Committee authorizes mayor to sign five-year agreement giving Explore Charleston management of Visitor Center garage

The Committee on Real Estate voted to authorize the mayor to execute a five-year management operating agreement with Explore Charleston to operate the Visitor Center parking garage.

The agreement, approved by voice vote, would set a baseline amount for annual garage revenue and provide that the next $450,000 goes to the city, with revenues above that split with the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB/CACVB). The contract term is five years, and either party may terminate the agreement for convenience; if approved by ordinance, management would begin May 1.

Why it matters: The garage is a significant revenue source and a high-traffic entry point for visitors. Committee members said the current manager, ABM, has had operational problems in the past during large events and that a locally based manager might both improve operations and increase net revenue to the city.

The mayor (speaking for the administration) described the deal as a trial to see if Explore Charleston’s closer proximity and hands-on approach would improve operations and revenue. "We can terminate this agreement," the mayor said, noting the five-year term and convenience-termination language included in the contract.

Councilman Greg pressed for financial detail before final council action, asking for a year-over-year revenue comparison and projections for how the new arrangement would affect the city’s budget. "For me to feel comfortable voting on this, I would like to see a comparison of year-over-year parking revenues associated with this facility and what we project under this agreement," Councilman Greg said. Staff replied that 2025 revenue was "right around $2 million" and that a five-year historical average is about $1.75 million, and they committed to provide a three-year comparison and projections ahead of the second reading.

Members also asked about the relationship with ABM under the new arrangement; staff explained the city would remove this deck from ABM’s management and the management agreement would be with the CVB if the CVB elects to contract with Explore Charleston. Councilman Keith Wearing recounted past problems with a city tenant that raised public-safety concerns and said Explore Charleston’s proximity to the site made them a logical manager for day-to-day oversight.

The committee directed staff to provide financial benchmarking and projections to the committee, and noted quarterly payments and reporting could be required in addition to annual reporting tied to the city’s fiscal year. The committee called the question and approved the authorization by voice vote; the item will proceed as an ordinance and require a subsequent council vote for final adoption.

The committee did not record a roll-call tally; the vote was taken by voice.