A road gets funded, a roundabout gets yanked, and MUSC gets bigger!

Town of Mount Pleasant · Committee of Council Meetings
Billy Swales Boulevard Section 4B Project Moves Forward with Federal Funding and Tree Protections
A 1.4-mile new alignment roadway will be constructed from Sweetgrass Basket Parkway and SixMile Road to Billy Swales Boulevard and Hamlin Road. The project, partially funded by a federal grant, includes major infrastructure improvements such as stormwater drainage, sidewalks, and a 10-foot shared use path. Gulfream Construction Company was selected as the contractor after a competitive bid process, and the project will emphasize tree preservation and neighborhood communication. Construction is expected to last 540 days, with efforts to minimize disruption and keep residents informed through various channels.

MUSC Health Acquires State's Largest Independent Primary Care Practice
MUSC Health has purchased Palmetto Primary Care Physicians (PPCP) for $111 million, folding the state's largest independent multispecialty practice into its not-for-profit system effective March 3. The deal brings 31 physicians, 95 advanced practitioners, and 40 locations across the Lowcountry, Midlands, and Myrtle Beach under the MUSC umbrella, addressing what health leaders describe as a critical shortage of primary care access in South Carolina. Officials from both organizations say the merger will expand community-based care, enhance provider training and research, and build on PPCP's nearly 30-year track record in value-based care delivery.

Charleston County · County Council
Council Authorizes Negotiations for Morrison Drive Listing Agreement
Charleston County Council unanimously authorized the council chairman to negotiate an exclusive listing agreement for the county-owned properties at 993 and 995 Morrison Drive. The motion, which followed a closed executive session, stipulates that terms discussed behind closed doors will be incorporated into the final agreement and that the county attorney must approve the document before it is signed. Council members added the condition that the agreement must come back before the full council for a final vote before the chairman executes it.

Charleston County · County Council
Morrison Drive Housing Development Advances With Design Charrette Planned for March 16–20
The City of Charleston reported to Charleston County Council that it has confirmed a March 24 public hearing for the second and final reading to remove the tech overlay on 993 and 995 Morrison Drive, clearing the way for a housing development. A week-long design charrette will take place March 16 through 20, with daytime sessions at the old Historic Charleston Foundation gift shop and evening presentations at Dock Street Theater.

City of Charleston · Basin Flood Action Committee
City Piloting Flood Sensors to Measure Water Depth on Key Roadways
The City of Charleston is piloting flood sensors on roadways in chronically flooded areas to measure real-time water depths during flooding events. The committee heard that the sensor locations were informed in part by earlier input from committee members. The pilot is part of the city's FloodStat program, which tracks local flood and tide data. A more comprehensive update is expected at the committee's next meeting.

Mount Pleasant · Committee on Bids and Purchasing
Town Awards $18.7 Million Contract to Complete Billy Swells Boulevard
Mount Pleasant's Committee on Bids and Purchasing voted unanimously to award an $18.76 million contract to Gulfstream Construction Company for Billy Swells Boulevard Section 4B, the final 1.4-mile segment needed to complete the town's third north-south transportation corridor. The new roadway will run from the intersection of Sweetgrass Basket Parkway and Six Mile Road to Billy Swells Boulevard and Hamlin Road, and will include a 10-foot Mount Pleasant Way shared-use path, traffic signals, street lighting, and stormwater drainage. Funded in part by a federal grant through SCDOT, the project drew eight competitive bids and is expected to begin construction in early April with the road opening by fall or winter 2027. Staff will conduct a tree walk before work begins to identify any additional trees that can be preserved beyond what current plans call for.

Mount Pleasant · Committee on Water Supply
Waterworks Earns National Recognition for Septic and Metering Innovations
Mount Pleasant Waterworks received three industry awards highlighting its work on septic connections, metering technology, and operational innovation. The utility earned a National Environmental Achievement Award for connecting more than 120 families to the public sewer system over the past two years through its clean water credit and septic initiatives, and it now maintains systems for 35 additional households that cannot tie in. MPW also saved roughly $360,000 by performing a Census metering system upgrade in-house rather than hiring outside contractors, and its AMI meter innovations have eliminated the need for truck-based manual reads for 36 of the past 52 weeks.

Mount Pleasant · Committee on Transportation
Committee Votes to Remove Old Village Roundabout Pilot, Explore Redesign
Mount Pleasant's transportation committee voted unanimously to remove the controversial pilot roundabouts at McCants Street and Center Street in the Old Village and restore the intersections to their original condition. While data showed the installations reduced speeds from nearly 30 mph to under 20, an HOA survey found 86 percent of nearby homeowners opposed the current design, citing concerns about large vehicles unable to navigate turns, cars mounting sidewalks, emergency vehicle access, and the change to neighborhood character. The committee also voted 3-1 to keep the door open for a redesigned permanent mini-roundabout with wider shoulders, intersection lighting, and pedestrian crossings, directing staff to develop a concept design for future review. If SCDOT approves the removal, staff may proceed without returning to the committee.

Charleston County · Board of Zoning Appeals
Short-Term Rentals Dominate BZA Agenda as Board Navigates Neighborhood Concerns
Short-term rental applications accounted for four of the ten cases at the March 2 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, revealing a clear divide in how the board handles owner-occupied versus non-owner-occupied requests. The two owner-occupied applications were approved unanimously with little discussion. The two non-owner-occupied cases, however, drew organized opposition and required multiple rounds of voting or conditions to win approval. At 8 Arcadian Park, the board cut allowed rental days in half; on Grimble Road, the board slashed the guest count from 14 to 10. Board members signaled they view non-owner-occupied short-term rentals with greater scrutiny, particularly when neighborhoods have no existing STR precedent.

106 S Battery - Referred to as “The Mighty Fortress”, this 100+ year old South of Broad home has a commanding presence on its corner. On the market for the first time in nearly 30 years, the owners have taken impeccable care of this home. Check out the full YouTube tour I did below.

4 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 4011 sqft | $5,250,000

SEE ALL PHOTOS AND DETAILS

8-year-old James Island home.

- 3 bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms
- NO HOA
- Fully fenced backyard with shed
- Open Floor Plan
-$625,000

Check out all the photos and details here

The Charleston market didn't blink last week. Between February 27 and March 5, 322 homes went under contract, and a few numbers jumped out at me. The biggest one: 59 homes over $1 million went under contract in a single week, which I believe is the most I've ever seen in a weekly snapshot. Mount Pleasant led the luxury charge with 17 of its 31 contracts topping $1M and a median of $1.05M, while Peninsula Charleston's median hit $1.6M at $702/sqft. On the affordable end, Summerville/Ladson and the Hanahan/Goose Creek/Moncks Corner area remained the most active, with medians around $370-377k and the lowest price-per-square-foot in the region. One thing worth watching: this week's inflation report came in stronger than expected, which makes it harder for the Fed to cut rates anytime soon. Affordability isn't getting easier on that front. The silver lining is that only 3 of 255 single-family homes were distressed sales, which tells me this market is moving on strength, not stress.

1) Buying a Home - If you’re planning a move in the next 12-18 months, it’s never too early to start chatting.

2) Market Conditions - I can send you a quick snapshot of what’s going on in your neighborhood or area.

3) Request an Update - Share a lot or address, and I’ll research what’s being planned or built there.

Just reply to this email, and I will be in touch.
Until Next Week,

-Bill Olson
Your local realtor who keeps up with what’s going on around Charleston so you don’t have to.

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