's eastern frontage (Development Block A) will be arcaded to pro- vide an attractive, protected pedestrian environment. Critical Development Parcels In order to improve existing pedestrian links and to en- The six important development parcels in the project courage foot traffic between the downtown and the park, area are shown on the master plan (See Figure 11-1). Some three streets (Market, Queen/Vendue Range and Broad/Ex- have potential for residential use, others for commercial change) are design ated as the most important pedestrian or parking, and some for combinations of all three. They links f rom t he downtown city e nter to the park. Land- are shown on the illustrative plan. Objectives for their use scaping the intersections of East Bay with the se thre e east/ and specific design guidelines for their development are west gateway streets will provide visual clues to the park's discussed in Chapter V, Urban Desi gn Guidelines. existence. Segments of Cordes and North Atlantic Streets can become pedestrian walkways closed to traffic. In ord er to minim ize vehicular traffic adjacent to the park, f ou r pa rking fac ilities are suggest ed for the project area. The construction of the p ark and the development of the existing parking lots will eliminate off-street parking and displace som e of the on-street parking spaces. The parking structu res will accommo dat e replacement parking and respond partially to future parking demand (See Fig- ure 11-13 for a diagram of the Circulation and P arking Plan). 18 18g.Nwdvlpetaog roeuSre' atr Courtesy: South Carolina Historical Society Ill. The Park and the and contemplated improvements, comment on the im- D enins~ |pact of park-related development, circulation and parking Peninsula improvements on the rest of downtown, and suggest op- . .=,; .........rfo e s Existing Conditions on the Peninsulartunities for futorical Society The architectural and urban design character of the Circulation and Parking Systems Charleston peninsula - from the larger order of the whoarle three-dimensional system - fr om the largspecifi or details of the The existing roadway network within the peninsula area whe individual parts of the system the specific d etails and forms a strong grid pattern running parallel and perpen- the individual parts of the system, the buildings and dicular to the length of the peninsula. U.S. Route 17, lo- streets, and gardens - forms a powerful existing context. cular to the length of the peninsula. U.S. Route 17, lo- This setting should control (to a greater extent than cated in the northern half of the peninsula, is the primary route providing access to the city from the east and west. changing architectural fashion) the design of new build- Interstate providing acces to the city from the east and west. ings, the waterfront park, and other open spaces in its Interstate 26 which terminates at e 17 provides a- vicinity. Charleston is a place where jarring new scales, cess to Columbia as well as Interstate 20 and 95. trendy design gimmicks, inappropriate materials, unor- Principal north/south roadways, Meeting, King, Comings/ thodox site disposition, massing or landscape treatments Phillip, Ashley/Rutledge, Lockwood Drive, East Bay, and seem "out-of-place". Like Bath, England, and Savannah, Morrison Drive, provide access to the downtown proper. Georgia, the tip of this peninsula is one of the world's Lockwood Drive and East Bay Street connect U.S. Route most valuable and sophisticated lived-in urban environ- 17 to the peninsula along the eastern and western water- ments. New buildings and places here must be under- fronts. East Bay Street, adjacent to the Project Area, ac- taken with extreme caution. Not only is architectural ex- commodates a high north-south truck/goods movement cellence important, but also an overriding urban design demand generated by the shipping and industrial uses view is necessary - an understanding not just of buildings along the Cooper River waterfront. Major east/west road- and history, but of their relationship to one another, of ways include: Cannon/Spring, Beaufain/Wentworth, everything together, how Charleston looks and works, Calhoun, and Broad. and how it can, in increments, evolve, change and yet re- Typically, in an urban area, the roadway network can be tain its charm. stratified into three categories of roadways: primary, sec- In order to produce a master plan and urban design ondary, and tertiary. Figure II111-1, Roadway Network, illus- guidelines appropriate to Charleston, we reviewed the trates the configuration of these arterials, collectors and park's position in the peninsula. We looked at the disposi- local streets on the Charleston peninsula. In accordance tion and function of existing roadways, transit routes, with their ranking, they handle varying volumes of traffic. open spaces and street treatments of the downtown area Many of the roadways classified as primary are inadequate south of Route 17. We investigated the projects currently in terms of pavement width and carrying capacity. There- underway and in the planning stages. In the area within fore, one-way couplets have been created. Secondary, or the immediate vicinity of the proposed park, existing park- collector roadways, appear to be lacking throughout the ing and goods movements were evaluated. In this chap- entire network. In essence, travel in and out of the penin- ter, we summarize our findings about existing conditions sula area is made directly between the primary and tertia- ry roadway system. While no major roadway improvements are scheduled some of the demands, a municipal garage is being con- for construction within the near future, a number of minor structed at the intersection of Meeting Street and Cumber- improvements are under consideration. Proposed for im- land Street. While this facility will satisfy some of the provement as a pedestrian/transit roadway from which existing demand, it cannot provide for future demand re- automobile traffic is to be excluded is a section of King sulting from the renovation and construction of facilities Street between Calhoun and Market Street. The.Meeting- which either provide new employment or attract addi- King Street corridor is under study by a traffic consultant tional tourists in the Project Area. retained by the city. Within the Project Area, one of the predominant land Mass transit in the City of Charleston is provided by the uses is parking for both public and private facilities. South Carolina Electric and Gas Company (SCE&C). This Numerous field observations indicate that the major por- system primarily services regional travel between the tion of parkers during the non-tourist season absorb near- Charleston peninsula and the outlying urban community. ly all available space. Furthermore, the final destination of The network of ten radially oriented routes focuses on the parkers appears to be one to two blocks west of East the central area with service concentrated on a few Bay Street. Naturally, any improvements here not only primary roadways (East Bay, Meeting, King and Broad must accommodate increased demands for parking, but Streets) in the vicinity of the site. This route system has also must provide for replacement facilities. not changed significantly in the past few years. Owing to the physical construction of the residential and A shuttle service, known as DASH, is operated by the non-residential buildings in the Project Area, the move- City of Charleston through the Department of Traffic and ment of goods and solid waste removal takes place on Transportation. This system provides an internal loop nearly every roadway. Plans to enhance the walking ex- within the peninsula and adds to the flexibility of the pub- perience by widening sidewalks, planting street trees, nar- lic transit system. It traverses Meeting and Market Streets rowing roadways and closing streets to vehicular traffic, in the vicinity of the site. must include provisions for goods movement and solid Sightseeing and tour buses accommodate much of the waste removal. demand created by tourists. Horse-drawn carriages pro- vide another means of sightseeing for a relatively small number of people. Carriages are stored on Hayne Street in the block bounded by Market, Church, Pinckney and Meeting Streets. It has been estimated that approximately 12,000 to 15,000 tourists visit the downtown on an average summer weekday. Most of the tourist attractions lie south of Cal- houn Street in the restored residential area and the city center, an area with a year-round population of approxi- mately 10,000 persons. The number of tourists in compar- ison to the native population is large. The Cooper River waterfront, located within the boun- daries of this tourist area, is serviced, to some extent, by the existing transit system. The existing SCE&G bus system provides service on East Bay Street, a short walk from the proposed park. The DASH shuttle presently stops at the intersection of East Bay and Market Streets. Sightseeing vehicles and tour buses naturally traverse the site on Con- cord Street. The City has engaged a traffic consultant, to prepare a central area transit study. This study, now in its~ draft form, contains major transit improvement recommendations. In conjunction with the transit study, two separate surveys were completed and internal travel data were compiled. The report indicates that a high percentage of the travel desires of the primary and secondary internal travel markets terminate on the Cooper River Waterfront. There is some question as to the interpretation of this desire in that the waterfront area is one of the major automobile parking facilities (mode transfer point) in the city. It is assumed that the traffic consultant was charged with only the evaluation of the year-round transit system. As such, a critical element has not been interfaced with the system - tourist demands. With an anticipated in- crease in tourism and the future impact of the supply and cost of fuel, a detailed study and analysis of tourist demands becomes essential. Parking demands and supplies appear to be a major problem throughout the central area. In order to meet 20 - I CHARLESTON WATERFRONT ?ARK J--"h P. kwn W.-Y.'CO . 1 CWL".n Roadway Network Figure IIl-1 1 Associatesklc 21 Open Space and Street Treatments There are few public open spaces on the Charleston peninsula. Marion Square, the Hazel Parker Playground, White Point Gardens, the Battery, Moultrie Park and the Colonial Lake must satisfy the recreation needs of the 10,000 peninsula residents south of Calhoun Street, Charlestonians from outlying areas and the seasonal influx of tourists. Although Charleston is famous for its gardens, its road- ways are, for the most part, devoid of vegetation. Por- tions of East Bay, Church, Meeting, King Streets, and the Battery are notable exceptions. Figure 111-2, Open Space and Street Treatments, illustrates existing conditions. 22 CHARLESTON X,~_ ~ ~! ~~~~~~~~~~~~Open Space and ! \~~~~~~~~~~~Street Treatments Figure 111-2 Saaid Asociatesn \// \ \ t trlggg2 \; \S \"~ //~ \ \D \S // k \ \ \4�Y \@ \\ a Notes for New Projects Map 1. Proposed Redesign Mitchell Playground 2. Montessori School 3. Tourist Information Center 4. 180 Dwelling Units with Commercial 5. Historic Charleston Rehabilitation Project 6. Charleston Public Works Commission 7. Renovation of Francis Marion Hotel 8. St. Francis Xavier Hospital Parking Deck 9. MUSC Children's Hospital 10. St. Francis Xavier Hospital Tower Addition 11. Roper Hospital Ancillary Addition 12. Proposed Old Marina Park 13. New Harleston - A Project of Limehouse Properties 14. Renovation of Berkley Arms Condominium 15. Renovation of Baker Hospital to Condominium 16. Possible Rezoning and Projects Request 17. Apartment Tower 18. Moultrie Playground 19. Existing King & Queen Office Building 20. Possible Demolition & New Construction to Match Existing 21. Meeting Street Bank Building 22. Hazel V. Parker Playground 23. Possible Zoning Residential/New 300-Seat Restaurant 24. Park Site 25. Historic McCrady's Tavern (now called Long Room) Proposed Renovation 26. Existing Vendue Inn and Potential Inn 27. Office Space Renovation 28. Proposed Lodge Alley Market & Residence 29. National Park Service Fort Sumter Tour Boat Facility 30. Customs House - Possible Conversion to Federal Court 31. Existing Market Square 32. Charleston Center 33. Classroom Building 34. Municipal Parking Garage 35. Harris-Teeter Super Markets, Inc. East Bay Plaza 36. College of Charleston Fine Arts Building 37. Renovated Marion Square Market Center 38. Marion Square Restoration 39. The Charleston Museum 40. Dockside Condominium 41. Historic Charleston Infill Pilot Project 42. New Park Site 43. Proposed Mall Playground 44. East Side Community Center New Projects In the last ten years, Charleston has experienced a re- naissance. Figure 111-3 locates new park, residential, institu- tional and commercial projects underway or proposed in the peninsula. 24 44 ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ .~~. CALESTON WATERFRONT PARK MW N - w MW., s x New Projects .a \/.~~~Figure 111-3, Sasaki Associatesic. 2 t \- ~~~~~~~~~~2 Urban Design Framework Strengthening the pedestrian and transit functions of Market Street can tighten the connection between the The following analysis of the urban design framework proposed Charleston Center, the NPS tour boat facility (see Figure 111-4) summarizes our conclusions about the and the northern terminus of the park. A mass transit above-mentioned existing conditions. It provides the basis system with stops near the park and other points of in- for determining appropriate access (transit, vehicular and terest combined with parking areas located north and east pedestrian) to the park and for generating urban design of the residential area and city center can encourage peo- guidelines for new development in its vicinity. pie to leave their cars and enjoy Charleston's small scale The park site's location along the edge of three distinct architectural details on foot. The park can provide another parts of downtown Charleston (the restored residential destination for tourists, offer an alternative to White Point area which holds some of the finest examples of eigh- Gardens and the Battery, and relieve pressure on the resi- teenth and nineteenth century domestic architecture in dential neighborhoods. Many of the narrow, intimately the United States, a commercial area which includes res- scaled, east-west streets in the vicinity of the project area taurants and offices located in restored warehouses left have potential as pedestrian oriented connections to the over from the era of the cotton and rice trade, and city center and the restored residential area. The pro- another more intensely developed commercial area to posed park is within walking distance of many businesses the north which encompasses the shops along Market and institutions and can serve as a pleasant place to bring Street and the NPS tour boat facility) is an important func- a lunch. Its location to the immediate north of the Hazel tional opportunity. The existing interrelationships between V. Parker playground and the Battery presents the oppor- these three areas and the park itself can be strengthened tunity to continue the waterfront promenade initiated in to solidify them as separate, but integrated units which the nineteenth century with the construction of the can contribute to the success of this part of Charleston. Battery. Ad--___ -___ KEY FOR URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK MAP ~ ~--_--_________ ____- - f Existing Park = ~-~.-.__~:~__-- : Potential Park :=- As Existing Public Access to = =E = = ~ -- - - .... the Water ----_- =-= __ _ Potential Public Access to - "::---- the Water - - - ...... > Views 26 Ir~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~91< ~;;~?~ ~ ~~D~f: ~C~ 4, ~ 1~ 1~~~~~~ WATERFRONT PARK Urban Design Framework 1 '4. : , ~ ~tFgure 111-4L I Sasaki ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Associatesjkic 27 Citywide Landscape Potentials Figure 111-5 illustrates citywide landscape potentials. New street trees are suggested along principal north/south roadways, Meeting, King, East Bay and Rutledge in the city center, and around major institutions and landmarks such as the Medical Complex and the Customs House. Fulfilling these landscape potentials will require a long-term effort by the City of Charleston and other interested groups. A landscape vocabulary for the city is suggested in Chapter V and Appendix C. 28 CHARLESTON WATERFRONT PARK Cit ywide Land scape Potentials Figure 111-5, Sasaki AssociatmSvr- 16`~~~~~~~~~~~~~29 Opportunities and Constraints in the street parking on Concord Street. As additional buildings are renovated and constructed in the park's vicinity, the Study Area demand for parking will increase. Both replacement park- (See Figure 111-6) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ing and future parking demand must be considered. (See Figure 111-6) ~~~~~~~~The most recent average daily traffic counts for the city- The width of Concord Street is out of scale with the rest wide network were compiled in 1975, but the major por- of this part of the peninsula. Because of its width and traf- tion of these counts were taken during the off-peak tourist fic volume capacity, it can be classified as either a second- season. With an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 daily tourists ary or primary roadway. However, a roadblock north of in the peak season, traffic volume, as well as demands on the cruise ship terminal produces a dead end. That sec- parking, will increase substantially. It has been reported tion of Concord Street between Market Street and South that traffic volumes increase by 30 to 35 percent during Adger's Wharf, functions as a local road to residential the height of the tourist season. The quantification of the units in the southern portion, parking lots in the mid- parking demand, based on estimated traffic volume in- section (waterfront park area) and limited use activity in crease, cannot be done without additional study. the northern section. This limited demand and the limited The roadway network appears to break down at the future demand present an opportunity for an alternative junction of tertiary roadways and parking facilities. These roadway which will enhance the use of the park and its facilities should feed into either the primary or secondary surrounding environment. roadways. instead, the majority of existing parking facilities Concord Street has the potential to serve as an attrac- are adjacent to tertiary roadways. Consequently, cars en- tive transition from the small spaces formed by court- tering and leaving these areas clog the traffic on the nar- yards, gardens, and narrow cobbled streets to the wide, row streets. It would be difficult and unwise to upgrade expansive view of the Cooper River. It can continue to be the tertiary roadways to the secondary level. Therefore, the connection between Market Street and the commer- new parking facilities should be located on the primary cial activities to the north and to provide access to the roadway network and, in the vicinity of the park, should neighborhood to the south. front on East Bay Street. Market Street, Queen/Vendlue Range and Broad/Ex- change Streets can become the -gateway streets to the Cooper River. Market Street links the waterfront to the downtown's commercial and tourist area, Queen/Vendlue Range Street constitutes the interface of this area and the city center, and Broad/Exchange Street divides the city center from the restored residential area. Cumberland, Cendron, Cordes, North Atlantic Wharf and Middle Atlan- Notes for Opportunities and Constraints Map tic Wharf Streets between East Bay and Concord Streets 1. Potential for block development to define North have potential as visual and pedestrian connections to the Market Street edge. Cooper River. East Bay and Concord Streets connect these 2. Potential space for horse carriages. three areas to each other. 3. Focal point for Market Street and directing link to East Bay Street can be improved as a north-south vehic- park. ular transit and pedestrian connection. It also can serve as 4. Opportunity to establish appropriate landscape setting a feeder road for parking areas. Prioleau Street can be im- for Customs House grounds. proved as a pedestrian and vehicular connection. Signs 5. Opportunity to establish redevelopment along Market with pedestrian information should accompany these im- Street. provements. 6. Proposal for parking garage. With the development of the Project Area, there is an 7 .Ftrhoelcain opportunity to restrict transit vehicles of the regional and 7. WidthufCnodSree houte lofcalewthiomn. tour bus type to the limits of East Bay Street and Market scale of Charleston street grid. Streets at the NPS Fort Sumter tour boat facility and to 9 tetwt rhtcual infcnwl-eie establish pull-offs at appropriate locations. Small shuttle h .Sre istorcitctual sinfcant el-e.ie buses as well as large tour buses can be used in this areahitrcsae with transfer points at designated pedestrian links and/or 10. Constant activity at Pilot Boat House improves parking facilities at East Bay. The Tourism Management security. Committee can limit the size of tour vehicles so that they are consistent with the visual integrity of the streetscape. E The actual routing and stop locations for horse and car- Potential Development Parcel riages will be determined upon finalization of all roadway Potential Park or Landscape Treatment facilities within the immediate area of the park.ExsigPr The tourist travel (both pedestrian and tour buses) along P oentialfrMjrPdstrian-Oing Stree Market Street from Meeting to Concord Streets provides Poeta*o0ao eesra-retdSre an opportunity to create a transit mall on the southern leg *@***se Potential for Minor Pedestrian-Oriented Street of Market Street between East Bay and Concord Streets. Existing Public Access to the Water The treatment of the northern leg of Market Street, will depend on the service needs of the businesses there. osmnwPotential Public Access to the Water Construction of the park and spin-off development will I Views eliminate the five off-street parking areas presently.. located on the park site and will also displace some on- Mars 30 /.Commercial and Tourist ~~~~~~Ct et nd xed~~.0 Use02mmecia LIU&~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Restored Residential Area~~~~~~~~~~~ Ci~~~~~~~~~~~~~potuCnities and- Re~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ostoredReidntiasAe Opportuntes and 31 IV. Circulation and Parking potential of the development sites, many people empha- sized the importance of the parking in the area in sup- ~~~~~~~~~Plan ~~~porting commercial activities in downtown Charleston. Construction of the park and the development of the The activities proposed for the Cooper River are de- signed to strengthen and relate to the activities in the existing parking lots will ultimately eliminate the off-street signed to strengthen and relate to the activities in thepaknarsadwillodslcen-tetakng parking areas and will also displace on-street parking, downtown. Tourist activities, such as the carriage drop-off depending on the treatment selected for the street i- depending on the treatment selected for the street im- area, the NPS Fort Sumter tour boat facility, and tour bus provements. As additional buildings are renovated and provements. As additional buildings are renovated and parking, are located primarily in the vicinity of Market constructed in the park's vicinity, the demand for parking constructed in the park's vicinity, the demand for parking Street. Vendue Wharf, the bosque/ lawn and the widest Street. Vendue Wharf, the bosque! lawn and the widest will increase. To ease the transition, parking is provided portion of the Concord Street promenade, all park ele- during the construction of the park. Both replacement ments equipped to accommodate the largest number of parking and future parking demand must be consolidated. people, are closest to the Vendue Range entrance. The linear lawn and Adger's Wharf, the most intimate features Figure I-, Master Plan, Charleston Waterfront Park, i- of the park, respond directly to the restored residential lustrates potential locations for new parking structures neighborhood to the south. which could be built as part of the overall redevelopment strategy for the district. The proposed parking structures The land use objectives described in Chapter V are in- are generally served from two sides with entrances from tended to reinforce these existing patterns. Circulation nde tarking are ess ential to the successful function of the and exits to East Bay Street, in order to prevent back-ups and parking are essential to the successful function of theonteeriysres.Teumrofxsigpakg ID ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~on the tertiary streets. The number of existing parking Project Area. In this section, we outline circulation and t eriy res T nmr xsig akg Project Area. In this section, we outline circulation and spaces, both on- and off-street, is listed in Table IV-1. Dur- parking strategies and recommendations for their imple- ing our field survey in February, we estimated an 85 per- ~~~~~~~~~mentation. ~cent occupancy of parking spaces in the immediate area of the park. With the seasonal increase caused by tour- Circulation ism, it is clear that the demand exceeds the supply. The design of the park calls for the redesign of Concord Table IV-2 indicates that the potential exists to double Street between Middle Atlantic Wharf Street and Vendue the total number of parking spaces in the area through Range and the elimination of traffic in this stretch of the the redevelopment of certain key sites within the districts. street, except for fire and emergency vehicles, bicycles This potential should be compared to the estimated de- and pedestrians. The proposed redevelopment of the criti- mand for parking generated by the development of the cal development sites within the Project Area and the park and the National Park Service Fort Sumter tour boat proposals to construct a series of major parking structures facility, and the various development sites. on these sites will also require some modifications to the street system. Sidewalk improvements on certain east/ west streets between East Bay and Concord Streets will enhance the pedestrian environment. Figure 11-12, Circula- tion and Parking Plan, indicates the proposed concept for circulation in the Project Area. Parking The undeveloped sites in the Project Area perform an important role. They provide low cost parking within easy walking distance of the existing center of the professional office area around Broad Street and along East Bay. In ad- dition, the parking spaces are used by patrons of restau- rants and inns in the locality. During the tourist season the parking that is not used by local commercial activities is taken up by tourists. In the interviews with local commercial businessmen and in the survey carried out to determine the market 33 Table IV- Parking Provision Within the Project Area* On Site On Street Total Existing Parking 485 957 1,441 Projected After Redevelopment 2,226 698 2,924 Table IV-2 Projected Parking Provision in Redevelopment Sites Site Proposed Parking Provision A 30 (120 if developed multi-storey) B 422 C 1,082 D 77 E 350-486* * * Existing parking to be replaced in redevelopment of site. **See parking alternative for joint development of parking on blocks A and E. Recommendations ,S~. ~ :;- - The following is a summary of the improvements recom- mended for east-west streets in the project area. Figures IV-1 through IV-9 illustrate these improvements. : South and North Adger's Wharf - No recommend- ed roadway improvements. * South Boyce's Wharf - No recommended roadway improvements. Plant a single row of trees on the north side of the street. * East Elliott Street - No recommended roadway im- -7 0~~~ provements. Plant a single row of trees on the south side of the street. I 3>, � Exchange Street - No recommended roadway im- 0- provements. Plant street trees on both sides of the C-D * Middle Atlantic Wharf - Realign this roadway seg- ment between East Bay and Prioleau to provide a minimum 6' sidewalk on the south side. Roadway e Bo width should approximate 16' and the one-way eastbound traffic direction should be maintained. Middle Atlantic Wharf from Prioleau Street to Con- cord Street should be realigned and widened to 22' providing travel in both directions. Prohibit on-street parking. Plant a single row of trees on both sides of the street between Concord and Prioleau and a single row on the north side between Prioleau and East Bay. * North Atlantic Wharf - Abandon this segment of roadway between Prioleau Street and Concord Street. Maintain the segment between East Bay and Prioleau Street in width and direction of travel. * Cordes Street - No recommended roadway im- > provements. Plant a single row of trees on both sides of the street. -- - '- - � Gendron Street - Convert the two-way segment between East Bay and Prioleau Street to a one-way segment eastbound. The segment between Prioleau Street and Concord Street can be abandoned if necessary. * Vendue Range Street - Redesign Vendue Range as a two-way facility with on street parking and ade- quate pedestrian zones. Minimum width should ap- proximate 24' to 26' depending on the type of Figure IV-1 Figure IV-2 34 (DI, Plant a single row of trees on both sides of the side of the street. north side. Use Cone Sti reet aces p vige adre a Fret. In addi- Ports Authority lot. The street direction of travel carriage stops. Plant a single row of trees on each should be one-way eastbound directly into the facili- side of South Market street. ty. Contine rone e Street in the southerly direction to Street as aintay sout street oand prohibit parking on the roadway segment to provide egress from the proposed parking garage. � Faber Street - Reconstruct Faber Street to provide ing facility. Maintain the parking lot on the north side and provide access from Cumberland Street. * Cumberland Street- No recommended roadway pro igfi. intain t Cumberland Street - roh remet nded provd way ment between East Bay and th Ports Authority directional flow for automobile travel on the north- pakn lo.M inti h cti"prigo h ie rvd oesottr akn ntesg north~~ sie s oeSre opoiedrc cesmn ewe atByadCnodSre.I di to heprpoedpakig acliy laemntonth tinprvie deuae rasi a wllashosean mentbetwen ast ay ad te Pots Athoity irecionl flw fo auomoble tave on he nr 35 .8 - ~~~~~~OD fl_ oe e~~~~~~ Coee6 i ..~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Th~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~c bio~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4 C BOCE ADGER'S~~~~~~~~~0 The following is a summary of the improvements recoin- *Concord Street - Abandon Concord Street from * mended for the north-south streets in the project area. Vendlue Range to Middle Atlantic Wharf. Landscape Figures IV-10 through IV-12 illustrate these improvements, the west side of the segment south of Middle Atlan- *East Bay Street - Maintain East Bay Street in its cur- tic Wharf in order to provide a shield between the * ~~rent state with the following exceptions. Remove parked vehicles on the eastern side of the street parking on the east side between East Elliott and Ex- and the houses. Provide spot parking on the east change Street and widen the sidewalk. Similarly, side in order to provide viewing locations for per- remove parking from the Exchange Building to Mid- sons occupying their vehicle (handicapped/elderly). dle Atlantic Wharf. In addition, relocate the munici- Develop the northern part of Concord Street to ac- pal parking lot entrance approximately 50' north. commodlate the demand placed on the system by On the sidewalks from Middle Atlantic Wharf to park users as well as tour boat users. Cumberland Street, plant a single row of trees on both sides. Locate three bus stops on the east side of East Bay between Exchange and Cumberland Streets. Locate them on the departure side of major intersecting pedestrian links such as Exchange Street, Cordes Street, and Vendlue Range. *.Priolleau Street - Realign Prioleau Street and con- struct it to a minimum 22' in width, and provide for travel in two directions. In addition, extend it south from Exchange Street to Elliott Street. Prioleau Street will serve as a kind of interior arcaded court for automobile and pedestrian arrival. It will require special design to serve this function (See Chapter V, Urban Design Guidelines). ~~~~St ~esuree Stree Figure IV-il1 37 ri-L Figure V-1 V. Urban Design Guidelines tional, and attractive new precinct, well integrated into and drawing inspiration from the best parts of the historic The proposed park will substantially change the quality, peninsula on which it is located. Obviously, as specific nature, and use of the surrounding area. Therefore we proposals arise, the guidelines will have to undergo more recommend that the Project Area be designated as a detailed study and refinement than is possible at the Special District (See Figure V-i, Cooper River Special master plan stage so that they apply to the situation. District Plan) with specific planning and urban design con- trols, designed both to protect its fragile qualities and to shape its future growth. shape its future growth. The Cooper River Special District This special district could be in the form of an overlay to Any special district plan for the Project Area must the proposed new downtown zoning ordinance and could recognize the following planning/development issues: serve as an excellent "testing ground" for special zoning * the structural (land use and transportation) relation- and development controls elsewhere in Charleston. While ship of the area to the city as a whole; we have used the proposed zoning regulations of the * the development potential and density of the area draft zoning as a guideline in our evaluation of specific itself; development parcels, our preliminary urban design study � land use relationships, both existing and future, of the area - including realistic development options, ex- within the area; isting architectural character and land use objectives - in- � pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems within dicates that these need revision and sharpening. In such a and around the area including parking; sensitive precinct, design controls which are site specific, * the character and scale of the area's existing and dictating, for example, the location and scale of certain ur- proposed architecture and open space systems; ban design and architectural elements, may well have to e public sentiment. be added to the more typical and general regulations if a superior design for the park frontage is to be achieved ise sms oial o-ie ie-s rawt f superor dsignfor he prk fontae isto b achevedThe special district which results from an analysis of these over time. Unfortunately, zoning ordinances have never fccmeca n ors ciiisadmjratv over ime.Unforunatly, zningordinnceshave everissues is most logically a low-rise, mixed-use area with of- been a guarantee of three-dimensional design quality and ficen c esci n tort arou nd Mar Stre the art of writing successful design controls is still in its in- an r esinthe nore aroun Market the fancy in this country. ~~~~~and residential and more passive open space use to the fancyvin theindeterminatesnatureand scheduleofuntrba south, echoing existing conditions. It is divided into a Given the indeterminate nature and schedule of urban nme fsbaes development, a realistic recognition of changing condi- tions, the controls are flexible in that they derive from Customs House Square - One of Charleston's most ex- general land use and transportation objectives, and citing urban design potentials is the "Market Street cor- specific in that they seek to reinforce certain existing and ridor" with tourist and tourist-related commercial uses preferred physical orders. The goal is a harmonious, func- along an automobile and pedestrian transit street, starting at the Head Market Building and culminating in a (yet to 9 be designed) square in front of the SCSPA Cruise Ship Buildings here are three to four stories, U-shaped court- Terminal. yard types with continuous frontages along the park and Market Street, as it now stands, is incomplete and needs Prioleau Street - a layout which provides an outlook on extension, possibly a continuation of the low, open both public and private gardens interconnected by buildings for another block east, or merely the proper "alleys". Prioleau Street will also be arcaded and is intend- landscaping of this space, to accommodate carriages and ed to contain supporting quality retail facilities, appropri- vendors. It is recommended that the eastern axis of the ate to the residential neighborhood south of Broad Street. street be culminated by a new structure or gate - possi- Vendue Range, Gendron, Cordes, North Atlantic, Mid bly a tourist information pavilion - built on the founda- Atlantic, and Exchange Street are to be landscaped to tion of a lovely building that once stood here and serving enhance pedestrian movement from East Bay Street as a foil to the historic Market Building on Market Street through this redeveloped precinct - increasing the sense to the west. These two buildings would define or "book- that the park extends back from the river into the city end" the tourist oriented market precinct in a very pleas- along corridors which become increasingly pedestrian in ing way. character as they near the water. While these new blocks By controlling the frontage, scale and character of any may contain some small inn, restaurant and cultural uses, building on the parcel at the northeast end of Market as well as related parking, they are seen also as an impor- Street and recognizing the p ivotal nature of the Con- tant transition to the more purely residential area to the Street and recognizing the pivotal nature of the Con- south and should be designed to fit in with the outstand- cord/Market Street intersection, and by formalizing with n shl e nd tfinwthte o landscaping the shape and edge of the plaza in front of ing residential scale and character that have made the terminal and the south and west "walls" behind the Charleston famous. Customs House, a great "urban room" can be created. Middle Atlantic Wharf to Adger's Wharf - To the south, This room would turn pedestrian flow southwards to- the urban design plan envisions a predominantly residen- wards the Fort Sumter tour boat facility, while anchoring tial neighborhood with the adjacent park little more than and completing the tourist corridor running from the pro- a landscaped esplanade (Citywide and tourist activities are posed Charleston Center to the Customs House. It is an drained away to the north). The planning intention here is important spatial pivot with the Customs House standing that this lower end of Concord Street remain much as it is free in a great landscaped urban space - a major event in today, but with a greatly upgraded edge and improved the Charleston grid that announces in both land use and residential streetscape. A group of townhouses is shown three-dimensional terms the beginning of the concen- on Development Block F to illustrate a possible reinforce- trated historical district and the desired modal shift from ment of the existing residential character. auto and buses to foot, from more active tourist/commer- Adger's Wharf to the Battery - Though excluded from cial uses to more passive residential/office ones to the the recommended Special District, in time it may be ap- south. In this sense, Customs House Square is as impor- propriate to study how the proposed park might be more tant as the new waterfront park. formally connected to the High Battery to the south - The Ports Authority Maritime Office Building and Na- either outboard at the water's edge, inboard through the tional Park Service Fort Sumter Tour Boat Facility - To the park south of Adger's Wharf, or along Concord Street. south of the new Customs House precinct is a transition Certainly at the scale of the peninsula, the new park will area which will contain the National Park Service tour be a continuation of a narrow landscaped strip which runs boat facility, new port-related offices, and supporting park- all the way around the peninsula, theoretically from the ing to both. A new landscaped eastern edge along Con- Coast Guard Station on the Ashley to the SCSPA Cruise cord Street will connect the park to the Market Street cor- Ship Terminal on the Cooper. This system should be ridor. After the parking facility is developed, the western recognized and fully articulated and exploited, for its side of the Ports Authority site can be converted from a potential continuity is rare among American cities. parking area to a lawn and an extension of the park's palmetto path. This path can link the tour boat facility Urban Design Intentions and Character. with the park. ~~~~~~~~with the park. ~The urban design intentions for this Special District are Development Parcel Adjacent to Park (Development to: Block A) - The empty site, bounded by Gendron, Con- � reinforce the existing east-west grid pattern and its cord, Middle Atlantic and Prioleau, is the development penetration to the river by key to the entire precinct, not only offering an opportuni- ntain t h iv - maintaining and enhancing east/west visual and ty for desirable new development, but also providing circulation corridors, both a new backdrop for the park as seen from the wboth a new backdrop for the park as seen from the - creating new architectural spaces which reinforce water's edge, and an introduction into the park from the this east/west focus, existing city to the west. Obviously, the character, use, therptnthe and detailed design of this site (Development Block A) are - injecting the grid pattern into the park; of the utmost importance, for more than anything else � reinforce the eastern edge of this grid and its north- they will affect the park. The urban design concept for south axis by Development Block A includes an arcaded frontage on - giving Concord Street a penetrable but hard ar- the buildings facing the park, extending the width of the chitectural edge on its eastern side, from Adger's sidewalk into the right-of-way (similar to the portico of St. Wharf to Market Street, Phillips) with the main formal body of the new park occur- - narrowing and/or closing Concord Street to bring ring opposite this frontage - an intricate tapestry of trees, it more into the scale and character of its flowers, paving and water. 40 neighborhood (i.e., it should be the edge of a accessible at limited points through gates or, as at park, not an arterial roadway, the Battery, at entry paths; large trees providing - extending the center line of the narrowed Con- high shade canopy, relatively few bushes and cord Street as an open space corridor north- shrubs; when next to the water, a hard formal edge; south through the new park (even though the � height - most buildings three to four stories within street is closed) to give continuity; an overall protruding canopy of large trees; only silhou- � reinforce continuity, scale and rhythm of the east- ettes of major buildings penetrate this height plane (e.g., west and north-south streets by steeples, Customs House); where other buildings protrude - introducing build-to-lot-line requirements, a great loss of harmony (the 35-55 foot limit should re- - limiting the dimensions of north/south building main sacrosanct for all but key institutional buildings). faces (in keeping with the general Charleston practice), Land Use Objectives - mandating arcades along certain important high In general, the land use objectives which lie behind the traffic or special purpose pedestrian routes, urban design plan are the reinforcement of existing pat- - encouraging (through models) the use of pitched terns and trends (See Figure V-3). roofs, porches, window and door trim and open- Commercial and Tourist (office, retail, restaurant, inn) - ings in scale with older buildings, Locate commercial in the north of the district with tourist- - using the existing "Barbadian" color palette, oriented activities along the Market Street corridor and of- - making narrow, deep gardens and fice uses following the existing movement from Broad courts, Street north along East Bay. - designing sympathetic street landscaping, Commercial/Residential/Cultural - Emphasize the zone sidewalks and furnishings, from Vendue Range to Middle Atlantic Wharf Street as a - placing all utilities underground and eliminating major transition zone between commercial and residential high, modern street lamps, precincts with the northern part of this site used for high - controlling, but not eliminating, street and com- quality inn/restaurant/gallery uses, and the southern part mercial signage; for luxury housing. Prioleau Street is seen as an ideal loca- * identify those few places where special "object" tion for small, "quality" shops (i.e., gourmet wine and (rather than "background") buildings might be ap- food, antiques, etc.) serving the residential area south of propriately placed; Broad and near the front door of a possible small inn. A � be easily understood and applied (which probably major structured parking garage here will serve both the requires a more detailed Special District Study new development and some east Broad Street demand. resulting in a manual or small handbook). Residential - Emphasize area south of Middle Atlantic Clearly itis an existing architectural character which the Wharf as primarily residential, interspersed with recently urban design plan addresses: renovated office and support commercial uses. Any major � the lot - narrow frontage and deep; � the Charleston house - formal, narrow, with side garden entry, slim relatively high street facade, side porch oriented towards the garden and prevailing breezes, (See Figure V-2) sloped roof, richness of door and window detail, Barbadian/Italian color palette; � the public building - formal, generally symmetrical, ::. located usually at a corner or at the end of a street to act as a pivot; front facade often porticoed; massive, heavy, dense masonry buildings with pitched roofs, often with a lantern or roof skylight to admit light to the interior, and in the case of churches with lofty spires to announce themselves on the skyline; � the street - relatively narrow, straight; buildings built to a lot-line (few setbacks); nearly uniform height (except for major buildings); rich sidewalk treatment; the street as a formal "front door" rather than only a movement corridor; � the alley - very narrow secondary pedestrian system at right angles to larger street grid; hard . walls and floor; a literal penetration of building mass; sometimes spanned with bridges; � the garden - parallel to the long axis of the house - a "front yard" but on the side generally abutting a long porch; semi-public to view from the street but usually behind a fence; lush planting; � the park - usually formal in shape and edge treat- ment (i.e., low masonry wall topped by iron fence), Figure V-2, The Charleston House and Lot 41 CHARLESTON WATERFRO~NTPR 1-0 p 2=11: 0.oo 04 M.- Figure V-3, Land Use Objectives, Cooper River Park Special District new development here should be residential. The land use objectives, then, aim at the further en- hancement of three of Charleston's most valuable assets: her historic, high-quality, in-town residential precincts; her tourism, and her dynamic and economically important port industry. The park itself provides a way to thread these interests together in an attractive way. The ex- istence of a number of development parcels in prime nearby locations offers an unexcelled opportunity to fur- ther develop the existing assets. 42 Critical Development Parcels There are a number of critical development parcels within the special district. Specific design guidelines have been prepared for each site (See Figures V-4 through V-9). *Detailed guidelines have not been prepared for Block F. 1) Blocks A and E - mixed residential/hotel/cultural selected retail uses; 2) Block B - Ports Authority related offices/ground floor commercial/parking; 3) Block C - parking/tourist related retail; 4) Block D - offices/tourist related retail/motel. 5) Block E - residential Tables V-1 through V-5 summarize the development potential of parcels A through E. Design Controls The drawings illustrate various recommended urban de- sign controls. Density requirements (or Floor Area Ratio, FAR) set forth in the draft zoning ordinance (September, 1979) were used as a general guide for development in the special district barring more detailed study. However, in order to accommodate the expected long-term parking requirements for the area, those sites which provide a substantial amount of parking in garages or at grade level go above the suggested development potential for the site of 2.4 FAR (See Tables V-1 through V-5).* Finally, parking ratios for each site will be established by the city pending completion of current, on-going transportation and zoning studies. Additionally, an overall height control policy (see Figure V-10) supports the existing 35- to 55-foot recommended maximums. It is recommended that a simple but vigorous design review procedure be followed with respect to all new development in the special district to ensure compliance with the design controls and the urban design intents. This implies a thorough review of schematic design of all buildings and encourages the selection of the very best architects, landscape architects, and engineers in all work both public and private. At the same time, no set of design controls should be totally inflexible. Discretion and sophistication on the part of reviewing agencies are necessary. If private developers use quality, professional designers, they will quite often hit upon solutions superior to those recommended in the plan. Changing the plan can be as important as adopting it. Certainly some "reward" (faster service, easier approval) should be found for those who put forward high quality schemes. Once such a reward system is established, bet- ter development will follow. As yet Charleston has not received in her new projects the level of quality she deserves. There is opportunity for this in the Cooper River Special District. *Not applicable to Block C and E which are primarily parking garages. 43 Table V-l, Development Block A - Development Potential PLOT AREA 52,017 s.f. FAR 2.4 (City Zoning Study)* DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL 124,840 sf. USE GROUND FLOOR SECOND FLOOR THIRD FLOOR FOURTH FLOOR FIFTH FLOOR TOTALS % OF DEV. RETAIL 9,295 s.f. 9,295 7.4 HOTEL 8,625 15,620 17,020.5 17,020.5 58,286.5 47.0 PARKING 6,030 6,030 4.8 RESIDENTIAL 11,425.5 25,093.5 14,697 1,860 53,076 42.5 OPEN SPACE 16,641 32% Plot Area Minus Parking - 120,657.5 Total Gross Floor Area: 126,687.5 Actual FAR of Model: 2.43 PARKING REQUIRED COMM/RETAIL 1/400 169 ACTUAL NUMBER PROPOSED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS 30 OFFICE 1/800 N.A. + EXCESS/I - DEFICIENCIES -166 RESIDENTIAL 1/dwelling unit 27 TOTAL 196 *Phase 2 Report Charleston Zoning Ordinance Revision, HLW/Partner- ship, September 1979. FAR is an abbreviation of Floor Area Ratio. KEY for DEVELOPMENT BLOCKS A-E In Figures V-4 -V-8 Mandatory Controls _ Required Build to Plane o_ , Arcade Building Plane Above Ground Floor Porches Above Arcade Prioleau Street Special Roof Profile Existing/New Building Alignment Retail and/or Commercial Frontage Green Buffer Plaza and/or Recommended Open Space Location . Pedestrian Walkway Pazi %View Corridor �. ,- -' Figure V-4, Development Blocks "A" and "E" 44 Table V-2, Development Block E - Development Potential PLOT AREA 27,412 s.f. FAR 2.4 (City Zoning Study) DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL 54,825 s.f. USE GROUND FLOOR SECOND FLOOR THIRD FLOOR FOURTH FLOOR FIFTH FLOOR TOTALS % OF DEV. RETAIL PARKING 27,412 27,412 27,412 27,412 27,412 137,060 2.4 COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL OPEN SPACE Total Gross Floor Area: 137,036 Actual FAR of Model: 5.0 PARKING REQUIRED COMM/RETAIL 1/400 N.A. ACTUAL NUMBER PROPOSED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS 350 OFFICE 1/800 N.A. + EXCESS/ - DEFICIENCIES N.A. RESIDENTIAL 1/dwelling unit N.A. TOTAL N.A. .:~1~, II Section through Housing Section through Inn T4,4 ~~'l ob4a -4 X , e Prioleau Street il eveopmnt Block A Figure V-5, Development Blocks "A" and "E" - Alternate 46 Table V-3, Development Block B - Development Potential PLOT AREA 53,970 s.f. FAR 2.4 (City Zoning Study) DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL 129,528 s.f. USE GROUND FLOOR SECOND FLOOR THIRD FLOOR FOURTH FLOOR FIFTH FLOOR TOTALS % OF DEV. RETAIL 11,550 s.f. 11,550 8.9 Roof PARKING 33,600 33,600 33,600 33,600 134,400 COMMERCIAL 3,970 15,520 17,820 17,820 17,820 72,950 56.3 RESIDENTIAL OPEN SPACE 3,750 6.9% Plot Area Minus Parking- 84,500 Total Gross Floor Area: 218,900 Actual FAR of Model: 4.05 PARKING REQUIRED COMM/RETAIL 1/400 29 ACTUAL NUMBER PROPOSED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS 432 OFFICE 1/800 91 + EXCESS/- DEFICIENCIES + 312 RESIDENTIAL 1/dwelling unit N.A. TOTAL 120 Parking 7 XI j <~~I I ~ II Section A-A S.C.SPA wA- Figure V-6, Development Block "B" 47 Table V-4, Development Block C - Development Potential PLOT AREA 164,640 s.f. FAR 2.4 (City Zoning Study) DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL 395,136 s.f. USE GROUND FLOOR SECOND FLOOR THIRD FLOOR FOURTH FLOOR FIFTH FLOOR TOTALS % OFDEV. RETAIL 10,402 s.f. 10,402 2.6 Roof PARKING 75,525.5 85,927.5 88,777.5 88,777.5 88,777.5 427,785.5 COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL OPEN SPACE 78,712 47.8% Plot Area Total Gross Floor Area: 438,188 Actual FAR of Model: 2.66 -[oUr _oa acri t. . , M .JOi' SoC.S.P.A. Cruise Ship Terminal Figure V-7, Development Block "C" 48 PARKING REQUIRED COMM/RETAIL 1/400 26 ACTUAL NUMBER PROPOSED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS 1,082 OFFICE 1/800 N.A. + EXCESS/ - DEFICIENCIES + 1,056 RESIDENTIAL 1/dwelling unit N.A. TOTAL 26 II C-T�~=~-~-~---------- Typical Section Through Parking t I . 1 i4 49 Table V-5, Development Block D - Development Potential PLOT AREA 51,450 s.f. FAR 2.4 (City Zoning Study) DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL 123,480 s.f. USE GROUND FLOOR SECOND FLOOR THIRD FLOOR FOURTH FLOOR FIFTH FLOOR TOTALS % OF DEV. RETAIL 18,582 s.f. 18,582 15 PARKING 22,240 22,240 COMMERCIAL 34,740 35,940 16,650 16,650 103,980 84.2 RESIDENTIAL OPEN SPACE 10,387 Setbacks above 35 feet 20% of Plot Area 19,290 19,290 Minus Parking- 122,562 Total Gross Floor Area: 144,802 Actual FAR of Model: 2.81 PARKING REQUIRED COMM/RETAIL 1/400 46 ACTUAL NUMBER PROPOSED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS 77 OFFICE 1/800 130 + EXCESS/- DEFICIENCIES -99 RESIDENTIAL 1/dwelling unit N.A. TOTAL 176 B r 'ustoms ous Figure V-8, Development Block "D" 50 ill II I II i I I I HHI F II Section A-A Customs House D I A u I Section B- B 7�� ~ t Development Block F LU~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Longitudinal Section 'A ~~~~~~~~~ilng Station1 r ........ .. Figure V-9, Development Block F -Detailed guidelines have not been prepared for Block F. 52 I~~~N. 'N~~~~~~~I~ 5v5 lFigure V-10,Height Control Policy Landscape Vocabulary plicated set of physical and aesthetic improvements that produce extensive economic and social impacts. The Plant Material coordinated actions of the public and private sectors and There are many environmental stresses present on the strong support of the community are necessary to im- shores of the peninsula which predispose plant materials plementation. Such actions throughout the entire area to decline and eventual death*. Adjacent to the Cooper will, out of necessity, be phased over the next decade. River, soils are generally high in excess soluble salts and Potential street furnishings in the Project Area include alkaline in pH. They also have particular problems related postal boxes, newspaper vendors, waste receptacles, flag to their water holding capacity. poles, transit information graphics, traffic control graphics, Excess soluble salts result from inundation of soils with benches and lights. Their design and material should be in saline or brackish water, in this case. The term soluble keeping with the period architecture and the spirit of the salts reflects the amount of dissolved salts (Na+1C+, urban design guidelines set forth in this report. The Mg++, etc.) in a soil. The levels which cause injury in specific design and locations of street furnishings will be sandy soils are considerably less than in organic soils. An determined in the next phase of park design. organic soil type can potentially hold more water; there- fore, the salts are more diluted than in a sandy soil. In order to minimize the problems associated with excess soluble salts, we propose the following recommendations: � At time of planting, add organic matter to improve the nutrient and water holding capacity, � Add gypsum or other limestone materials to im- prove the cation exchange capacity of the soil and reduce the uptake of sodium, * Avoid fertilizers with high salt levels of chlorine, sodium, and sulfate, * Monitor soluble salt levels with soil and water testing. * Water plant materials thoroughly to leach salts from the root zone, * Provide good drainage to prevent build up of salts in the root zone, *Use salt tolerant ornamentals, *Use salt tolerant screen plantings to reduce the in- jury to more sensitive plants inland and *Syringe the foliage with non-saline water. Associated with soil related problems is a similar salinity problem - salt injury from spray. Potentially, the more hazardous problem is related to soil salinity, yet injuries from spray reduce the ornamental value of landscape plantings. Salt spray injury is characterized by scorched, dry, often "burn-like" foliage. Injury symptoms are general- ly more severe on the water facing portions of plants. As injury progresses, complete defoliation occurs. We are us- ing the following three salt tolerant categories of plants: � Salt Tolerant - plants highly resistant to salt drift which can be used in exposed environments. � Moderately Salt Tolerant - plants which tolerate some salt spray, but grow best when protected by buildings, fences, or plantings or salt tolerant species. � Slightly Salt Tolerant -plants with poor salt tolerance which should be used away from exposed areas and protected by buildings, fences, or plant- ings of salt tolerant and moderately salt tolerant species. These species have been further divided into the follow- ing classifications: Trees, Palms, Shrubs, and Dwarf Shrubs, Vines and Ground Covers and are listed in Appendix C in- cluding the plant materials most suitable for use in the waterfront park. Street Furniture, Signs and Graphics *Barrjck, William E., Salt Tolerant Plants for Florida Landscapes, Report The proposed Cooper River Special District will have Number 28, State University System of Florida, Sea Grant College Pro- streetscape improvements which will involve a com- gram, July, 1979, is the source for this section. 54 Appendices 55 Appendix A - Environmental Considerations 1. Tides, Flooding and Storms Table A-1, Charleston Tide Analysis 5/8/80* 0.00 NGVD** -2.1 Mean Low Tide (local) 1980 + Tide Tables - 1980 Highest Tide in Each Month*** JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 6.1 6.1 6.3 6.5 6.7 6.5 6.2 6.1 6.6 7.1 6.9 6.5 7.1 Annual High Tide 6.5 Monthly High Tide 5.8 Average High Tide Lowest Tide in Each Month*** JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC -1.2 -1.4 -1.3 -1.2 -1.1 -1.0 -0.8 -0.7 -0.8 -0.9 -1.1 -1.2 -1.4 Annual Low Tide -1.1 Monthly Low Tide + 0.3 Average Low Tide Average Tide Range = 5.5' *This analysis is the basis for Tidal and Flood Levels Table. **National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD) refers to geodetic surface determined at selected leveling nets in the contiguous United States. Zero on this reference surface is close to but not identical with :local mean sea level". The land elevations on the city's topographical maps refer to this datum. ***Subtract 2.1 from all tidal heights so that they correspond to elevations on the city's topographic maps. Table A-2, Tide and Flood Levels No. of Times per year Tide or Flood Elevation Notes 1/500 500 year flood + 16.4 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1/100 100 year flood + 12.0 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1/50 50 year flood + 10.0 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1/25 25 year flood + 7.0 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1/10 10 year flood + 5.8 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1 Annual (Extreme) High Tide + 5.0 Analysis 6 Spring High Tide + 4.7 Analysis 12 Monthly High Tide + 4.4 Analysis 720 Average High Tide + 3.7 Analysis - NGVD = 0.0 City Topo Map Datum 720 Average Low Tide - 1.8 Analysis - *Mean Low Tide (Local) - 2.1 Used for Tidal reference 12 Monthly Low Tide - 3.2 Analysis 1 Annual (Extreme) Low Tide - 3.5 Analysis *As per U.S.G.S. - Office of Oceanography/NOS/NOAA Tides & Water Levels Divisions. 56 COOPER R IVER ID(M)1 ::3 14 0 0~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(10 < Flood Levels CHARLESTON WATERFRONT PARK Figure A-I 57 /0'~~~~ 1,9 0- - ~C~ ood-4vr,(-i-Io. a' 0.0. ,A O Jo&Il Figure A-2, Sections Showing Flood Levels 58 2. Marsh, Existing Flora and Fauna organics, and has a minimum of two feet of gravel sub- Figure A-3, Marsh Assessment delineates the boundaries base. It is recommended that structures be designed to of the tidal flat, the low marsh, the high marsh and the provide internal support should small voids develop in the of the tidal flat, the low marsh, the high marsh and the i bna t srcue fill beneath the structure. upland on the park site. The upland is higher than the elevation of the spring high tide, hosts terrestrial vegeta- Organic Clay - This material consists of an unconsoli- tion, and is outside the jurisdiction of the South Carolina dated, saturated organic clay or silt. It appears to have ex- Coastal Council (SCCC). tremely low strength and a penetration resistance* of zero. Thickness varies from 15 to 49 feet based on the ex- The Generalized Marsh Profile illustrates species of sting boring logs. Presumptive bearing capacity is zero isting boring logs. Presumptive bearing capacity is zero vegetation and fauna which commonly occur in South while the estimated shear strength of the soil is 20 to 50 Carolina salt marshes. The two profiles show the vegeta- pounds per square foot. Settlement potential in this tion actually found in two areas of the park site. material is excessive. The high marsh is land below the spring high tide eleva- Sand - Below the clay layer is a zone of calcareous fine tion, hosts such high marsh vegetation as sea oxeye, to medium sand. The material is firm and has a presump- groundsel tree, sea lavender, and coastal salt grass, pro- tive bearing capacity of 1/2 to 2 tons per square foot. vides a habitat for fiddler crabs and is considered a Thickness varies from 3 to 25 feet. "Critical Area" by the SCCC. The council may be willing to Marl - The lowest soil unit consists of a thick stiff to permit some development in this area. The vegetation is firm greenish brown calcareous clayey silt (locally called growing in fill composed of a mixture of tires, bricks and marl and is part of the Cooper Formation). Many of the soils. buildings in Charleston are founded in this soil unit as it is The low marsh is land below the elevation of mean high the most suitable bearing material in the soil profile. tide, includes such vegetation as saltmarsh cordgrass, pro - vides a habitat for mussels and oysters, and is a SCCC *Penetration Resistance is the number of blows per foot a 2-inch outside "Critical Area" of high productivity. The general policy of diameter Split Spoon Sampler is driven 12 inches with a 140-pound the Council is not to allow development in the low weight freely falling 30 inches. marsh. The only acceptable justification for intrusion into the marsh is public benefit. The negative impact resulting from destruction of the marsh would have to be weighed The preliminary subsurface data indicate the presence of against the public benefit gained from access to and open thick deposits of highly compressible low-strength, organic space along the waterfront. clay characteristic of river estuaries. The two critical design The tidal flat is land between the low marsh and the issues, slope stability and settlement potential, are impor- elevation of mean low tide, provides a habitat for snails, tant considerations in the development of the park de- clams and crabs and is not a SCCC "Critical Area". A per- sign, specifically in the feasibility of filling, bulkheading mit for wharf development in the tidal flat can probably and/or rip rap. be obtained. At present, the South Carolina Department Step Two: Pilot Borings and Tests of Health and Environmental Control has closed this por- To resolve these design issues, a pilot boring program tion of the Cooper River for shellfishing because of poor was implemented in May 1980 to conduct an initial field water quality. investigation, sampling and lab testing program. This pilot study is in progress. The results will provide recommenda- tions on foundation design. Elements in the alternatives to be discussed will include proposals for 2 to 5 feet of fill, Appendix B Soil Considerations small retaining walls (less than 5 feet in height), decorative stairs and decorative rigid pavements, and other features, Step One: Existing Subsurface Boring, Geologic and such as walls, fountains, etc. Also to be considered within Testing Data Adjacent to the Park Site. these alternatives will be sheet pile bulkhead containment 1) Adger's Wharf, at the southern end of the park site, of fills and open structures, piers and docks constructed in by Soil Consultants, Inc., 1979 (6 borings); deeper waters. 2) Proposed parking garage complex, between Vendue Three cross-section lines have been positioned in Range, Middle Atlantic Wharf, Prioleau and ConcordThecrs-ctolishaebnpstoedn Range, bMiddle Atlantic Wharf, Prioleau and Concord strategic locations for the. step two pilot boring program Streets, by Soil Consultants, Inc., 1964 (2 borings); for the park site (See Figure B-3). At the time of this 3) S.C. State Ports Authority Office Building, off Concord writing, borings BI to B4 and B8 are on file at Sasaki Street, by Soil Consultants, Inc., 1971 (5 borings); Associates, Inc. The results of the investigation confirm 4) S.C. State Ports Authority Passenger Terminal, by Soil the general subsurface soil conditions observed in the Consultants, Inc., 1971 (7 borings); preliminary analysis (Step 1). These boring logs and reports indicate that the area Throughout this step two investigation and analysis, the probably consists of four major soil units: fill, organic clay, selected park design alternatives will be analyzed in terms sand, and marl (Cooper Formation). A brief description of of settlement, slope failure potential and foundation bear- the units follows. In addition, the location and thickness ing capacity. The implications of geotechnical conditions of the four units are illustrated in graphic form. will be examined and utilized to develop cost-effective Fill - This material consists primarily of rock, brick, coal, resolutions to the foundation problems. English rock cobbles, slag, some wood in a matrix of The following summary provides resolutions to pertinent gravel, sand and clay. Thickness of this unit varies from 8 design issues. to 23 feet and is generally loose. The material will handle light structures provided the fill is compacted, contains no 59 37.1 T ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~ -,~~~~~~~~~~~~~24.5 COOPER RIVER ;32.I Marsh Assessment CHARLESTON _ ~~~~~~~~~WATERFRONT PARK Figure FA-3 I 60 #1.0* CI~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~7a ril. 4 I- Figure A-4, Generalized Marsh Profile Laj h ~ 4 Lgn Wma ~ wayl ~&th 4-( ~~ devdoprnon a, c~ ,vyob ---Realize ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A~t- ~L- emp- 4gn4,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~6 COOPER RIVER b~oring Locations CHARLESTON WATERFRONT PARK Figure B-i, 62 I~~~~~~~~~~B 0.0 70.0-:!.) n, MLW~~~l .9 c k- W -a. 0,- --~~~~O.fa 0oA'-Ma /4L~~~~~~~KC DlAW~~~~~~00 00 . /2' %o oAmk,'l .010:0:0 ci AKlqa)/twD :00 i~ 000~~77 1q71 III.I 000 I A 1OA 4 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 * . . * * . * ~ Q',, 00 0 Q<~7~4~ ,~.. Ocawc 20.0-n ,~~~~7 o ~Aia - , .1 Figure B-2, Borings 1-4~~~~~~~~ :. ______________ **-*. *. ))I~~~~~~~~~~ti5L'6 COOP ER RIVER * CHARLESTON WATERFRONT PARK Pilot Boring Program Figure B-3, 64 Design Issues and Resolutions � Recommended slope in the channel between the * Borings completed to date confirm the existence of shore and marsh island is 5 horizontal to 1 vertical. fill and soft compressible silt to elevation - 40 (msl) This corresponds to a channel width of 90 feet. Bor- in Borings B1, B2, B3, and B4. ings indicate that channel excavation may still be in * Cooper Formation below the silt is known to be fill and not soft silt material. several hundred feet thick. � Recommended slopes for dredging in the com- * Cooper Formation shear strength estimated to be pressible soft silts below the watersheet is 10 2500 psf; most structures in Charleston founded in horizontal to 1 vertical. this material. � Surcharging is necessary in all areas where existing * Recommended penetration depth in Cooper Forma- fill does not lie directly over silt prior to construc- tion is 10-15 feet. tion to provide adequate bearing capacity and slope * Shear strength of compressible soft silt estimated to stability for sloped edge protection and to minimize be about 400 psf. at mid-depth. The strength settlement potential of fill. generally increases with depth. � Cv for silt is 2-5 ft.2/year in areas where silt is not overlain by any existing fill. � Settlement potential of the site is as follows: - In areas where fill exists over the soft silt, we can expect 8 to 10 inches of uniform settlement. Three to four feet of surcharge will be necessary to minimize post construction settlements. (One to two inches of differential settlement) - In areas where fill does not exist over soft silt, we can expect 2.5 to 3 feet of settlement to complete 100 percent consolidation over a 96 year period. * Settlement of silt in areas where there is no existing fill overburden can be accelerated by providing "wick" drains and sand layer plus a surcharge of 5 to 6 feet of fill. Time rate of consolidation can be somewhat controlled by spacing of the drains. Recommended spacing is somewhere between 3 to 7 feet on center. * Settlement platforms and other instrumentation is recommended to monitor progress of consolidation. * Minimal consolidation is desired in areas overlying utilities. It is recommended that lightweight fill be utilized along with lightweight concrete slab. Paving stone may be placed over the slab. The slab will be designed to bridge 3-foot voids (approximately an 8-inch slab with #6 rebars each way) should they form in the underlying fill material. Limit of lightweight fill will be at the edge of existing shoreline. * Relocating utilities may be necessary. * A 3:1 slope should be considered for edge treat- ment using a precast interlocking concrete panel, overlying a graded filter with filter cloth and either standard or lightweight fill. * The steps located next to the, pier must be con- structed on piles. * The foundation and trough areas must also be founded on piles. * All piles must be concrete and be a minimum of 70 feet in length. Piles may be larger than 70 for the proposed wharf if the bearing material (Cooper For- mation) increases in depth toward the centerline of the Cooper River. This provides a minimum of 15 feet of penetration into the Cooper Formation, nine feet of exposed length in the wharf, assuming a 40-ton pile, and rectangular 14-inch concrete pile. Local contractors are capable of driving 70-foot piles without splicing. 65 Appendix C-Landscape Vocabulary For The Charleston S.C. Area** Salt Tolerant Trees Species Type Height Callistemon citrinus Evergreen 20' Bottlebrush Ficus carica Evergreen 30' Edible fig Ilex vomitoria* Evergreen 5-15' Yaupon Juniperus silicicola Evergreen 50' Southern Redcedar Magnolia gradiflora Evergreen 60' Southern Magnolia Myrica cerifera Evergreen 25' Wax Myrtle Pinus elliotii Evergreen 100' Slash Pine Pinus thunbergiana* Evergreen 130' Japanese Black Pine Quercus virginiana Evergreen 60' Live Oak Moderately Salt Tolerant Trees Eriobotrya japonica Evergreen 25' Loquat Ilex cassine* Evergreen 40' Cassine Koelreuteria elegans Deciduous 60' Goldenrain Tree Ligustrum lucidum Evergreen 30' Glossy Privet Liquidambar styraciflua Deciduous 120' Sweet Gum Parkinsonia aculeata* Deciduous 20' Jerusalem Thorn Persea borbonia Evergreen 40' Florida Bay Platanus occidentalis Deciduous 150' Eastern Sycamore Platycladus orientalis Evergreen 40' Arborvitae Podocarpus nagi Evergreen 90' Broadleaf Podocarpus Quercus laurifolia Semi-Evergreen 60' Laurel Oak **Barrick, William E., Salt Tolerant Plants for Florida Landscapes, Report *Recommended for use in the waterfront park area of Charleston, Numb er 28, State University System of Florida, Sea Grant College Pro 66 others for use further inland. Species Type Height Quercus nigra Semi-Evergreen 80' Water Oak Robinia pseudoacacia Deciduous 80' Black locust Sapium sebiferum* Deciduous 40' Chinese Tallow Tree Slightly Salt Tolerant Trees Cinnamomum camphora Evergreen 100' Camphor Tree Populus alba Deciduous 90' Poplar Prunus caroliniana Evergreen 40' Cherry Laurel Salix spp. Deciduous Var Willow Taxodium distichum Deciduous 150' Cypress Ulmus parvifolia Deciduous 50' Chinese Elm Ulmus pumila Deciduous 25' Siberian Elm Salt Tolerant Palms Sabal palmetto* Evergreen 90' Cabbage Palm Serenoa repens Evergreen 6' Saw Palmetto Washingtonia robusta Evergreen 60' Washington Palm Moderately Salt Tolerant Palms Butia capitata Evergreen 20' Pindo Palm Chamaerops humilis Evergreen 15' European Fan Palm Slightly Salt Tolerant Palms Cycas revoluta Evergreen 10' Japonese Sago Palm Fatsia japonica* Evergreen 20' Japanese Fatsia Feijoa sellowiana Evergreen 18' Pineapple Guava *Recommended for use in the waterfront park area of Charleston, others for use further inland. 67 Species Type Height Salt Tolerant Shrubs Agave americana Evergreen 5' Century Plant Baccharis halimifolia Evergreen 12' Sea Myrtle or Groundsel Tree Cortaderia selloana Evergreen 10' Pampas Grass Elaeagnus pungens Evergreen 15' Thorny Elaeagnus Lantana camara Evergreen 4' Yellow Sage Nerium oleander Evergreen 20' Oleander Pittosporum tobira Evergreen 18' Pittosporum Uniola paniculata Evergreen 8' Sea Oats Yucca aloifolia* Evergreen 25' Spanish Bayonet Yucca smalliana Evergreen 2' Adam's Needle Moderately Salt Tolerant Shrubs Bambusa spp. Evergreen Var Bamboo Callicarpa americana Deciduous 6' Beautyberry Callistemon rigidus Evergreen 15' Bottlebrush Ilex cornuta "Burfordii" Evergreen 20' Chinese Holly Ilex glabra Evergreen 10' Gallberry Jasminum floridum Evergreen 4' Jasmine Juniperus chinensis Evergreen 5' 'Hertzii' Hertzii Juniper Juniperus chinensis Evergreen 6' 'Pfitzerana' Pfitzer Juniper Justicia brandegeana Evergreen 3' Shrimp Plant Lagerstroemia indicia Deciduous 20' Cape Myrtle *Recommended for use in the waterfront park area of Charleston, others for use further inland. 68 Species Type Height Ligustrum japonicum Evergreen 10' Wax Leaf Privet Ligustrum vulgare Deciduous 15' Common Privet Mahonia bealei Evergreen 7' Oregon Grape Malvaviscus arboreus* Evergreen 10' Wax Mallow Podocarpus macrophyllus* Evergreen 45' Southern Yew Pyracantha koidsumii Evergreen 12' Fire Thorn Raphiolepis indicia Evergreen 5' Indian Hawthorn Rosa spp. Variable Var Rose Severinia buxifolia Evergreen 6' Chinese Box Orange Viburnum odoratissimum Evergreen 20' Sweet Viburnum Viburnum suspensum Evergreen 6' Sandankawa Viburnum Vitex trifolia 'Variegata' Evergreen 20' Chaste Tree Slightly Salt Tolerant Shrubs Camellia japonica Evergreen 45' Camellia Camellia sasanqua Evergreen 15' Sasanqua Camellia Gardenia jasminoides Evergreen 6' Common Gardenia Juniperus chinensis Evergreen Var Juniper Osmanthus fragrans Evergreen 30' Fragrant Olive Rhododendron indicium Evergreen 6' Azalea Salt Tolerant Vines, Ground Covers and Dwarf Shrubs Cynodon dactylon Evergreen 16" Bermuda Grass Ficus pumila* Evergreen 6" Creeping Fig *Recommended for use in the waterfront park area of Charleston, others for use further inland. 69 Species Type Height Hedera canariensis* Evergreen 6" Algerian Ivy Hedera helix* Evergreen 3" English Ivy Hemerocallis spp.* Evergreen 3' Daylily Juniperus conferta* Evergreen 18" Shore Juniper Liriope spicata* Evergreen 10" Creeping Liriope Ophiopogon japonicus* Evergreen 10" Dwarf-Lily-Turf Osmunda regalis* Deciduous 6' Royal Fern Parthenocissus quinquefolia Deciduous 6" Virginia Creeper Stenotaphrum secondatum Evergreen 6" St. Augustine Grass Zamia integrifolia Evergreen 2' Coontie Zoysia japonica Evergreen 9" Korean Grass Moderately Salt Tolerant Vines, Ground Covers & Dwarf Shrubs Agapanthus africansus Evergreen 2' African Lily Aspidistra elatior Evergreen 3' Cast-Iron Plant Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda' Evergreen 3' Dwarf Chinese Holly Liriope muscari* Evergreen 1 ' Lily-Turf Lonicera japonica Evergreen Var Japanese Honeysuckle Trachelosperum jasminoides Evergreen Var Confederate Jasmine Slightly Salt Tolerant Vines, Ground Covers & Dwarf Shrubs Buxus spp. Evergreen Var Boxwood Campsis radicans Deciduous Var Trumpet Vine Eremochloa ophiuroides Evergreen 4' Centipede Grass *Recommended for use in the waterfront park area of Charleston, others for use further inland. 70 Bibliography 1. History Charleston Historical Commission, "Some Charleston Wharves," Year Book, City of Charleston, S.C. 1936, Charleston, S.C. 1936. City of Charleston, Factors and Commission Merchants Historic District; National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form, Charleston, S.C. 1978. City Planning and Architectural Associates for the City of Charleston, Historic Preservation Plan, Charleston, S.C. June 1974. Edgar, Walter B., Editor, The Letterbook of Robert Pringle, Volume I (April 2, 1737-September 25, 1742) and Volume II (October 9, 1742-April 29, 1745), Published for South Carolina Historical Society and the South Carolina Tricentennial Commission by the University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, S.C., 1972. Hatch, Charles E. Jr., "An Old Wharf at Yorktown, Va.," William and Mary Quarterly, Series 2, Vol. 22, 1942. Marion, John Francis, The Charleston Story, Scenes from a City's History, Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa. 1978. Small, Edwin W. "Early Wharf Building," U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Eastern National Park and Monument Association 1970. The State, The Columbia Record, The Settling of South Carolina, Tricentennial Editions, Columbia, S.C., September 14-15, 1969. 2. Planning Urban Design/Park Design Reconnaissance Barton-Aschman Associates for the City of Charleston, South Carolina, Archdale/Meeting Street District; District Plan and Program, Charleston Commercial Revitalization Program, Charleston, S.C., March 1977. Barton-Aschman Associates for the City of Charleston, South Carolina, Concept Plan, Charleston Commercial Revitalization Program, Charleston, S.C., March 1977. Barton-Aschman Associates for the City of Charleston, South Carolina, Gateway District, District Plan and Program, Charleston Com- mercial Revitalization Program, Charleston, S.C., March 1977. Barton-Aschman Associates for the City of Charleston, South Carolina, Implementation Plan, Charleston Commercial Revitalization Pro- gram, Charleston, S.C., March 1980. Barton-Aschman Associates for the City of Charleston, South Carolina, Lower King Street District, District Plan and Program, Charleston Commercial Revitalization Program, Charleston, S.C., March 1977. Barton-Aschman Associates for the City of Charleston, South Carolina, Market District, District Plan and Program, Charleston Commer- dal Revitalization Program, Charleston, S.C., March 1977. Barton-Aschman Associates for the City of Charleston, South Carolina, Upper King/Marion Square District, District Plan and Program, Charleston Commercial Revitalization Program, Charleston, S.C., March 1977. Barton-Aschman Associates for Charleston County Park, Recreation and Tourist Commission, Summary Report - Tourism Impact and Management Study, Charleston, South Carolina, February 1978. Hardy, Holzman, Pfeiffer Associates for the Charleston County Park, Recreation and Tourist Commission, Visitor Reception Center, Charleston, South Carolina, November 1979. HLW/Planning Partnership, Issues, A Statement and Assessment of Issues to be Considered in Raising the City's Zoning Ordinance, Charleston, S.C., December 1978. HLW/Planning Partnership, for the City of Charleston, Phase II Report Charleston Zoning Ordinance Revision, Recommendations on Basic Development Controls and Special Zoning Approaches, Charleston, S.C. September 1979. Lockwood Greene for the National Park Service, Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina, Concord Street Site, Charleston, S.C. July 1978. 3. Transportation Evaluation Barton-Aschman Associates, Inc., for the Project Advisory Committee, Charleston Central Area Transit Study, Internal Travel Memoran- dum, Charleston, S.C., June 29, 1979. Barton-Aschman Associates, Inc., for the Berkeley Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, Draft Final Report, Charleston Cen- tral Area Transit Study, Charleston, S.C., February 1980. City of Charleston, Supplement to Final Environmental Impact Statement, Charleston Center, Charleston, S.C., 1979. City of Charleston, "Draft Contract for Traffic Study with Wilbur Smith and Associates", Charleston, S.C., October 1979. 4. Environmental Evaluation Act 123 of the 1977 South Carolina General Assembly, Concerning Coastal Zone Management. Barrick, William E., Salt Tolerant Plants for Florida Landscapes, Report Number 28, State University System of Florida, Sea Grant College Program, July 1979. Office of Coastal Zone Management and South Carolina Coastal Council, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed Coastal Management Program for the State of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C. June 1979, plus maps. S.C. Coastal Council, Permitting Rules and Regulations. S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, Water Classification Standards System for the State of South Carolina, 1977. S.C. Marine Research and Conservation Foundation, A Recreational Guide to Oystering, Clamming, Shrimping, and Crabbing in South Carolina. S.C. Pollution Control Authority, Stream Classifications for the State of South Carolina, 1972. SCWRC, Coastal Mapping: A Seminar in the Technical and Legal Aspects of Surveying in the S.C. Coastal Region, December 1974. SCWRC, Report No. 131, Cooper River Controlled Low-Flow Study, September 1979. SCWRC Report No. 117, Cooper River Environmental Study, April 1974. SCWRC, University of S.C., National Weather Service, South Carolina Precipitation, 1970. 71 SCWRC, National Weather Service, S.C. Crop Reporting Service, State of South Carolina Weather and Crop Summaries, 1974. SCWRC, Report No. 120, Wando River Aerial Imagery and Marsh Productivity Study, July 1975. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, Soil Survey for Charleston County, S.C., 1971. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Survey, Tide Tables 1980, High and Low Water Predictions, East Coast of North and South America Including Greenland, Rockville, Maryland, 1979. 5. Modern Maps, Plans, Aerial Photogsaphy, and Ordinances City of Charleston, Department of Public Service Engineering Division, "Hazel V. Parker Playground Layout and Paving Plan," July 1979. City of Charleston, "Zoning Ordinance", Charleston, S.C. 1979. Listing of Available Aerial Photography for Charleston County. NOAA Nautical Chart Catalog 1 Atlantic and Gulf Coasts NOAA Navigation Charts of Charleston Harbor and Charleston Harbor Entrance 1:20,000. 6. Historic Maps, Engravings, and Photography Bird's Eye View of Charleston, 1872, drawn and published by C. Drie. Charleston, South Carolina 1850 view north. City of Charleston, South Carolina, Aquatint engraved by W.J. Bennett, 1853. Published by L.P. Clover, New York. An Exact Prospect of Charles Town, The Metropolis of the Province of South Carolina, 1762. The Ichnography of Charles Town at High Water by G.H. Hunter 1739. Map of Charleston and Its Vicinity Showing the Original Settlement of 1670 at Albemarle Point - The Oyster Point Settlement of 1672 and Subsequent Extensions of 1783 and 1849 prepared to accompany Naya Courtenay's Centennial Address August 13, 1883. A Plan of Charlestown 1704. Views from St. Michael's Church, looking toward the Exchange and Cooper River, at the time of the Civil War. 72 ~~~~~~~~~~I! ~~~~~~~~~II ~~~if ~ ~~~~~~lifilfll 3 6800130