🚦Sam Rittenberg Safety Upgrades and the Safe Streets For All Program

City of Charleston · Committee on Traffic and Transportation
Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan Adopted
The committee reviewed and adopted the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan, which was developed through a federal grant to address severe and fatal crashes in Charleston. The plan identifies high-injury corridors, recommends 52 engineering countermeasures, and outlines 17 priority actions in enforcement, education, and evaluation. It targets less than 10% of the city’s roads that account for over half of all serious crashes, and includes a new Target Zero Task Force to oversee implementation. The city will seek additional federal funding next year to put these projects into action and has already applied for a demonstration grant to pilot strategies.
Why it matters:
Implementing this plan aims to significantly reduce traffic fatalities and injuries, improve safety for vulnerable road users, and secure federal funding for critical infrastructure improvements, directly impacting Charleston neighborhoods.

City of Charleston · Board of Architectural Review (BAR-L)
Preliminary Approval for 89.5 Nassau Street Affordable Housing
A new two-story residential building at 89.5 Nassau Street, part of a multi-phase affordable housing plan, received preliminary approval. The applicant responded to board requests by revising the site plan, removing a neighboring building to create more open space, and reorienting the new structure for better access. Design changes included reduced height, wood lap siding, and divided light windows. Staff and board praised the improvements, and the motion for preliminary approval passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Advancing affordable housing projects with thoughtful design and site planning supports community needs and enhances neighborhood livability in Charleston’s historic districts.

City of Charleston · Committee on Public Works and Utilities
Grant Application for $5M for Cooper Jackson Drainage Project
The committee authorized applying for a $5 million grant from the South Carolina Office of Resilience to fund phase one of the Cooper Jackson drainage project. The project targets improvements along Morrison Drive and Lee Street to enhance drainage in the Upper East Side and will use a design-build approach to expedite work.
Why it matters: Securing this grant would jumpstart critical drainage upgrades in a vulnerable area, reducing flood risk and supporting neighborhood resilience.

Town of Summerville · Central Design Review Board
Final Approval Granted for Rooms to Go Retail Facility
The board granted final approval for a new Rooms to Go retail facility at 326 Holiday Drive, focusing on site changes required by the Tree Protection Board and previous DRB feedback. Key modifications included preserving a large tree area by keeping the sidewalk in place, widening entrance landscape beds to 7 feet, and replacing crepe myrtles with hornbeam trees in parking islands. The board required more technical details (plant sizes, dumpster, lighting, and pond bulkhead) and discussed the need for a safety fence around the retention pond, which must match the building’s materials per the Unified Development Ordinance. Final sign-off will come from a newly formed subcommittee after missing details and material samples are submitted.
Why it matters: The project sets a precedent for balancing commercial development with environmental protection and design standards, ensuring new retail fits community expectations and regulatory requirements.

Charleston County · Planning Commission
Appeal Denied for Grantham Homes Subdivision at Burden Creek Road
The Planning Commission heard an appeal regarding the denied subdivision plat for 2762 Burden Creek Road, where Grantham Homes challenged staff's application of waterfront development standards. The applicant argued for a “stacked” lot configuration and questioned the interpretation of minimum lot width requirements. After presentations, public comments, and discussion, staff maintained that the plat did not meet the 180-foot minimum width required for waterfront lots. The Commission voted 9-0 to uphold staff’s decision, denying the appeal.
Why it matters: This decision reinforces strict adherence to waterfront development standards, impacting future subdivision proposals and preserving the integrity of zoning regulations in sensitive areas.

After nearly 10 years of public input, the City is moving forward with a redesign concept for Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, one of West Ashley’s busiest corridors.

The study area runs from the north bridge down to US-17, with the first design phase (30% plans) focusing on the stretch between Ashley River Road (SC-61) and Charles Town Drive.

Why now?

Because the current design has real safety consequences:

City engineers identified several core issues: a very wide right-of-way, excess roadway capacity in places, inconsistent sidewalks, and too many access points creating conflict and congestion.

What’s being proposed:

Traffic modeling shows improved performance at stop-controlled intersections, similar delays at signalized intersections, and more reliable travel times thanks to fewer crashes.

This is still an early design phase, but the direction is clear: fewer conflict points, safer crossings, and a corridor that works for more than just cars.

The Sam Rittenberg redesign isn’t happening in a vacuum.

Charleston has officially adopted a Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan, part of a federal program aimed at reducing — and ultimately eliminating — traffic-related deaths and serious injuries.

Through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, the City secured federal planning funds to:

City Council also adopted a Target Zero commitment, meaning the long-term goal is zero traffic deaths and serious injuries, not just “fewer.”

This approach focuses on:

City staff have been clear about one often-overlooked benefit: preserving safety and street design today reduces the need for expensive fixes later.

The Sam Rittenberg project shows what this philosophy looks like on the ground.
The Safe Streets for All plan shows how the City wants to scale it across Charleston.

Together, they signal a shift away from designing roads purely for speed and capacity — and toward streets designed for safety, reliability, and long-term livability.

As designs are refined and funding decisions come forward, I’ll keep breaking down what’s proposed, what’s funded, and what it means for the neighborhoods around it.

8488 Middleton Point Lane - Sitting on over 9 acres in the Ace Basin on Edisto, this early 1800s property consists of the main house, guest house, entertaining pavilion, deep water dock, AND a preserved historic medical office.

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SEE ALL PHOTOS AND DETAILS

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Check out all the photos and details here

The market has mostly slowed down heading into the holidays. This is completely normal, and we are expecting an uptick in supply and demand once we head into the new year. If you’re looking to jump into the market and purchase a home, if something hits the market over the next 2-3 weeks that you like…those sellers are probably pretty motivated. That would be a good time to reach out to your agent, or if you don’t have one, respond to this email. I’m happy to help.

What a year it’s been for the ChuckTown Report. 2026 has some big shoes to fill…but I’m not worried. It’s only going to get bigger and better for y’all. Here’s how this past year went:

Newsletters sent: 66
Open Rate: 75.6%
Avg Clicks: 7.1%
Subscriber Increase: 160%
Words Written: 79.3K

With our ambitious goals for next year to again over double our subscribers, we are looking for local business sponsors for the newsletters. If you own a local business and want to explore sponsorship opportunities to get your business in front of thousands of locals, respond to this email and i will be in touch.

Even if you can’t or don’t want to sponsor, you can still help us grow by sharing this with a friend you think would enjoy learning about what’s going on around Charleston. That’s the #1 way you can help…and it’s absolutely free!

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

Until Next Week,

-Bill

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