Spring & Cannon Streets, Two Way Traffic?
Posted on | February 28, 2008 | No Comments
I read an interesting article in The Post and Courier this morning, about the proposal to make Spring and Cannon Streets downtown into two way streets, between President Street and King Street. It would cause 37 of the 400 or so on street parking spots to be lost. Apparently they want to plant live oaks and do a general sprucing up along the streets as well.
My first reaction was to object to it, because those of us who grew up in Charleston tend to be a little slow to accept change to the city we remember from when we were children. Then I read further, and realized that the streets were originally two way, and that they changed them to one way about 50 years ago to speed the movement of traffic from West Ashley through the crosstown. Then I remembered living downtown in college, and the traffic on those streets did kind of fly by. I guess changing them back would slow traffic, and maybe add to a bit of a more residential feel.
I know for a fact that the one way streets really stress the tourists out. And, the fact of the matter is that we are a tourist town. A lot of our economy is based on tourism, and it creates a lot of jobs. Besides, I’d rather be a town based on tourism than a town based on a factory or something like that. Plus, at least we have things here that people want to come see. We get to enjoy those things all year long. Changing the streets to two way would help tourists as they try to navigate the city, especially with the new and hip commercial redevelopment on upper King Street. There is a lot more tourist, and local,, recreational traffic down there than there was ten years ago. I really do like that part of town; there are some great restaurants, shops, and design stores. Also, the Artist and Craftsman Supply store is the best art supply store in town, in my opinion.
In terms of residential change in that part of town, the difference is tremendous. I am excited to be working with a team of agents on the new Midtown of Charleston development, bordered by St. Phillip, Coming, Cannon, and Spring Streets. It is a total of 23 single family homes, six duplex condos, and four condos above commercial space. There are two commercial buildings anchoring the development,. Each building has commercial space on the ground floor, zoned General Business, and each one has two condos above it. They are all new construction, and the feel is super modern, yet the development manages to blend with the surrounding streetscape remarkable well. Two new alleys have been created, allowing for increased flow through the neighborhood. Both are made of tumbled concrete pavers, which is a first for the City of Charleston. There are some incredible rooftop views, especially from the condo above the commercial space on the corner of Coming and Cannon. It is the PERFECT spot for someone who would like to live above their business.
More on Midtown of Charleston tomorrow.
Comments
Leave a Reply
