City of Charleston discusses future of former West Ashley Piggly Wiggly site

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston residents had the chance to hear the newest plan for a West Ashley property once home to a grocery store Monday night.

Charleston Mayor William Cogswell said he proposed his idea for the triangular-shaped parcel of land where a Piggly Wiggly once stood to the potential developer, EDENS. That plan included green space, apartments, retail, restaurants and stormwater upgrades.

Cogswell said if they’re going to move forward with this plan, they need to work fast because of the Tax Increment Financing District timeline. The timeline is 25 years, but since there hasn’t been any new development for 8 years, TIF revenue is going down, meaning it will cost more money down the road.

“We’re hammering down. I mean, I feel like there’s some real support from the community,” he said. “We have some timing on this that’s pretty critical in terms of public finance capability.

Back in January, Cogswell said they hit the ground running on this project.

In August of last year, the city council previously looked at turning the site into more of a green space with only civic buildings, but those plans were put on hold.

The tone for Monday night’s meeting seemed overall positive.

Cogswell also said he believes Charleston City Council is supportive of the idea. he says the plan to formally address the plans to city council within 30 days to begin the approval process.

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