City staff on Oct. 14 updated Charleston City Council on ongoing Church Creek watershed projects, including property acquisitions, demolition of flood-damaged structures, wetland restoration and planned park improvements.

The city reported it has acquired multiple properties — including Bridgepointe townhomes — removed damaged structures and is converting selected parcels to flood storage with ecological benefits under a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. Parks staff are installing playground equipment and walking-trail enhancements at the Bridgepointe site.

Officials said purchase-and-sale agreements are in place for additional land near Crosstown Church south of Bees Ferry Road and that the city is in design and permitting for a project to remove fill and restore wetland function to increase flood storage. The work ties to a broader package, including the Lake Dotterer project and related flow-control improvements that involve Charleston County ARPA funding.

Why it matters: council members described Church Creek as a long-standing flood concern for downstream neighborhoods; the projects aim to reduce flood peaks and improve ecological function while creating passive park space.

Funding and scope: a councilmember asked about the TIF balance for stormwater work; staff said the TIF contains a "significant amount" and estimated it "somewhere between $10,000,000 and $25,000,000" but said they would confirm the exact figure. Councilmember comments and residents' remarks at the meeting emphasized the importance of completing surveys and clarifying boundaries for cemeteries in the Honey Hill area as part of broader land-use planning.

Ending: Council members thanked staff for the update and encouraged continued coordination on acquisition, design and community communication. Staff said additional acquisitions and construction are expected to continue through the calendar year.