SC Public Railways Expands Redevelopment Efforts at Navy Base

South Carolina Public Railways announced demolition plans of old, unsafe buildings located on the former Navy base in Charleston.

“In an ongoing effort to clean up and promote redevelopment efforts on the former Navy base we have begun demolishing buildings that are either unsafe or unsightly to those who work on and visit the base,” said Jeff McWhorter, president and CEO of South Carolina Public Railways.

Since acquiring a majority of the Noisette property on the former Navy base in 2010, South Carolina Public Railways has invested in infrastructure and improvements to help spur additional economic development activity on the base.

Demolition work is currently underway at the former Navy base security headquarters building and the federal credit union offices located near the old McMillan Avenue gate in North Charleston. The security headquarters building has been razed, and demolition work will start soon for the credit union building. Total cost of the demolition project is roughly $30,000.

“South Carolina has to set the table for economic development success. Commerce helps cities and towns improve their product and is doing the same by way of our division of Railways,” said Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt. “Inventory, such as buildings and sites for economic development, and making way for improvements that will support progress, are vitally important.”

In March 2011, Public Railways received a federal grant of almost $249,000 to improve the alignment of existing rail and the safety of train operations. The realignment will enable Public Railways to safely accommodate larger rail cars on the Navy base, according to officials. These changes will better serve businesses on the base, including Clemson University’s new wind turbine drivetrain testing facility. These upgrades could also create additional economic opportunity for others considering a location on the base.

“Improvements to the rail ‘S-curve’ will enable Clemson to provide the best service possible to customers of its wind turbine drivetrain testing facility under construction on part of the former Navy base in North Charleston,” said Clemson University Vice President for Economic Development John Kelly.

Public Railways recently completed a $1.5 million renovation on one of the base’s most prominent buildings at Quarters H and I. This building, like much of the property on the base, has been neglected and vacant for more than 10 years. Railways has found a tenant for the building.

South Carolina Public Railways is currently developing a $126 million single Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) on its North Charleston site on the former Navy base. The ICTF will provide equal dual rail access at one site, which will ensure competition among the Class 1 railroads, and will benefit all shippers using South Carolina’s port facilities. Other benefits include reduced truck traffic and highway congestion by creating efficient freight rail transportation.