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Council approves Senate Street one-way change and issues pedicab RFP; mixed votes on additional decals
Summary
Council approved converting a segment near Senate Street to one-way and authorized an RFP to add six nighttime pedicab decals, increasing potential nighttime pedicabs from 30 to 36; the pedicab RFP drew dissent with two recorded no votes and at least one abstention.
Charleston City Council on March 11 approved a set of traffic and transportation items including converting part of Senate Street to one-way and issuing an RFP for six additional nighttime pedicab decals.
Councilman Mitchell's neighborhood reported support for making a narrow block of Senate Street one-way to reduce congestion; council approved that change after the neighborhood association endorsed the move and no public opposition was recorded at the hearing.
On pedicabs, council authorized the administration to issue an RFP to add up to six nighttime pedicab decals. Staff explained the existing program: 30 nighttime decals are currently authorized (divided in practice among three companies during the day/night program framework) under five-year agreements that are in year four of the cycle. The RFP would allow the number of nighttime decals to increase to up to 36 if the procurement yields successful bidders. The vote to move forward with the RFP passed; the meeting record shows two members voted no (Council Member Sikkens and Mayor William S. Cogswell) and Councilman Mitchell announced he would abstain.
Council debate reflected differing views about demand and neighborhood impacts. Councilman Edward Waring, who opposed adding many more decals at times in the past, said the need for more pedicabs "has not been called for by the people that we represent," and argued the city should not expand supply absent clear constituent demand. Councilman Gregory said he supported letting the market decide, noting entrepreneurs ready to risk capital.
Separately, TNT committee updates included the bike-share pilot on King Street and adjustments to the pilot at Calhoun Street; staff said they will seek to finalize permanent arrangements and invited input from council members representing affected districts.
Next steps: procurement staff will issue the RFP and unseal bids as required; the Senate Street change will be implemented per traffic department scheduling and signaling requirements; council indicated it may consider parking/route restrictions if pedicab locations become a concern.
