Concord Park (Charleston) facts for kids

Concord Park is a large area in Charleston, South Carolina. It's close to the Cooper River and the South Carolina Aquarium. The name "Concord Park" refers to a few things: a 5.4-acre public park in the middle, a 3.7-acre area with homes and shops around the edges, and the whole project together.

History of Concord Park

For many years, starting in 1847, the land where Concord Park now stands was an industrial site. It used to have a factory that made gas. This factory left behind some chemicals in the soil.

In 1940, a housing project called Ansonborough Homes was built here. It had 162 homes for people with lower incomes. This project was part of a government plan to improve city areas.

Why the Homes Closed

The Ansonborough Homes were closed in 1991. The city said there were problems with pollution and flooding. The people living there moved to new places. The buildings were taken down in October 1996.

Some reports in September 1996 said the land was not contaminated. Because of this, some former residents thought the city wanted to clear the land. They believed the city wanted to build more expensive things there instead.

Planning a New Future

After the homes were gone, the City of Charleston wanted to develop the land. This was the biggest undeveloped piece of land in that part of the city. The city wanted to create a mix of homes and businesses.

In March 2005, the city started planning. Their idea was to have a 5.4-acre park. They also planned for homes and businesses on another 3.7 acres.

Planning the New Development

The city asked different companies to suggest ideas for the land. They chose a plan from a company called East West Cumberland Park Associates. This happened more than a year before the final sale.

The developer would buy 3.48 acres of land from the city. They would also get almost an acre of public pathways. The total cost for the land was $16 million. The city wanted a public park in the middle of the area.

What Was Built?

The agreement said East West would pay $16 million. They also had to build public restrooms in the park. They promised to create 60 homes that people with lower incomes could afford. Plus, they would set aside office space for non-profit groups at a lower rent.

There were different ideas about the affordable housing. Some people wanted more free-market homes to get more money from the sale. Others wanted to replace all 162 homes that were torn down. Some even wanted the whole area to be a single park.

Besides the affordable homes, the plan allowed for 163 market-rate homes. It also included up to two 50-room hotels, shops, and office space.

Delays and Changes

The original plan faced delays because of money problems in the economy. The developer was given more time several times. In May 2008, they asked for a delay to work out environmental clean-up issues.

In late 2009, the city changed the agreement. This allowed East West to sell part of the property. They could also add more office space and build fewer homes. By October 2010, East West was working on a deal. They planned to sell a piece of land to a company that would build the required affordable housing.

The first new building started in October 2010. It was a four-story office building at 25 Calhoun Street.

Designing Gadsdenboro Park

The city held meetings to get ideas for the central park space. In August 2008, a consultant shared early ideas for the park's design. People liked ideas such as garden areas, fountains, and plenty of places to sit. They also wanted shaded spots and public art.

The design included a playground, picnic area, and soccer fields. There was also a plan for a "sports run" with a small basketball court. One corner of the park was even considered for dogs.

In 2016, the city officially opened the park, naming it Gadsdenboro Park.