Charleston SC, September 27, 2025
News Summary
Charleston officials are discussing a new referendum to extend the half-cent transportation sales tax approved in 2004. Mayor William Cogswell highlights the need for flood mitigation projects like a seawall to protect the peninsula. The City Council presented a funding draft, allocating $750 million for collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers, although concerns were raised regarding tax revenue being 21% lower than previous estimates. Public feedback will be sought as the city finalizes its priorities, impacting infrastructure and flooding challenges.
Charleston officials are contemplating a new referendum to extend the half-cent transportation sales tax, which was first approved by voters in 2004. Mayor William Cogswell is advocating for the inclusion of flood mitigation projects in this upcoming referendum. Key projects proposed include a seawall aimed at protecting the peninsula’s streets from the effects of rising seas and storms, as flooding is significantly impacting roadways within the city.
During a recent meeting of the City Council’s Traffic and Transportation Committee on September 23, Cogswell highlighted the importance of addressing flooding across the entire city, not just limited to the peninsula. A draft of the city’s funding priorities was presented at the meeting, which showed that the largest allocation would be a substantial $750 million dedicated to collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers. This figure breaks down to approximately $450 million for the Battery extension project and $300 million for a study addressing tidal and inland flooding risks.
While presenting this information, County Council Chairman Kylon Middleton noted that the expected tax revenue is approximately 21% lower than prior forecasts. This revised, conservative estimate was shared shortly before the meeting. Additionally, Councilman Larry Kobrovsky expressed concerns regarding the funding of flooding and drainage projects, questioning whether they could be supported without being linked to specific road improvement projects. A message from a county counterpart indicated that there was little support for allocating funds to the seawall project through the half-cent sales tax.
Middleton emphasized that it might be premature to discuss specific projects until there has been an opportunity to gather public feedback. The proposed roadway improvements under consideration include significant routes such as Savannah Highway, Glenn McConnell Parkway, Ashley River Road, Maybank Highway, and Folly Road.
The city has plans to hold two special Traffic and Transportation Committee meetings in October to finalize its funding priorities. These priorities need to be submitted to the county by November. A decision on whether to ask residents to vote on the extension of the half-cent sales tax is expected from the county by January 2026. City Councilman Mike Seekings pointed out the critical need for funding infrastructure for the region’s future, stressing that there is a risk of losing current tax revenue.
Cogswell has outlined a detailed wish list for flood and road projects amounting to nearly $3 billion, representing over two-thirds of an estimated $4.25 billion that the tax could potentially generate over a 25-year period.
In summary, Charleston officials are at a pivotal point in addressing the city’s infrastructure and flooding challenges through a potential extension of the transportation sales tax, with a strong emphasis on prioritizing flood mitigation efforts.
FAQ
- What is the purpose of the upcoming referendum in Charleston?
- The referendum aims to extend the half-cent transportation sales tax to fund various transportation and flood mitigation projects.
- What specific flood mitigation project is being proposed?
- A seawall to protect the peninsula’s streets from rising seas and storms is one of the key projects under consideration.
- How much money is being allocated for the collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers?
- The draft presented at the meeting includes a proposed allocation of $750 million for this collaboration.
- What is the current estimate of tax revenue for the upcoming projects?
- The anticipated tax revenue is about 21% lower than previous forecasts.
- When will decisions about the referendum be made?
- The county is expected to make a decision by January 2026 regarding whether to ask residents to vote on extending the tax.
Key Features of Proposed Projects
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Referendum Purpose | To extend the half-cent transportation sales tax for infrastructure and flood mitigation. |
| Key Project | Seawall for street protection from rising seas and storms. |
| Funding Allocation | $750 million for the Army Corps of Engineers collaboration. |
| Tax Revenue Estimate | Expected to be 21% lower than prior forecasts. |
| Decision Timeline | County decision expected by January 2026 on extending the tax. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Charleston City Council Approves $2.5 Million for Flood Resilience
Charleston City Council Approves $2.5 Million Seawall Design
Ravenel to Acquire 35 Acres for Affordable Housing and Park
Charleston County School District Launches Upgraded FirstView App
Charleston Prepares for Increased Coastal Flooding
Charleston Initiates Major Infrastructure Developments
Charleston County School District Faces Challenges from West Ashley Population Growth
Flood Advisory Issued for Charleston County
Boston and Charleston Launch Major Public Housing Redevelopments
Charleston County Prepares for Transportation Sales Tax Vote
Additional Resources
- Live 5 News: Flooding Closes Dozens of Downtown Charleston Streets
- Count on 2: Flooding Closes Some Charleston Roads
- Wall Street Journal: Charleston SC Flooding
- Post and Courier: Charleston Seawall Flooding
- The Weather Channel: Record Rain Causes Flash Flooding in Charleston
- Wikipedia: Flood Mitigation
- Google Search: Charleston Infrastructure Projects
- Google Scholar: Flood Mitigation Charleston
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flooding
- Google News: Charleston Flooding
Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON
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