Top Reasons Charleston Is Choosing Tourism over Basic Resident Livability
By Mark A. Leon
In a destination city environment, the municipality walks a fine line between catering to the tourists and the local community. It is a challenge to balance the needs of one without neglecting the other. A number of factors play into the decisions around how each group is treated. Often times, perception plays a part in people’s reactions to some decisions that may affect one group adversely. We have looked at perception and reality and determined that is there a strong sentiment that local residents are losing the battle to tourism.
The separation point of perception and reality is data. Data will always provide substantiated evidence.
We have looked at some data points, daily observation and chatter to compile a list of the reasons we feel the city is choosing tourism over resident livability.
- Multi-million dollar investment firms from out of state and locally are monopolizing on an opportunity to reduce the historic footprint and create a new hospitality center focused on boutique hotels, luxury stay experiences and high end shopping and dining. These investments range from small to large, including a group of New York investors that purchased the building housing Blind Tiger on Broad Street and the new $100M complex that is being planned for Spring and King. In between, we are showered by the Dewberry, Spectator, Grand Bohemian, Zero George, Hyatt, Holiday Inn Suites and Hotel Bennett that are changing the face of historic Charleston. When you have a hotel that can charge $600 a night while you still have issues around waste management and homelessness, it is time to re-think strategy.
- Generation old local business are being forced out or into retirement due to urban pressures and rising rents. 2016 saw the end of Hughes Lumber, Bob Ellis Shoes, King Street Grille and Morris Sokol. Those four foundations closing their doors speak volumes. Even this past week, we heard that Fish will be closing on Upper King Street.
Limited improvements in roadway infrastructure. A recent article in the Post and Courier indicated that Charleston residents are paying $1850 annually on average for car repairs due to the poor road systems as a result of the increased traffic in the surrounding counties. In the cross town we added an aesthetically pleasing divider, yet there are cones, cranes and construction throughout the entire span with some projects taking us through 2020 and beyond.
- Cost of dining and entertainment have forced many locals to reduce the amount of leisure activity. With a 10.5% dining food tax and 15% alcohol and increased base prices across the board, the dining experience is shifting from a locals experience to a tourist luxury.
- Increases in the price of parking garages and more opportunistic valet options.
- Corporate transition of downtown Charleston – Hyatt, Vans, Forever 21, West Elm, 3 Starbucks on King Street alone (8 total downtown), Panera, Walgreens, Carolina Ale House, Chipotle, Five Guys Burgers, Chik-fil-a, Subway, Williams-Sonoma, Urban Outfitters and Earthbound. The local names and generational families businesses are losing out to corporate brands.
- Removing the only neighborhood grocery store in the Northern central part of the peninsula where most of the East Side would shop and masking the concern by funding short term busing options for the residents to get groceries out of the city limits.
- A poorly managed parking meter system and mass transit service. There are a few groups that are working hard to change the culture and promote a change in thinking around mass transit, but that isn’t enough. When cities like Beaufort and Asheville have credit card meters and apps where you can pay, we are lagging far behind.
- No monthly or annual subsidized parking for employees who work in downtown Charleston.
- Limited enforcement of jaywalking laws and thus increasing risk of injury. Limited proposals and implementations around increased biking options for residents.
These are a few of the major reasons, the emphasis is on the tourist and local residents are faced with daily challenges that will continue to mount over the upcoming years.
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Wish I had known what the plan was before I moved here 5 years ago. Then, one never saw litter nor heard car horns honking. Now it is everywhere. Where has the Southern hospitality gone by placing 400 no parking signs on Isle of Palms last year? Nice, elegant and sophisticated people do not like to live on top of each other amid the massive gridlock that is now Charleston. The outlying areas are being developed at a dizzying pace. Traffic is horrendous. Greed will destroy this town.
Well said Karen.
Very well stated.
Karen, if you moved here 5 years ago, you contributed to this problem. I wish all of you out of towners would go back home and give us our city back.
Thats what the native americans said.
Yea, I was born in Kentucky, but I am a “other”. A “Native American” is someone born in America. You are talking about a “Indigenous Americans”
Haha, moved here 5 years ago and complaining about change and grid lock that is now Charleston! This article is talking about you northerners who came down as tourists, and ended up staying. Why would they cater to residents when this is exactly what you stayed for “modern Charleston”. Hospitality?! Charleston has lost its hospitality a long time ago. What hospitality when 9 out of 10 people you meet now a days is from Ohio, NY, NJ, and Michigan. Greed won’t destroy this town Karin, it will be you and rest of the north.
AGREED!
Charlestonians prostituted themselves for a dollar and continue to do so even when they fain concern for the loss of grandmother’s downtown home as they walked into the lawyers office to sign the deed and cash ou or turn around and complain of the ‘offs’.
Hey, Reggie, when did you move here?
Agreed!!!
While this article made some salient points it is full of misinformation. The blind tiger building was bought by a partnership of a local attorney who moved his office into the building and a local restaraunteur. Hughes lumber, Bob Ellis, Morris Sokol all owned their buildings. Each one of them chose to sell because their future generations did not want to run the businesses and the owners could make more money for their families selling the real estate than the business. And fish Is being rebranded because the restaurant became stale.
Thanks Alex for clarifying those points!
While there is certainly some truth to the article, it’s all a matter of perspective. People’s angst about newcomers and a changing urban/suburban landscape is too often betrayed by their own corporate shopping/dining habits and that many are not originally from the Lowcountry themselves.
For me, moderation is best and I enjoy both local and chain stores/restaurants. It is really disappointing that so many supposedly well mannered local people will take any opportunity to criticize their fellow Americans for wanting to relocate here (especially being harsh towards those from the Northeast and Midwest).
I have lived in Charleston for 14 years and plan on leaving next summer after my step daughter graduates. The cost of living is too high, the crime is getting out of control, and the education here is below average. Luckily my son will only have to complete kindergarten while we are still here.
I fled my ancestral home in Murrells Inlet 20 years ago, running just ahead of the tidal wave of greed that finished turning the already-tacky area into a giant geriatric home, with biker bars and antique stores as backdrop. Now, here I am again, preparing to flee ahead of another wave, this one composed of hoteliers and chefs. When the realization hits that they have destroyed the reasons people were coming here in the first place, it will be too late. History repeating. Let’s just turn our section of the East Coast into a massive strip mall with overpriced restaurants and hotels, that’s a winning combo…
I am a Charleston reside, born and raised in Hollywood, SC. I never imagined anything outside of settling in Charleston. I am now preparing to relocate to another (more stable) south eastern city in the next 4 weeks. It does not seem that Charleston understands how to manage this upward growth. The charm of the city was the small-town vibe. Now, that is being lost. I’d much rather pour my money and resources into a city that’s figured it out than play politics with this cities leaders, who seem to only think short term.
“Generation old local business are being forced out or into retirement due to urban pressures and rising rents. 2016 saw the end of Hughes Lumber, Bob Ellis Shoes, King Street Grille and Morris Sokol. Those four foundations closing their doors speak volumes. Even this past week, we heard that Fish will be closing on Upper King Street.” The owner of Bob Ellis Shoes had personal reasons for selling, not the least of which was the huge $$$ value of his building. Fish is not closing, just re-inventing themselves as Parcel 32. Mr. Sokol retired at 83 years old, unforced. None of his heirs wanted the business. None of these particular statements indicate an embrace of tourism as much as business development as usual.
When people who have been in Charleston for 3 days say they are “from Charleston” you get a slight idea of the lack of respect people who were born there 70 years ago are enjoying. I decided to leave last year when I realized the town has turned intoHistoric Disneyland
and the newcomers from the North immediately start
trying to change the city (and there are so many of them… yeah, they are not trained in manners or common curtesy).i can’t stand to see what is happening to the city, it’s too sad.
As an educated, 75 year ol caucasian female from the “north” I am appalled at the disparaging remarks.
I do believe the expansion in Charleston is all about money. Charlleston is a beautiful city steeped in history and one of the most visited in the world.
As a respectful well mannered individual are you forgetting your mannners? Who built this beautiful city?
I lived in Chas. for 10 years after being stationed there in the Navy. I have many fond memories of the people I met and the businesses I worked for. My last visit to Chas. was 4 years ago and I was shocked at what I saw, not much left downtown of the charming city I grew to love. I still remember Chas. very fondly, but I would not consider living there again, my friends that are still there tell me way too many stories of how things have changed, and not for the good.
I could read this article and replace “Charleston” with “Nashville” for nearly every point made. I’m glad for growth and economic stimulation, but when a city risks losing the reason it was unique, one wonders if it isn’t creating a bubble that will burst. Why go Nashville or Charleston when you can stay home and eat at Chipotle?
Thank you for your well written article. In addition to Charleston economic boom, the quantum shift and ever changing retailing environment contributed to the recent sale or closure “local retailers” like Hughes Lumber, Bob Ellis Shoes and Morris Sokol. This retailing metamorphosis is occurring in every city around the country. The difference is Charleston is absorbing these retail buildings at staggering prices. In most regions of the country, these retail stores are becoming empty shells and fueling intercity blight.
I am so tired of hearing how all of Charleston’s issues are because of Northerner’s relocating to the area. Besides showing how ignorant you are it also shows your inability to be accountable. Why didn’t you as a native not make your voice heard, go to planning meetings, write a letter or get involved in the future of your city? Don’t just sit there and point your finger about everyone ruining your city – get off your soap box and be proactive instead of ignorant. Yes, I’m a Yankee and proud of it. I’ve been living in Charleston for 14 years and I attend meetings that affect my community and let my voice to be heard.
Because it is run by Democrates
Just wait till the day when the residents in the labor force who provide the many food and hospitality services that a city such as charleston needs to b a top vacation destination can’t afford to live in the holy city or in nearby Summerville . Theyve done a great job of promoting the city but it really needs to slow down .Charleston just does not have the resources or infrastructure to handle these masses of tourists . Try walking down some of the historic streets (which I have done numerous times) after a couple of days of rain and you can smell the sewage backup issues on every other street.
Over the past 5 years at least a billion dollars, that’s right billion, not million, of new buildings have been thrown up on the peninsula south of Huger St. All of this new property is, or should be, taxed at 6% – not 4%. Of all of this millions in new taxes flowing into the city coffers, what are they doing with it? It way past time for a tax reduction in the city. If not, someone close to the mayor please explain where all of this additional money is going?
The most effective answer to this problem of development pressure downtown is to focus on West Ashley’s revitalization, where well planned development and redevelopment will be welcomed.
Saw Charleston through hurricane Hugo, which devastated the city but the residents pushed on. After Matthew, I’m scared to see what most would do in the face of didaster now that the city has tripled in population since then, or what if we get a tsunami instead of an earthquake.
Part of the problem is that you can stay current, attend meetings, voice your concerns/displeasure and they are still going to push these projects through! Another problem IS the northerners moving down here- the ones who want things like they had back home; the ones who move here trying to wipe out our Southern history (which, by the way, makes Charleston what it is/was)because they have been taught that the civil war was fought over slavery and have never bothered to look further and find the real reasons. We are a kind, well-mannered, friendly group by and large, until you push us and tell us what you don’t like about our home!
Well, I have lived here in the chucktown all my life. I now reside in Goose Creek where it is a little bit quieter. Only time I go downtown is to see my mother. It is a shame to see how the greed for money has changed our once beautiful city. I once used to work in the restaurants downtown on Market Street. I no longer come down to dine because of the rising prices and taxes the restaurants have to charge. Places where I once was able to go have become gentrified. This is not the Charleston I lived in. It is now a circus of a town where they build homes in peoples backyards. They don’t allow the blacks to have their softball games there anymore. I can understand rooting out the bad elements, but, don’t treat the good black folks like they’re nothing.