Bridge walkers' shrine?Omar Temple lot could be parking option if Patriots Point Blvd. shoulders closed By Prentiss Findlay (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
MOUNT PLEASANT — Town Councilman Nick Collins and an Omar Shrine Temple official on Tuesday discussed allowing Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge runners and walkers a new parking option: the Temple's sprawling lot. 
Tyrone Walker After parking and stretching, Alva Caple of Mount Pleasant crosses Patriots Point Boulevard to jog the Ravenel Bridge on Tuesday. If an agreement is reached, Collins said it would mean ample free parking even closer to the bridge than the Patriots Point Boulevard shoulders now used. "It's a lot safer," he said. Collins said that he had the support of Police Chief Harry Sewell and Town Administrator Mac Burdette in his talks with Shrine Temple officials. The Temple parking lot can accommodate more than 300 cars, he said. "We're talking," said high-ranking Shriner Verle Bohrn, who holds the position of Temple recorder. Relieving Shrine Temple management of liability for any mishap on its property involving bridge runners and walkers is a major concern, Bohrn said. Otherwise, "I don't have a problem with it," he said. Previous StoriesCouncil may discuss bridge-area parking, published 11/09/08 Bridge parking sparks debate; Business operators question proposal to ban use of Patriots Point Blvd., published 10/08/08 Bridge walkers may lose free parking, published 10/07/08 Currently, most runners and walkers opt to park on both sides of Patriots Point Boulevard along a 500-foot stretch of road near Coleman Boulevard. While that is convenient, police have described the situation as dangerous and recommend that boulevard shoulder parking be banned by the middle of next year. The town has a free designated bridge parking area that is a half-mile down the boulevard at athletic fields near Patriots Points Naval & Maritime Museum. Shriner Danny Bliss said, "Some people park here anyhow. People need to be healthy. Get them off this road." Parking at the Shrine Temple instead of on the boulevard shoulder would be good for the Shriners, too, Bliss said, because the cars left on the roadside by bridge runners and walkers create blind spots for Shriners pulling out of their parking lot. 
Tyrone Walker A pedestrian crosses Patriots Point Road after parking along the road near Coleman Boulevard on Tuesday. The town plans to close the boulevard to roadside parking when its new Memorial Waterfront Park opens near the bridge next May or June. There would be a charge to park there. After October's Town Council meeting, Sewell sent a memo to Burdette stating that because of safety concerns, runners and walkers on the bridge should be banned from parking on the boulevard shoulder near Coleman Boulevard except during special events. "I recommend that we eliminate all on-street parking on Patriots Point Boulevard excecpt during special events," Sewell said in the Oct. 13 memo to Burdette. The next day, Burdette said in a memo to Town Council, "Staff strongly believes that on-street parking along Patriots Point Boulevard from Coleman Boulevard to at least the golf green (across from Shrine Temple), should be eliminated once our park is completed regardless of parking fees." Town officials are considwering parking fees to recoup the estimated $350,000 cost of operating and maintaining the new park. |
Article tools
|
|
Notice about comments: Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. |
Comments
This article has 6 comment(s)
|
Posted by islandbenzbc on November 12, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Finally someone in MP is using their heads instead of trying to figure out a way to enhance revenue at the expense of the citizens...BRAVO!!!
Posted by wjhamilton3 on November 12, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Had the park been built to serve the community instead of tourists and development, operation costs would have been lower. The town builds roads constantly, but doesn't worry about how to pay for the firemen (who provide rescue response to accidents more than they fight fires), police and public works (accident cleanup). To the Mayor sprawl and the automobile are the desired destiny for Mt. Pleasant.
In the end, Harry Hallman doesn't really understand how community works. Bringing people together in a place they enjoy to build stronger social connections isn't part of his reality. He just wants to drive sprawl out to the raw land and sell it to make money for his friends. That stopped working more than two years ago, but he knows nothing else.
A sailing center for the town's teens, Kayak Launch for the community, a water feature play area for young children, a small amphitheater and a dog park were all planned for the park under the bridge. Each of those things would have enriched life in Mt. Pleasant. None of them was an important as building a front lawn for the Mayor's doomed convention center.
The town had few remaining opportunities to do things to increase its quality of life before it ran out of money. Now that it's broke, this is what we get.
Hallman dismissed the bridge walkway as a waste of money when people were fighting for it. Now he claims to have supported it.
We should have held our town to a higher standard. However, they ignored protests, petitions, letters to the editor and hundreds of citizens at meetings and forums.
Perhaps we'll do better in the Town's next election in November 2009 if the next administration can do anything but tweak where it cuts its budget.
If North Charleston gets off the ground and Daniel Island comes back, I don't see how the town can catch up. Skipping a real effort to recruit industry, tax base and investment for eight years was a huge mistake. Hallman said he wanted Mt. Pleasant to be a bedroom community. He and Burdette sure have put it to sleep.
Higher taxes for less may be the town's only option.
Posted by Tides on November 12, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The people, NOT Mt Pleasant Politicians, own their government. Mt Please WILL DO what the people want! I hope they understand this.
Posted by SCgal on November 12, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
IMO, November 2009 cannot arrive soon enough!
We need leaders who can design, plan, implement, and stick to what is stated for the people!
IMO, we also need leaders who can think proactive with developments and roads prior to project start--
How many roads, developments, et. al have been completed only to go back and figure out what needs to be considered now that the project is completed ie. traffic lights, parking, road openings, more research and development needs to be placed on how the project will impact the locality and what future needs should be addressed and included in the original project plans! ie. the bridge and parking!!
Posted by wjhamilton3 on November 12, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there any fresh talent willing to run for Town Council in Mt. Pleasant? We really need a smart, dynamic Mayor.
Hallman was warned that pushing sprawl into the woods would leave the town broke eight years ago.
We should be vetting some fresh blood now. How about some people under 40 with kids in Public School?
Posted by bigwhip on November 12, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why don't you offer to run wj? You sound as if you have all the answers. And islandbenz, this is probably the first time Mr. Collins has exercised any inititive since he got on council. They live good over there and will probably be asking for a millage increase soon.