Riley speaks on Daniel Island's future

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley told the Daniel Island business community that he hoped to work with the developers of the island's remaining property to secure locations for future projects, including a high school.

Riley made the remarks last week when speaking to about 30 members of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce's Daniel Island Area Council at its annual council meeting in the Daniel Island branch of the Berkeley County Library.

The 5,000-acre Guggenheim family property along Clements Ferry Road isn't scheduled for development for quite some time, Riley said.

"But I feel that's the best location for a high school and perhaps another elementary school," Riley said. "I will work very hard ... with them and try to find a site or some sites that would clearly not do violence to any reasonable master plan in the future, but I think that's down the road."

Nearly 130 kindergartners plan to attend Daniel Island Elementary School next fall, said Chester Floyd, Berkeley County School District superintendent. It won't be long before the Daniel Island and Cainhoy area population would support a high school on its own.

"We will need it before we build it," Floyd said.

A high school and its associated fields and parking lots would require 70-100 acres. The large undeveloped area is about the only location where Berkeley County schools could find the needed space.

Even if the district found a site, Floyd said, the district lacks the money to build a high school now.

Currently, Daniel Island students attend Hanahan High School, while some also attend private schools, such as Bishop England High School, which is on the island. Hanahan High School operates at capacity, and Floyd said teachers may have to begin sharing classrooms next fall.

Chad Vail, Daniel Island Academy operating partner, said he hopes that a public high school would open on or near the island by the time his three children (the oldest is 6) are freshmen. He purposefully bought his Daniel Island home near the current Daniel Island Middle and Elementary School, which he said people describe as the island's lighthouse.

Securing a high school and perhaps an additional elementary school is just part of the island's future.

Finding a place to build a fire station for Engine 20 remains a top priority. Riley planned to work with the Daniel Island Co., the island's developer, to find a place to build a fire station, moving the engine eastward from its leased building near the Daniel Island Marina off Clements Ferry Road. Riley said he would like a location closer to residential developments, such as The Peninsula on Clements Ferry Road.

Reach Jessica Johnson at 937-5921 or jjohnson@postandcourier.com.