In this gift from the tape vault, we travel back into the archives of Carolina Journal where we revisit the opening of Charleston Place complex. Mayor Joseph Riley cut the ribbons that unleashed the balloons to herald the revitalization of the city’s center. Later in the program, we get some tips on safety in the woods from the State’s Wildlife Department.
At a time when the downtown areas of many cities across the country declined to accelerate suburban growth, Mayor Joseph Riley had a bold vision for the future of Charleston and set out on a journey to transform the once vibrant downtown area into what we know today as Charleston Place. The seventy-eight million dollar project took an entire city block, housing two dozen shops, a convention center and the five hundred room Omni Hotel.
We meet with members of the executive committee and learn of the levels of funding, cooperation, and community involvement required to make the project move forward. The eleven-year effort involved a thorough planning process, as well as conflict resolution with the preservationists, ensuring that their voices were heard. In an interview with Mayor Joseph Riley, he observed that Charleston needed a catalytic agent to restore the downtown area. The impetus was to create an attractive, dynamic Charleston Place as a travel destination contained in a three-block radius. The shopping arcade was carefully considered with pedestrian access in mind. The whole process was kept within the architectural continuity of the area. The commercial side of the city was restored, and shopping on King street brought in revenues from both jobs and sales taxes. ,
Mayor Riley talked about national redevelopment projects to revitalize local downtown areas, advising that the projects should stay within the character of the city. When asked about his plans for Charleston going forward, Mayor Riley noted that his next projects would include a Tourist Information Center and the Charleston Waterfront Park, among other things. See Side Notes to learn more about these projects that you might visit today.
The Carolina Journal schedule for the week included an interview with poet and author James Dickey. Learn more about Dickey in Side Notes. Also, Rick Sebak brought home the excitement of Spoleto as it opens in Melbourne, Australia, becoming the Festival of Three Worlds.
Reporter John Evans talks about hunting accidents and staying safe during South Carolina’s hunting season. Sergeant Julie Hazel Hunter of the Education Section of the law enforcement Division of the South Carolina Wildlife Department noted that as of October 17, 1986, there were seven hunting accidents in South Carolina, with two of them resulting in fatalities. Sergeant Hunter observed that the major cause of accidents was carelessness. She urged gun owners to treat every gun as if it were loaded and watch the direction where the muzzle was pointed. Hunters were reminded to wear their distinctive orange vests, make sure that the ammunition is appropriate for the gun, to be sure of your target and beyond before you pull the trigger and do not take a chance on shooting an unidentified target among other things. Watch the video to learn more and see Side Notes for current information about hunting laws and safety.
Side Notes
- Charleston Place Hotel today.
- Mayor Joseph P. Riley - During Riley's 40-year tenure as mayor, the City of Charleston saw a substantial decrease in crime, a revitalization of the historic downtown business district, the creation and growth of Spoleto Festival U.S.A, an expansion of the city's park system, and the development of nationally acclaimed affordable housing.
- To learn more about celebrated South Carolina poet and author, visit Writer's Workshop - James Dickey.
- Watch Carolina Journal Rick Sebak's Slightly Wacky Aussie Doco.
- Charleston Visitor Information Center.
- South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, SC.
- Charleston Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC.
- Charleston: An Architectural Legacy.
- South Carolina General Rules and Regulations Hunting.
- Official South Carolina Hunter Safety Course Online.
