534-538 King Street Demolition Proposal – What you need to know and how you can help

534-538 KING STREET DEMOLITION PROPOSAL
  
A proposal to demolish 534-538 King Street, an irreplaceable Mid-Century Modern building on upper King Street, will be discussed THIS THURSDAY at the BAR-S meeting. This building is at immediate risk and your voice is needed.

The PSC will continue to make the case that not only is 534-538 King an increasingly rare and intact example of Mid-Century Modern commercial architecture in Charleston, but that it represents a deep connection to the social and cultural history of King Street. 

This year, the City of Charleston will update its architectural survey for the first time in 50 years as work begins to pursue National Register Historic District status for Upper King Street. To lose 534-538 King before these efforts get underway would be a missed opportunity to better understand this building’s contribution to the city’s architectural heritage and legacies of Jewish- and Black-owned businesses. 
  
HOW YOU CAN HELP:


• Make your voice heard at the BAR-S Meeting on Thursday. Jan. 23! – Click HERE for review meeting details.
• Post a public comment by TOMORROW Wednesday, Jan. 22 at noon. Click HERE to make a comment.
• Share the Instagram post and tag @preservationsociety to amplify the message. 

Points to emphasize in your comments:  

• 534-538 King Street is an important example of Mid-Century Modern design and contributes to the architectural diversity of upper King Street 
• This building represents the legacy of upper King Street as a hub of Black- and Jewish-owned businesses 
• Each storefront has its own unique history that should be considered (534 King once housed The Chronicle, a long-standing newspaper serving the Black community; 536 King housed the Black-owned and operated Reeves & Son Shoe Repair for 30 years; 538 King was home to Southeastern Business College, which served primarily Black students) 
• This building deserves the opportunity to be evaluated as part of the City’s architectural survey update and Upper King Street National Register Historic District nomination process  
• Despite the applicant’s claims, this building has value and IS important to our city’s future. Let’s protect Charleston, one building at a time.

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