Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Committee authorizes MOA with Holiday Inn owner; owners would fund acquisition and grant public walkway access
Loading...
Summary
Committee approved a memorandum of agreement with Ashley Riverview Holdings LLC that would let the city participate in acquiring a marsh parcel for a Holiday Inn pier; the hotel owners would fund acquisition and grant a perpetual public-access easement, and staff said any condemnation would be returned to council for separate approval.
The Charleston City Committee on Real Estate on April 27 authorized a memorandum of agreement with Ashley Riverview Holdings LLC tied to a planned renovation of the Holiday Inn and a proposed extension of a pier into an adjacent marsh parcel.
Copeland, the presenting staff member, said the Holiday Inn owner has struggled to acquire the marsh parcel from the Spanos family and asked the city to ‘‘step in and assist since we have eminent domain powers.’’ She said the public purpose would be to create connectivity between Highway 61 and the Arc Bridge and that the hotel owners would finance any acquisition and grant the city a perpetual public-access easement to the pier head. Copeland added the owners would contribute half of the pier building/floaters toward the connectivity project.
Committee members asked a few clarifying questions and the item passed by voice vote. Copeland emphasized that the memorandum would allow the city to participate in acquisition up to and including condemnation but that any actual condemnation would be brought back to the council for a separate vote.
Next steps: Real estate staff and city legal will finalize the memorandum, draft the public-access easement language and return to council if condemnation appears necessary.
