Pendarvis Introduces Bill to Accelerate Transit Oriented Development in SC

 

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Image left- Representative Marvin Pendarvis rising the #11 CARTA Bus stopped at the Charleston International Airport. Since this image was taken a lighted shelter has replaced the basic outdoor bench at this stop.

North Charleston, SC- Legislation introduced Public Transit carefully fitted into SC communities which are allowed to leverage the mobility it offers to everyone will help create walkable, urbanized areas with lower crime, higher incomes, more rewarding civic and cultural life and less traffic congestion.

On Feb. 23, 2003, SC State Representative Marvin Pendarvis (D-CHS) introduced a bill H. 4013 in the SC House of Representatives to amend Title 6 of the S. C. Code by adding Chapter 39 regarding Transit-Oriented Development Projects. It has been Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.

Image, Right, PlanningMap for N. Charleston Community improvement Meeting, 2018.

The district Pendarvis represents contains most of the separated busway section of the State’s first planned rapid transit system, the Lowcountry Rapid Transit System (LCRT) https://lowcountryrapidtransit.com/ online.  Charleston County voters approved funding for construction of the LCRT and other improvements to bus transit in November 2016. The LCRT is a Bus Rapid Transit system based on operation of articulated electric buses in dedicated bus only lanes, accelerated boarding and advanced electronic enabled wayfinding and fare payment.

The legislative findings set out in the bill begin by stating that, “Public Transit is a valuable element of providing mobility to the people of South Carolina and functions best in communities where density, walkable infrastructure, cycling and short distance transportation services can connect residents and workers efficiently between home, work, shopping, civic opportunities, recreation and education.” It goes on to note that transit benefits drivers by reducing congestion and making use of the existing roadways more efficient.

Image, Left, Children at N. Charleston Farmer's Market plannng model transit system for the Lowcountry on 12 x 16 foot map, October 2019

The bill notes that Transit benefits the disabled and other groups not often considered in making decisions about transportation planning, including “those who have lost their driver's license or lack insurance, reducing the number of illegal drivers on the road the costs of the collisions in which they are involved, which increases the cost of uninsured motorist insurance coverage.”

Unlike many bills introduced in the legislature which have been drafted by national special interest groups, this bill was drafted by Representative Pendarvis with the assistance of Lowcountry Transit riders, people who actually ride transit on a daily basis in his district. Research failed to find similar legislation in other states, so laws from other countries such as New Zealand and Canada were reviewed to help complete the proposed law. The law allows for establishing district and a district authority that can work with government and the private sector to build or redevelop neighborhoods, commercial properties and manufacturing facilities in areas where transit is or will be available.

Image, Right Jennifer  Saunders and the late Dave Crossley rampaging with Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit for passage of the half penny sales tax for Transit, Transportation and Greenspace during the Coastal Carolina Fair in October 2016.

The Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments, The City of North Charleston, The City of Charleston and the Town of Lincolnville are already planning for improvements to the areas along the LCRT to create a safer, cleaner and more rewarding community where car ownership will not be a necessity. While this type of development can’t be constructed everywhere and may not be desired in other areas, its critical to the Elderly, Disabled, workers in Charleston’s critical hospitality Industry, Students and those otherwise unable or unwilling to drive to have some areas available in a region which are adapted to their needs.

Representative Pendarvis will now work with transit advocates, organizations working to build affordable housing and local governments to help the bill H. 4013 get the necessary committee hearings and votes in the house to cross over to the senate and ultimately be ratified by the Governor’s signature over the rest of the current two year legislative session. The LCRT is currently planned to begin rapid transit operation between the Fairgrounds in Ladson and MUSC in downtown Charleston in 2028.

Image, Left, Pizzeria Owner Ben D'Allesandro posting banner supporting improved transit in downtown Charleston, April 2017.

For more information on the Transit Oriented Development Bill see the full text at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/4013.htm or see the Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit, Inc. at www.bfltransit.com online. Representative Pendarvis can be contacted through his legislative office at (803) 212-6716 or via https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=1457812326 online. Pendarvis is planning community forums to discuss this and other issues related to improving the quality of life in his district and elsewhere in SC in the future.

Summerville, Lincolnville, Ladson Transit Update Feb. 2021

 Summerville to the Sea on Transit- Feb. 2021

Louise Brown and the Mayor of Summerville

Sun, Feb. 21- Join us at the Black History Celebration on Hutchison Square in Summerville on Feb. 21 starting at 2 pm. Come learn about local Transit Equity Heros Mary Bowers and Esau Jenkins, make a button and join our new Dorchester Unit to make sure Transit runs all the way to the Atlantic from Flowertown. 

Image, Right, this month we honor Best Friends Staff Member Louise Brown, (shown here with the former Mayor of Summerville) who has been working for transit equity and social justice in the Lowcountry for over 50 years, starting with the Hospital Strike of 1969 when she and 11 other African American women stopped tanks in the streets of Charleston with their bodies and singing voices. She rode the train between Summerville and Charleston for decades, sometimes hopping a freight to make the trip as a girl. We call Louise the Mother of the Movement. You can view a photo gallery of her advocacy work. 

Thanks to the effort of our new Dorchester Unit, working with the rest of Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit, better transit is coming to Summerville, Lincolnville and Ladson. However there are challenges we must address now as the effort to undermine the long promised rapid transit service to Summerville has been abandoned with the tacit agreement of local officials.

Good News: Buses to the Beach, Electric Buses, More Shelters, Improved Service and Complete Streets

Thanks to your support, CARTA will restore weekend bus service to the Isle of Palms this summer. It will be possible to ride on LINK and CARTA all the way to the Beach on Fridays. Saturday and Sunday will require traveling to a #10 Rivers Ave. Bus Stop on Highway 78 near the Hospital since Link does not operate on the weekend. Service begins Memorial Weekend. We'll be helping Summerville access this new opportunity. Here is a preview of our plans, which are attracting national interest. 

Proterra Electric Bus made in SC

CARTA is electrifying it's bus fleet, starting with ProTerra buses made right here in South Carolina. More shelters are being constructed in Charleston county, most with solar lighting and soon, electronic bus arrival data. Full real time data on bus arrival times is now available for the region, with trip planning on Google Maps and the Transit App, as well as a dedicated app for Tri County Link. GPS data is transmitted from the buses and combined with Google's massive archive of travel and road data to give you accurate arrival times for your bus. CARTA bus service on James Island is having it's frequency doubled. View a video primer on how to plan your bus trips online with Google. 

Thanks to decisions made ten years ago in response to the SARs epidemic in Asia, our newer Transit vehicles were pandemic ready with improved air circulation systems, surfaces engineered to isolate biohazards and non touch doors. Locally produced hand sanitizer and masks (required) are available for free on board. Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit worked with a nationwide advocacy effort to get emergency federal Covid funding to pay for making buses ready for the pandemic and keeping service operating when ridership fell. Ridership is now increasing again.

Rep. Marvin Pendarvis

After two years, the SC DOT finally adopted a complete streets policy requiring road safer for pedestrians, transit riders and cyclists thanks to the effort of State Rep. Marvin Pendavis, who represents the Summerville east of the railroad tracks, Lincolnville and Ladson. Pendarvis is looking for citizens willing to sit on the new advisory board called for in the policy. Please contact Marvin Pendavis if you would like to serve. You can learn more about the new complete streets policy. 

The Challenge for Dorchester

Original plan for BRT service to Summerville

Summerville must fight for it's transit connection to Ladson, N. Charleston, Charleston and the Beach.
For 25 years very possible option was explored. Best Friends was instrumental in getting an improved weekday Tri County Link Service connecting downtown Summerville to CARTA in N. Charleston in 2019. In 2015, the half million dollar I26 Alt Study promised bus rapid transit connecting downtown Summerville to downtown Charleston in 59 minutes. Voters in Ladson and Lincolnville, and Charleston County approved a half penny sales tax in Nov. 2016 to fund 250 million dollars to build that bus rapid transit system and 350 million dollars to improve bus service.

Summerville's Leaders stood by while the Council of Government facilitated secret meetings at which it was decided to end the new transit system at the Fairgrounds in Ladson instead of making the long promised connection to Summerville and Lincolnville. While most Dorchester leaders claim to support a complete system, it's likely some worked behind the scenes to truncate the system to preserve the status quo from which they benefit. They like a Summerville where many people are immobile and time trapped in the car eats up more of everyone's life. Tired people and people who can't move are easy to ignore.

Our Logo

A major infrastructure and recovery bill is now being developed by the President and Congress. This may include the federal matching funds needed to build a real rapid transit system like what voters were promised from Summerville to Charleston and a seven day connection all the way to the sea. Our lives are too precious to be wasted sitting in traffic and hauling children and relatives around because we don't have buses that work.

To get involved for better Transit in Dorchester, Summerville, Lincolnville and Ladson contact Linda Saylor at lindasaylor1963@gmail.com or (843) 873-2436. 

Join us at COG Transit Oriented Development Meetings Dec. 10-12

This page is in development- Please return for updates 

Join members of Best Friends of Low country Transit and our new Dorchester Unit to participate in the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester Council of Governments public participation session on planning Transit Oriented Development (TOD) along our future rapid transit line.

There will be three meetings, Dec. 10, 11 & 12

Summerville, Lincolnville, Ridgeville & Dorchester

Tues. Dec. 10, 6 to 8 pm Facebook Signup

Alston-Baily Elementary School

820 W 5th N St, Summerville, SC 29483 

Summerville Contact, Linday Saylor- 

6:00 pm– Presentation

6:30 to 8:00 pm Interactive Placemaking and Visioning

Special Note- 8:00 pm– Join our Independent After Discussion and Dutch Treat Dinner Nearby
If you live in these areas and want better transit, contact Linda Saylor, our Dorchester Summerville organizer. 

North Charleston
December 11, 2019
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Facebook signup for this meeting
North Charleston Transit Center
4565 Gaynor Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(Accessible via CARTA routes 10 & 104)
Presentations on LCRT & TOD will start at 6:00 p.m.
with interactive and visioning exercises from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Charleston - Downtown
December 12, 2019
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Facebook Signup for this meeting.
Citadel Alumni Center
69 Hagood Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
(Accessible via CARTA routes 102 & 213)
Presentations on LCRT & TOD will start at 6:00 p.m.
with interactive and visioning exercises from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

TOD allows communities to plan and build places along a transit line which are walkable and connected by transit so using a car is optional. This opens up options for people who are elderly, disabled, do not or cannot drive a car. It’s important for such communities to be safe and include affordable housing.

Even if you don’t ride transit or live in a TOD community, you benefit from reduced traffic congestion as your neighbors choose a home and lifestyle which reduces their need for car travel.

It’s about choice, particularly for senior citizens and the disabled, who can enjoy independent living without relying on loved ones or expensive ride sharing services to remain independent.

Transit Oriented Planning  in Lincolnville

Background Information on TOD:

• Our overview of Plans for the Bus Rapid Transit line.
• We've been advocating for TOD development around the site of the Old Navy Hospital in N. Charleston for a Year. 
• Tour the Lowcountery's Futureacape- A look at how autocentric planning in the Lowcountry is destroying our communities and culture
• A proposal for Transit Oriented Development at McMillian and Rivers
• Our Opposition to inappropriate and wasteful Gas Station Plan on the Transit Line
• The BCD COG has a web page on the TOD issue. 

Twelve Goals to Achieve transit justice – Build BRT and strengthen bus service

Achieve Transit Justice – Build BRT and Strengthen Bus Service

These 12 demands are part of a more detailed document containing over 70 recommendations for improving transit in the Lowcountry. They elaborate one of the demands being made by Climate Strike Charleston, “Achieve transit justice – Build BRT and strengthen bus service”

During the Global Climate Strike, Sept. 20 to 28, 2019, we are asking transit riders and the general public to review the Google Docs Version of the full, five page document online and post their comments and suggested additions and revisions. We are distributing the longer document online to reduce the use of paper and carbon impacts. Our organization has already begun work on all 12 of these goalsm but details and tactics continue to evolve with community input.

The final version will be published to the Democratic candidates for President present at the Blue Jamboree in Charleston County on Oct. 5 and delivered to Republican leaders and local elected officials and the BCD Cog, CARTA and Tri County Link shortly thereafter.

These 12 goals are the ways in which Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit believes the Lowcountry can use improved transit to reduce our community’s carbon footprint, slow the destructive changes in climate and sea level which threaten our community and increase environmental justice.

The full, detailed document is now open for comment on Google Docs.

12 Goals for a better Transit enabled future for the Lowcountry 

1. Plan, build and commence operation of the Bus Rapid Transit line on or before Oct. 1, 2022 connecting Charleston, N. Charleston, Summerville, Ladson & Lincolnville.
2. End the 11 Million dollar per year “Pay Go” diversion of transit funds and apply more of the 350 million dollars approved by voters in 2016 to approve existing regular bus service.
3. Build 20 more sheltered bus stops in Charleston County in 2020.
4. Return Transit service to the beach by Memorial Day 2020.
5. Double Transit Ridership by Seniors and Students by November 2020.
6. Transit Enable the Lowline for fast, efficient rapid transit service to the heart of Charleston.
7. Restore Webcast and Video Archiving of CARTA Board Meetings. Establish Webcasting and archiving of Tri County LINK board meetings.
8. Reserve space for affordable housing along planned rapid transit line.
9. Build complete streets for transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians.
10. Plan Rapid Transit to the heart of Downtown Summerville and increase frequency and coverage of transit service in Dorchester County.
11. Begin better bus service and shelters for Berkeley County
12. Maintain Breeze Bus service from Walterboro to Hilton Head and establish a circulator service connecting Walterboro with surrounding rural communities.

Read and comment on the full document 

at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IueWoN-ZDVPWLPKas2bc7UyThoi0L671/view?usp=sharing or contact William Hamilton at wjhamilton29464@gmail.comwjhamilton29464@gmail.com or call (843) 870-5299

Climate Strike for Sustainable Community for All

Note= 9-25-19- The schedule of events has been updated again, past events have been deleted.

The South Carolina Lowcountry must change its focus to its people and the future. Tourism, history, landmarks and the priorities of the wealthy cannot force us to wait until climate change, development, sea-level rise and globalization allow others to make all our decisions for us. We must have a community where affordable housing is available, living wages are paid and our transportation system offers mobility to all planned in a way that accounts for the changes in sea level and climate change. These plans must reduce the impact of those changes on the remaining generations that will live here.

Download Updated, printable PDF flyer- Ver. Sept. 12-230


A Strike for Climate, Mobility and Equity- From Friday, Sept. 20, the first day of the Global Strike for Climate until Oct. 5th, when candidates for President from around the nation will be here for the Blue Jamboree held by the local Democratic Party, our coalition will demand local, state and national government respond to the problems destroying the quality of life for ordinary people here. This includes the 30th. Anniversary of Hurricane Hugo, marking a generation since Charleston ignored its first wakeup call on climate and lost thousands of affordable housing units. During the generation since, sprawl development and gentrification have ended downtown Charleston’s inherited model for civic and economic life.

We demand that the next 30 years of planning in the Lowcountry focus on three priorities as they impact the lives of working people”

Sustainable Community for All

Living Wage & Unions for All - Raising the minimum wage will benefit everyone in Charleston—working people, businesses, and the entire economy. Research shows about 684,000 South Carolina workers — or a third of the state’s workforce — would see their wages increase if a $15 federal minimum wage were adopted by 2025. Why Unions? Unions can bargain for the establishment of workplace environment committees that give workers real power to set sustainability benchmarks and to play an active role in the implementation. Unions can also demand that employers commit to specific environmental goals directly in their contracts.

Affordable housing for All - on high ground in safe areas constructed in a durable, sustainable fashion which reduces carbon impacts.

Mobility for All- A Transit and Transportation system linking those jobs and living areas efficiently so that people have the time and choice they need to live rewarding lives without being forced to buy and maintain a car. Road planning in which the focus is on serving areas inland, uphill and accessible to all. Reduce carbon impacts, congestion and injuries to transit riders, pedestrians and cyclists with complete streets. You can read our detailed response to the climate Strike in 12 calls to action, which cover 70 planned transit agenda items  (Currently open for public comment through Google Docs) online now: Achieve Transit Justice, Build BRT and Strengthen Bus Service. 

Our Shared Demand for Transit Equity-

As part of the general Lowcountry Climate Strike effort we've committed to support, "Achieve transit justice – Build BRT and strengthen bus service."  Our detailed demands for Transit Equity add actionable detail to the generalized statement. Please read, share and comment. We'll revise after the climate strike and publish to the candidates for president, state and local leaders at the Blue Jamboree and other public events in October. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IueWoN-ZDVPWLPKas2bc7UyThoi0L671/view?usp=sharing

Tentative Summary Schedule

Note- For more detailed information on CofC connected events, check the links and the new Facebook Group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/CharlestonClimateStrike/  Note that past events have been deleted and many wonderful events have already ended. Plans for a second major series of events are not being made, so come to the remaining activities on the schedule to get involved and help shape the future of the local effort. 

Wednesday, September 25, 2019 7-8 PM Climate Justice: Unequal Consequences College of Charleston RSS235 Omar Muhammad

Thur. Sept. 26, 5 to 6 pm- Dutch Dialogues Demonstration- Join a demonstration outside the Gaillard Center before the last event (6 to 7:30 pm) focused on dealing with flooding facilitated by experts from the Netherlands. Make sure the needs of people and their right to resources for the future aren’t forgotten. (On CARTA 210, 20, 1, 2, 3 & 4 Bus Lines) Facebook Sign up for this event. 

We'll be filling in the final twenty spaces left on the Community Commitment to Transit that evening. That's the massive petition (image right, Congressman Sanford should have taken it more seriously) we've circulated for three years to hold our politicians to their promise to build the transit system made before the referendum. We'll have a mini teach in and demand, again, somewhat louder, that CARTA return bus service to the beach instead of just waiting for the ocean to come to the nearest bus stop in about 40 years. We'll have a table and sign making supplies on site. Other groups and activists are welcome to join and bring up there issues.

Friday, September 27, 2019 1-2 PM- Beneficial Plants: Let Nature Reduce Bad Insects Dr. Linda Geronilla @ Pink House (Permaculture) Dr. Linda Geronilla

September 27, 2019 5:00-6:30 PM Climate Change and Mental Health: Caring for Ourselves and the Planet at the Same Time Dr. Jen Wright College of Charleston RSS 252*

Image, left, we celebration our referndum victory for the new transit system on Rivers Ave. November 2016)

Saturday, Sept. 28, Rapid Rivers Reactivation- Persephone Moulton Community Center, North Charleston, South Carolina, 1919 Robertson Blvd. N. Charleston. Activists will do outreach along Rivers Ave. in N. Charleston.  We'll be working bus stops, street corners and hanging door knobs in neighborhoods along the planned transit line. We need people to stuff outreach bags, which can be done sitting down in the shade. We need people to walk the streets before heading to the Candidates for N. Charleston. We need four rock solid activists to join our Go Forward SMAK team which will cover several neighborhoods. SMAK stands for Speedy Movement Allied for Komunity, its a very fast structured, radio and internet enabled outreach team, bring a backpack and waterbottle.)  Bag stuffing begins at 8 am. First team goes out at 8:30 pm. SMAK deploys at 10:00 am.

Saturday, Sept. 28 3 pm- N. Charelston Mayoral Forum- That afternoon we'll converge on the Mayoral forum  at 3:00 pm. at Mt. Moriah Church. Along #10 CARTA Bus line. Get tickets for N. Charleston Mayor's Forum. Transit and affordable housing are two of the three issues the forum will focus on.

Saturday, October 5 - Unions for All - We will join Fight for $15 under the banner of Unions for All as we stand together on a day of action and solidarity. We will begin the day at 9am on Rivers Ave-nue by standing with workers, followed by a charter bus ride and lunch as we travel to the Blue Jamboree located at The Bend in North Charleston. Don’t miss this unprecedented opportunity to unite the fights for environmental, racial and economic justice.
*This is a national media event, please wear your organization tee or bring your signs. We will have a brainstorm/sign-making party towards the end of September to tie in various issues. Tickets for the Blue Jamboree, lunch, and transportation are included. Contact Amanda @ (803) 322-3097 or amanda.robertson@thefightfor15.org to add your organization to the list.

Sat. October 5- Blue Jamboree- Confront candidates for President at this Democratic Party event with our local priorities as we face a rising cost of living, rising congestion and a rising ocean. . Fight for $15 is organizing an action for the living wage which will begin on River's Ave. on the #10 bus line and provide free entrance and lunch to the Blue Jamboree where participants will parade in. Once you are at the event, visit our yellow information booth in the village area, make a button and learn about our work which will continue. We'll also have some spare chairs because sometimes you have to rest.

This coalition effort involves many organizations with radically differing approaches to the challenge of climate change. Not all organizations agree on the details of policy or method. Please communicate directly with the individual organization for their precise position and policies. Planning for all of these events has been disrupted by the recent Hurricane and changes are to be expected. 

Coalition Supporters
Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit
Lowcountry Up is Good
Fight for $15 and and a Union

Hashtags
#climatestrike
#fridaysforfuture
#chstransit

#UnionsForAll

Transit Enabled Community around the old Navy Hospital

Safer grade separated transit access, a cultural incubator cluster and walk able environment policing will help make development of the area around the old Navy Hospital a success.

After very limited consultation with our membership within Best Friends of Lowcoutnry Transit came up with three major suggestions regarding the redevelopment of Rivers Ave. and McMillan, including the area round the old Navy Hospital, former Shipwatch Square and closed Kmart.

Grade Separated Transit Access- Keeping Riders Safe 

Map of Planning Area in N. Chas.

The Transit Hub and McMillian and Rivers needs grade separated access to bus stops and the BRT stop. Since this area will serve a large, dense population, including, ultimately whatever is build on the old Navy Base and connections from the West Ashley area, a lot of traffic can be expected. if affordable housing is included in the plan, a large population of senior citizens and disabled persons will be attempting to use these stops as well. It's not going to be efficient or safe for pedestrians to be crossing Rivers and McMillian on grade with ordinary vehicular traffic.

Spaces to transfer to and from BRT, regular bus service, rideshare and private vehicles (kiss riders) would need to be planned so that pedestrians can avoid crossing traffic lanes to the greatest extent possible.

Bus Stop, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Pedestrian overpasses should allow transit riders to access the BRT and bus stops going in the various directions without the danger of pedestrian / vehicle collisions. Nearby buildings could be connected directly to the hub from their second floors eliminating climbs up or down stairs and reducing the need for elevators.

It would be possible to bring the BRT up to an above grade station so that it avoids conflicts with traffic at that intersection as well, creating an above grade streetscape dedicated to rapid transit and pedestrians. This is an expensive option, but it would transform the region's mobility with a vastly better gateway experience to the community. Ordinary pedestrain overpasses would be functional at lower cost.

Cultural Incubator

Rising rent, parking and space costs are making downtown Charleston a less practical place for young creatives to establish themselves. Youth oriented cultural activities are also leaving the old City and becoming disbursed to suburban areas where they find their market.

Youth planning transit system

A modestly sized cluster of incubator spaces for artistic work, performance linked to nearby affordable housing could produce huge benefits for the area and N. Charleston. it would help transform public perception of the area. it could leverage large scale civic spaces in nearby existing Churches and the new library to support events which would support a positive cultural and civic life in the area. This would would reduce crime and attract economic activity.

All of this would be linked by the planned Bus Rapid Transit Line to the established performance spaces and tourism entertainment market in downtown Charleston. An actor, musician or stage technician could reach work at the Dock Street Theater or a downtown Hotel in 25 minutes without any need for a car.

Meanwhile, small, modestly scaled studio and performance spaces at McMillian would allow younger creatives to put on events there with a local focus at low cost. They could find affordable housing with walking distance. This would be accessible to young artists in the already existing surrounding communities as well.

The Bus Rapid Transit system would allow all of this to exist without the high cost of parking structures and parking access infrastructure. Audiences could access performances and exhibitions without the need for a car or dealing with the cost of parking as well.

We've seen projects like this in other cities. Most were built around performance spaces of 99 audience seats or less and bare bones studio space. Regular co working spaces were usually found nearby. I've been to one such space in Seattle- http://www.12avearts.org/ and another in Philadelphia where the entire complex, including three functional performance spaces was inside a former town house on a street with no parking.

Law Enforcement

Some sort of office of the policemen patrolling the area needs to be included. Since this is a walk able, transit oriented space, a significant part of police work will need to be done on foot. on a bicycle or by the use of smaller electric vehicles. It may be worthwhile to train officers in how walk-able, urban, transit enabled spaces are supposed to work. Cultivating the goodwill and understanding or residents and visitors in outdoor occupied spaces would help drive crime out of the area. The hundreds of pairs of eyes put on the sidewalk, transit stop and public areas by transit riders and residents can assist the police in keeping the area safe and successful.

Pendarvis Op Ed

State Representative Marvin Pendavis (iamge, right) wrote an Op Ed in the Charleston Chronicle dealing with redevelopment of this area in Fall 2018.

Other Issues, Affordable Housing

We understand that many other issues must be considered in this planning, including creating a significant amount of affordable housing for people in the area and those being priced out of living downtown, including those in our Hospitality and Food Service Industries.  We also understand that the quality and performance of the entire future Bus Rapid Transit line is important to this project. We've treated those issues extensively in other materials and did raise them with the planners at our interview. We also know that Metanoia and CAJM also brought up those issues.

Pendarvis, Transit Advocates Help Move SC Towards Safer, Complete Streets at Legislature, On OHM Radio at 4 pm Wed.

Above, Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit members at SC State Capital

The “Complete Streets” Bill, H 3656,  was amended and Unanimously passed out of the Transportation Subcommittee of the Education and Public Works Committee of the South Carolina House of representatives after a contested hearing where advocates for reducing the toll of deaths and injuries suffered by Pedestrians, Transit Riders and Cyclists from across SC. Rep. Marvin Pendavis probed the State Department of Transportation with a courtroom like examination.  The bill will now go to the full committee for Consideration and if passed there, on to the House of Representatives for debate and vote.

Transit Advocate and Attorney, William Hamilton will be on OHM Radio in Charleston at 4 pm on Wednesday, March 27 talking about yesterdays hearing and how the struggle moves forward towards the full house, Senate and Governor’s office.

T

he bill requires the State Department of Transportation to adopt a “Complete Streets” policy to support planning for sidewalks, transit stops and bicycle lanes so that safe multimodal use of our roadways will be possible where appropriate. SC Currently has one of the highest rates of injury for pedestrians (including people walking to bus stops) and cyclists in the US. Charleston County has a pedestrian and cyclist injury rate three times that of any other country in the state. This makes it a struggle for transit riders to reach bus stops, making our transit system less effective.

You can view hearing testimony by Milicent Middleton (Johns island)  and Janet Dieckmann (Sangaree, Berkeley County) online.

The fight for better transit and safer ways to reach transit stops will continue Saturday, March 30 from 11 am to 4 pm in the BI-LO parking lot at 3575 Maybank Highway on Johns Island, SC when Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit holds the Sea Island Transit Funfest. This free event will over family activities including a map participants can mark to show government officials where bus stops should be located and an activity to make “Bus Stop Bus” flags to flag down John’s Island’s unreliable Tri County Link Bus Service. Tri Coounty LInk  lacks fixed stop and bus stop signs in most locations. Participants will also be able to send messages to Rep. Robert L.  Brown, a member of the Committee that considered the bill on Tuesday and who represents Johns Island, but who was not present for the hearing and has not yet cosponsored the bill. Button Making, a cookout, DJ and banner painting will be some of the other activities at the Transit Funfest.

John’s Island’s roads are horrific for pedestrians, transit riders and cyclists. Long, dark stretches of road without sidewalks or bike lanes have taken many lives and the home-made memorials of wooden crosses and white painted “ghost bikes” line roads for miles, giving  the impression of passing through a cemetery when they are traveled. Tri County Link’s bus lines lack stops or safe ways to reach the few roads the buses are supposed to run on.

For more information on Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit’s activities contact Executive Director William Hamilton at (843) 870-5299 or see www.bfltransit.com.

END END END

Tues. March 26- SC Safer “Complete Streets” Lobby Day and Hearing

Join transit, cycling and pedestrian safety advocates from across South Carolina for a day of action to help pass the Complete Streets Bill,  H. 3656 which would require the State Department of Transportation to adopt and apply a complete streets policy to all new roads constructed with its funding so that they’re safer for pedestrians, transit riders and cyclists. You can check the status of H 3656 on the Legislative Website.

Do Now

Ask your Representative  to cosponsor the H. 3656- You can find out who your representative is by using the Find Your Legislator Web page.  We'll be doing State Senators later in the process. 

Reserve your seat in the van going to Columbia. Most seats are free. Riding shotgun costs $50. You can also make donations. Get your seat now. Standby spots are available.  Download a printable flyer to share with all the details.

Rep. Marvin Pendavis has issued a press release on the legislation.

Contact your friends across the state online or better yet, on the phone and ask them to join us on Tues. March 26. You can download a flyer on the effort.

On Tues., March 26

Rep. Marvin Pendarvis

• 8:00 am- Van trip from Charleston. Meet in the parking lot of the Longshoreman’s Hall at 8:00 am or in the parking lot next to CARTA Superstop at 8:20 am for Trip to Columbia. You must RSVP to ride. A $10 contribution for gas and vehicle rent is requested.
• 12:00 noon – Meet with advocates from across South Carolina  inside the Statehouse under the dome in the Lobby. We’ll have “Transit Voter Stickers” and Information sheets for all participants. We’ll meet with legislators and other activists while the House is in session.
• 2 to 4 pm,  AFTER SESSION- We’ll testify at the hearing of the House Committee which will convene after the legislative session ends.
• COFFEE- Before returning to Charleston, we’ll meet with other activists from across the state to compare notes and plan our next steps. Return trip to Charleston will follow, Time TBD.

Afterwards

If the bill gets out of committee, it will go to the house for a vote. If the house votes to approve it before “crossover day” it will to the Senate to be considered.

More information
On the Bill, Contact Rep. Marvin Pendarvis

On the Trip and Grassroots Effort, Contact Best Friends of Lowcountry Tranist Executive Director, William Hamilton (843) 870-5299 or wjhamilton29464@gmail.com

Call Now and Ask for A Hearing on Safer Complete Streets Bill H. 3656

Six pedestrians and cyclists have been killed on Charleston’s roadways since New Year’s Day. SC is one of the most dangerous places in the US to Walk, Bike or Ride the Bus. Charleston County is the most dangerous place in SC. The Lowcountry can’t operate a successful transit system if people can’t survive walking or biking to and from our transit stops. Crossing deadly roadways is one of the most common reasons elderly and disabled people cite for not riding the bus. That depresses ridership and leads to cancellation and reductions in transit service.

Bring Safer, Complete Streets to SC

Bus stop in Mt. Pleasant, SC

We need a law to require the SC Department of Transportation to adopt a statewide “Complete Streets” policy so new and improved roadways are safe for transit riders, pedestrians and cyclists with sidewalks, transit stops, bike lanes and safe road crossings. Representatives Marvin Pendavis and JA Moore have introduced H. 3656.

To help pass this bill, we need to have the House Education and Public Works Committee hold a hearing on H 3656- “A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-30, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE FUNCTIONS AND PURPOSES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT A "COMPLETE STREETS" POLICY TO PROVIDE SAFE AND EFFICIENT ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS, AND TRANSIT RIDERS.” In the next few weeks.

Unless a hearing is held soon, H. 3656 won’t pass out of the house in time to make the critical “crossover date” to be taken up by the State Senate and passed this year. Hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of new roads will be planned before the Legislature has the opportunity to act again.

Call and ask for a hearing on H. 3656 Today

• Rep.  Merita A. "Rita" Allison,  Chairman of Chairman, House Education and Public Works Committee, Legislative office - Phone (803) 734-3053
• Rep. R. Raye Felder has signed on as a cosponsor of the legislation, Please thank her and ask her to psuh for a hearing soon - Legislative phone number  (803) 212-6892
• Email- You can also email gingerlee@schouse.gov to request the committee set a hearing and attach detailed input.

Full information on the H. 3656’s current status- https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3656&session=123&summary=B&fbclid=IwAR3XkQ7ov_jSfaSP7j9c-_szNobxxrb6eUr1dn5muqdhRs4Sp81VPB0W4Eo

Detailed information on Complete Streets Planning https://smartgrowthamerica.org/program/national-complete-streets-coalition/

Support Safer, Complete Streets for South Carolina

South Carolina, has some of the most dangerous roads in the United States for pedestrians, transit riders or cyclists. Charleston County has a rate of injuries about 3 times any other county in the state. Over the past weekend one pedestrian was killed and another critically injured on Charleston’s streets.

We can reduce this death and suffering by passing the Complete Streets Act H 3656, introduced by Representatives Marvin Pendarvis and JA Moore. Now cosponsored by Representative S. Williams, Garvin, Cogswell and Felder, its a bipartisan bill. H. 3656 which would require the State Department of Transportation to adopt and apply a complete streets policy to new roads and road improvement projects funded by the state. This would include sidewalks, transit stops and bike lanes. Attention to safe pedestrian crossings would be required. The level of facilities required would vary according to the location and type of road planned.

You can help pass this bill right now. Call the Legislative Council in Columbia at (803) 212-4500. Ask for the name of your State Representative and his phone number at the legislator. Phone their office and ask them to sign on as a cosponsor for H 3656 and ask for a call back. You can also use the Find Your SC Legislator page online and send an electronic message to your State Representative. 

While some of these deaths and injuries are the legal fault of the person hit, that makes little difference in the total cost of the injury. The injured still arrive at a local ER, often without insurance for treatment at a potential cost of hundreds or thousands or even millions of dollar with treatment and disability payments extending far into the future. Families lose a breadwinner. Employers lose the help they need for their businesses to function.

For the elderly person or disabled person who can’t cross a dangerous, busy street to get to the bus stop, it’s lost income to CARTA and the risk that bus service may be reduced or ended due to inadequate ridership.  Such Barriers llimit the ability of many  to get to work, senior citizens centers or medical treatment. Money which might support local business goes to Amazon.

Over 50 years after they were constructed, parts of Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Rivers Ave and Dorchester Road where there are no sidewalks. Hundreds of bus stops lack shelters, subjecting transit riders to humiliating waits for the bus in the rain and blistering heat in the summer. Bike lanes are absent throughout the state.

For a tourism focused economy like Charleston’s, the Grand Strand or Beaufort the cost in injury and death can be very high. The people who make our restaurants and hotels operate 24 hours a day are walking, biking and taking transit to work. They’re often out in the dark, in bad weather or in traffic full of frustrated visitors unaccustomed to our road networks. It’s a lethal combination. It places a cruel premium charged for working here on top of the modest wages they accept.

Please contact your State Representative today.

Information on H 3656 and four other bills to improve transit, increase road safety and make affordable housing more available in areas served by transit can be found at https://tinyurl/transitSC2019 online.

Additional Information.

Smart Growth America- Complete Streets Coalition, Plans and Policies
City Paper Editorial - How many people have to die before Charleston becomes safer for pedestrians and cyclists?
Post and Courier Report on Charleston's unsafe Streets.
City Paper Article on three of the Pedestrian & Cyclists Deaths in Charleston this year