Battle over rail heats up
County Council opposes access from north end of old base
By David Slade
The belated efforts to provide rail access to the port facility planned at the old Naval Base have spawned a bitter political conflict.
The port plan did not originally include on-site rail, but rail is now seen as a necessity, raising questions about where to route the freight trains. The outcome will shape the future of the port and communities in Charleston and North Charleston.
The Post and Courier
Councilman Elliott Summey opposes a plan to allow rail access from the north end of the former Navy base to the new port because he said it would disrupt development. Here, he walks in one of the areas of concern .
One issue is a state effort, opposed by the city of North Charleston, to consider providing rail access to the new terminal through the north end of the former Navy base, potentially disrupting several of the city's top redevelopment initiatives.
Opponents say that creating two near-port rail yards on the eastern side of the Neck Area would better serve the port, preserve North Charleston's interests, and reduce truck traffic.
Charleston County Council weighed in on the growing conflict Thursday, with a near-unanimous recommendation backing North Charleston's position. The resolution was introduced by Councilman Elliott Summey, son of North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey.
Councilman Paul Thurmond declined to vote, saying later that he needed more information, and Councilman Henry Darby was absent. The remaining seven council members voted for the resolution. The measure will get a second vote when County Council meets Tuesday.
"The intent of the resolution is to say that, first of all, the port needs rail in order to survive," said Councilman Summey. "We also need to respect the quality of life for our citizens. Here's a way to get it done."
The resolution says Charleston County opposes state legislation that could allow rail access from the north end of the base to the new terminal. The resolution supports development of intermodal rail yards at the Macalloy and Promenade sites.
The 135-acre Macalloy site sits across Shipyard Creek from the old Navy base. Using that site would require moving a yet-unbuilt access road, a project finally moving forward after years of being mired in permitting and planning.
Promenade, a 200-acre site located off Morrison Drive, just north of the Ravenel Bridge's East Bay off-ramp in Charleston, is the site of Charleston County's former Romney Street and Holston landfills. Until recently, it was touted as the future home of a mixed-use development with 1,500 hotel, condo and townhouse units, and a large amphitheater.
Shipyard Creek Associates now controls an interest in both properties, and local developer Robert Clement has been promoting plans to create the two rail yards supported by County Council. The idea is that the sites would together give the two major rail carriers, CSX and Norfolk Southern, access to the new terminal.
Clement said that shifting development plans for Promenade from hotels and condos to a rail yard "seemed better for the community, and better for the state."
Clement said the plan would reduce truck traffic, use an existing rail line between upper King and Meeting streets, and avoid harm to the Noisette development and a Clemson facility on the old base.
The state action opposed in the County Council resolution refers to a bill backed by Rep. Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island, and Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, that could open to door to transferring an existing rail line and right of way at the north end of the base to a state-run railway operator.
Merrill said the goal is to make sure one rail carrier, CSX, does not get a monopoly on the new terminal. He said the state legislation appears to have pushed opponents of the northern access option to find other ways to create duel access.
"Until we put that (legislation) in there, nobody was even doing any talking, of any substance," Merrill said.
"I think our goals, in the end, are very similar," Merrill said in a telephone interview. "Hopefully we can have an agreement between state, the Ports Authority, the municipalities and railroads. Then we can all be happy and sing Kumbaya."
Summey, the county councilman, said that pushing any plan to bring rail into the terminal from the north will only guarantee that "there won't be a port for 10 or 15 years" because of litigation that would ensue.
Reach David Slade at dslade@postandcourier.com or 937-5552.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Citizens of this fine STATE......
Sit back and PONDER....!!!!??
WHAT a LAWYER....FEST !?!
What exactly is GLENN McConnell doing with his CANNON!?!? It sure isn't being pointed at WHO...!?!?!
Lets think about this...... "The port plan did not originally include on-site rail, but rail is now seen as a necessity.." ?? LOL....LOL !?! Think about this nugget to chew on...??? WHAT FOOL in their right mind would consider a "PORT PLAN" with out....RAIL !?! LOL...LOL !!!
WHAT HEIRS PROPERTY was confiscated on DANIEL ISLAND...??? Holy COW...!?! They planned for rail AND did not HAVE A port ...??? North Charleston has PORT but did NOT plan for RAIL....!?!?! MY GOD....!?!?!
Obviously, DAVID SLADE and CHarles Rowe are in cahoots with SUMMEY to spew this actual SMOKE Screen to HIDE the REAL truth...!?!?!
THINK Citizens......THINK !!!
Hmmm......
Ginn...??
Noisette...???
CSX.....??
N-Southern...??
Magnolia....????
Shipyard Creek ASS....??
Are there too MANY cooks in the KITCHEN...!?!?!
Ladies and Gentlemen can you imagine the Pilgrims having this much "FUN" trying to decide which ROCK they were going to call PLYMOUTH...!?!?! Leave it to a WOMAN on the boat to say "Guys....I've got to PEE and that rock looks like a good place to drop anchor....!!!!!"
My BACKSIDE...!?!?!
Does it take a DECADE to decide where a RAIL line is going to RUN....!?!?1 I can only imagine the words some of the ILA wives are saying to one another....!!! Much less their husbands...!?!?! Geez....!!!!
Citizens ......this is about OUR tax WALLETS...!?!?! Is WEST-VACO north of the Navy BASE...!?! Does RAIL run there...!?!?! LOL...!?!? Do Rail Lines run into the NAVAL Weapons Station...!?!?! YOU...BETCHA..!!!
We SMELL the Promenade LANDFILL starting to whaff and fumagate for more ....STIMULUS..!?!?! We wonder if Dubai POrts will be helpful to "Financing" a second RAIL Yard...!?!?! ...and WHAT hands are being WASHED ...there...!?!?!
Why has it taken a DECADE for Jim to "Introduce" this north Legislation..!?!?!
May 1, 2009 at 1:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tides (anonymous) says...
Perfect example of having power freaks in office with either no real brains to them at all or just plain corrupt or both.
These old timers who are career politicians are no good. We should have fired them along time ago. When I see them on TV, I shake my head at their narcissistic baloney.
May 1, 2009 at 6:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
They were planning to do this all along.
They negotiated in bad faith. And lied to all involved.
The good ole boys are the only ones who will benefit from this unneeded port expansion. They will try to build this at any cost no matter what the state of the economy or the impacts on residents.
I say build a railroad bridge to Daniel Island and run the rails out the north end of Daniel Island, that way rep. Merrill and his constituents can share in supporting the port rep Merrill is working for.
May 1, 2009 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
All of the freight needs to be put on rail cars, hauled to the intersection of I26 and I95, and dispersed from there.
May 1, 2009 at 7:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Elliott Summey should be known from now ON as........."Mignon"..!?!?!
Elliott Summey....!!!!!
YOU are no MORN.....!!!! You are no LOL....(Lunk of LARD!) !!!!
Where did YOU go to school....???? Can you not LEARN from your Father's mistakes..???? I'm trying....????
Elliott, my fellow citizen, do you know anything about FREE Markets...?????
May 1, 2009 at 7:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Well, well.....WELL
THERONCE......if we "little PEOPLE" can see your VISION crystal CLEAR.....then
Can this EDITOR ....NOT ??
Can this Reporter...NOT ??
Can Mayor Summey ...NOT ??
If our elected "Leaders" are this BLIND.....then weas citizens OBVIOUSLY need to do.....WHAT ??
Thereonce.........keep the TRUTH ....flowing !!!
May 1, 2009 at 7:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
We are losing freight to Savannah everyday because of this bickering and peeing on bushes......our unemployment rate is what? And they are doing what? NOTHING!
They should have built it on the old Navy base the infrastructure is pretty much in place. Will they need to update and make repairs? Yes, but it will cost less and the rail already runs there. Come on people...."Not In My Backyard" works when you can afford it......We cannot afford it any longer.
May 1, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Elliott Summey...................!!!! (Fist POUNDz!!)
COME ....ON ..!?!?!
You mean to TELL & Show us all here that you are walking along RAIL tracks BUT you FAIL to realize that the POWER POLES behind YOU should also be WIND TURBINES to harness North Charleston's .......free ENERGY source....!?!?!
YOU are no.....IDIOT !!!! My GOD ...Elliott !!!
You mean to tell US all here that YOU are not looking out for workers PENSIONS....!?!?! Farmers get royalties out WEST for instlalling Wind Turbines on their FARMS....!!!!!!
Elliott.....who has MORE wind ....KANSAS.......or North Charleston...!?!?!
We highly suggest you get your "Filet ....Mignon" backside outside and take a look at the WEST-VACO Flag......Bubba !!!!
WE ....ARE....FED.....UP !?!?!
Just WHAT are you educating your Voterz ......about...!?!?! Sounds to me we have a lot of WHINING....1!?!?!
How often did your daddy grab you by the EAR when you were growing UP....!?!?!
WE ...WAnt...TO ....KNOW !!!!!
Do you NOT think that since you are all grown up and can THINK for yourself that it is aBOUT TIME THAT ........YOU GRABBED YOUR ..DADDIES...EAR !?!?!
MY BACKSIDE....!?!?!
Do you not understand how Charles Rowe and the CRDA are peeling YOUR ....Banana !?!?!
When your wife has a lady friend from church ask her about the FLAG at WEST-VACO and WHY the fine City of North Charleston is NOT harnessing the PORT or its WIND........HOLY COW !?!?!
Aunt "B".....is ...NOT .....DUMB, BLIND or STUPID...!?!?!?!
Elliott....have you spoke with Amos "Amen" Elliott....YET !?!?
Its time for .....WHAT ?????
May 1, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ParkCircle4Ever (anonymous) says...
I understand the NIMBY shouts, but what about the 60 or so tenants on the northern end of the base? What about Clemson? What about Riverfront park? What about the millions invested in the Noisette plan? All that stuff creates jobs too... I just invested over 50K renovating an old house, I probably would not have done that had I known rail was literally, going to be in my backyard. Keep up the fight Councilman Summey!
May 1, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
North Charleston should have realized what it is years ago....it will never be a tourist Mecca, it will never be downtown.....every area needs industry.
Think of the jack we could have been making and the jobs created if they had embraced their role within the larger community instead of playing "who's the best mayor ever" game with Riley.
The railroads have always been in North Chuck and I don't see it going away anytime soon. Or would you rather lose Westvaco, KapStone and all the other places of employment in North Chuck??
May 1, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc2 (anonymous) says...
If they are not careful where thet put these tracks it could end up making traffic WORSE. Less trucks on the roads does not matter if there is a train constantly blocking every artery in and out of ALL of the North area.
May 1, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Councilman Henry Darby.......!??!??
Crawl out from Under your ...DESK !!!! You mean that you were ABSENT..???
Are you SCARED......???? WHAT...?? We want to know...??? You mean to tell US that you were NOT invited to share this PHOTO op on the rail tracks...!?!?!
LOL....LOL !?!?!
You are going to let Elliott get Free PRESS....!?!?! WoW.....your silence SPEAKS ....volumes !!! Citizens ....think about this DARBY stunt..??? THINK.
Ol' Darby just cruised by in his ...."OLDz 88" with the windows down and the Mega-BASS cranked up...!?!?! Its just not TOLD IN THIS ARTICLE...!!!!!
"RUFUS..R ..FREIGHT TRAIN" Darby..........you sir, wear no CROWN...!!!!!?? You need to STAND UP...!!! We know your able to deliver the "DARBY DUNK"...~~ BUT ~~ do you know what the voterz of this state SEE..... "RAINBOW PULL" !!!
We sure do NOT see the REAL truth your ....PUSHIN"...!!!!!
Tell US all here Councilman Darby ....just exactly how ARE we going to get OUR Freight up to Santee to wash CLYBURN's...."DUBAI HANDZ.." ?????
HOW...?????
CITIZENS OF THE FINE STATE OF South Carolina.......do you realize what the bombshell in this article ...IS..!?!
HOW Colleen Condon's Silence involving this WHOLE fiasco has BREAD CRUMBS back too ....WHO !?!
Talk about THERMO-Nuclear ....!?!?!
Collenn CONDON.........where is your MOXIE..!?!?!
Un ...BE...Lieve...ABLE !!!!!!!
May 1, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Theronce is correct......send the rail to I95 area and put in a huge distribution hub. It would become a shipping mecca for the south and just imagine the jobs!!!!!!
May 1, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
COUNCIL ... WOMAN ...COLLEEN...CONDON.........!!!!!
We highly suggest the next time Elliott and David share Waffles to hatch a photo OP.....presser; You get your backside out there too to promote your "Coffee with COLLEEN" time with VOTERs....!?!?!
Are you going to let "Mignon" get the "MATADOR" ...treatment...!?!?!
O-lay.......(Cheer!) O-lay .....(Cheer!) ..!?!?!
Colleen, WE taxpayers are FED UP with this LAWYER FEST.....!?!?! Just exactly WHAT is your position on the MAERSK....fiasco !?! WHAT...!?!?! DOES YOUR OPINION EVEN .....MATTER...!!!!!!!!
Missy.....its time to get REAL about our LOCAL economy...!?!? Dont-CHA....think !!!
What did you think........ serving US was going to be ....FUN ?
This is ....ECONOMIC......what ?
May 1, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ATLH8R (anonymous) says...
CSX right of way is private property. Mr. Summey and Mr. Hawes are trespassing.
May 1, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
ATLANTA HATER................
GREAT....OBSERVATION !!!!
Elliott SUMMEY.....do you NOT realize that the AIR and EASEMENT above the TRACK is ......PUBLIC....!?!?!
Rail LINES, POWER LINES, and Highway easemants are PUBLIC right of way...!?!?!
How can an ELEVATED Mag-lev transit system be used to Efficiently make use and tramsport citizens with OUT impeding ...WHAT?
Elliott Summey......do you know that NASA is doing what ...with...???
Elliott ....how much of this system could we get for 175 MILLION..??
HOW much...!?!
more than 14 MILES....!?!?!
Elliott........do you not think the VOTERz of Cameron Terrace would be PROUD to lead this STATE in ....SOMETHING...!?!?!
What are the RAIL LINES going to do with the EASEMANTS...ABOVE ...their track...!?!?!
Does the city generate any TAX REVENUE from it....!?!?!
80 ft above......?? 100 ft..above....?? 150 ft above....???
Is this the 21 Century....Elliott..?
May 1, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Another reason North Chuck is North Chuck and this state is last in everything. Nice way to kill jobs and growth. Small minded lunacy killing/hindering big plans.
Reaffirms my belief that politicians are stupid and self serving.
May 1, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Putting the hub at the intersection of I26 and I95 allows the continued development of the old naval base area, moves vehicles off the road in NC, puts jobs out in the rural areas that have no jobs, and saves fuel. I bet the posters here could put the basic plan down on the back of an envelope and map it out in 10 or 15 minutes. A good manager with the right authority could have it up and running in 12 to 18 months. Now you have an economic stimulus.
May 1, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ParkCircle4Ever (anonymous) says...
The railroad tracks that Mr. Summey is standing on are owned by South Carolina Public Rails, if you read this article you would see that CSX does not own the railroads on the northern end of the base. I don't think that anyone is suggesting we pull all the railroads out of North Charleston. This specifically deals with changing the face of the Northern end of the base and the neighborhoods surrounding it- THAT's it! It has nothing to do with being a tourist mecca or any of this other crap I'm hearing. Mr. Summey is standing up for the people he represents who do NOT want a freaking railyard coming in the northern end of the base on property that is going to cost the state a BUNDLE to buy.
May 1, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Should have thought about the jobs and the money before they dropped a pretty penny on Noisette......and when will it be finished.....and was it under budget, NO.......
Forward thinking and planning would do wonders for you guys.....I'm just saying.
May 1, 2009 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Citizens..........
If everyone would COME Clean and explain to the PUBLIC about what developers are trying to do....!?!?!
I think it would do WONDERS.....!!!!!
It is what has happened in many other cities ....!!!
These TRACKS that come along SPRUIL and all the way up pass RED BANK are going to be USED for WHAT....!?!?! There sure is a LOT of un-developed ...LAND..!?!
These ...ARE..the TRACKS that are being discussed...???
Park Circle and Cameron Terrace are SURROUNDED by tracks...RIght??
It would be helpful if Mr Summey and Darby would topographically discuss and EXPLAIN who wants WHAT and .....also have a RED and Blue breakout (Like Election coverage) using Google EARTH showing BY HOUSE which voters are FOR which solution....!?!?!
Its time to DOCUMENT and put on RECORD who is FOR ...WHAT ??? If some don't care make those ....PINK !!!!!
Does this PAPER want their READERs to be interested in ....ANYTHING...(oh ..yeah that's right ...SWINE FLU)!!!
MY Backside....!!!!
Hmm....the old Navy base Golf Course should have been a WHAT...???
Are we talking about the OLD officer HOUSING being a NEW RAIL YARD..!?!?!
It would seem that Mr. Summey, Mr DARBY, MRs Condon, Mr. Merrill and this EDITOR would want to let EVERYONE know exactly what choices are being DISCUSSED so the TAXPAYERS footing the BILL will be able to MAKE the RIGHT Decision......!?!?!?!
It is OUR money being fought over....RIGHT, ???
DAVID,...an over arching expose' graphically showing in timeline order what land deals and transactions took place and explaining all ramifications including DHEC, RAIL, West-VACO, SC-DOT, political Elections, MEARSK, CRDA and show the relation to the NECK Area Developers and as well as possible PUT mug shots up of the the officials at the heart of this TAXPAYER...HOLDUP !!!! ...and WHY ??
Try to EDUCATE ...US ..?!? We are ...DUMB ..!!
Make sure it is FRONT PAGE to attract READERS. Blame Mayor Bourne as much as possible..!?!
May 1, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blackberry_fan (anonymous) says...
"Mr. Summey is standing up for the people he represents who do NOT want a freaking railyard coming in the northern end of the base on property that is going to cost the state a BUNDLE to buy."
There is a paper mill and a fuel depot in the same area. I don't think a train is going to make that big of a difference.
Don't be fooled. This does not have a thing to do with the neighborhood or if someone was notified or not. This has to do with money. Someone didn't get a cut so they are going to make life hell until they do. This kid is just a puppet and daddy is pulling the strings.
May 1, 2009 at 7:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
simmons (anonymous) says...
I see fat and disheveled runs in the family
May 1, 2009 at 8:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com 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 postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" 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. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Upper King on rise: Hotels, apartments, restaurants changing face of downtown area
- Missing woman case gets murkier
- Missing woman's fiance found dead in his home
- Isle of Palms wants to patch beach
- DAVID SLADE: S.C. offers hybrid car tax credit
- Advocating for cyclists
- Facebook posts may cost you a job
- Boeing powering up first local jet
- Pinterest: Pinning hopes and dreams
- Body of missing woman's fiance was found next to handgun
