CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A redesign of Slack Plaza will create a green island in the center of downtown Charleston, according to Dave Gilmore of GAI Consultants, who presented their plan to board members of the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority Wednesday.
The plan for the plaza, now being referred to as “The John Slack Green,” includes a redevelopment of more than 16 acres, including work on the Brawley Walkway, which runs from Capitol Street to Court Street, the plaza and the crosswalks, making the downtown area “more pedestrian.”
The circular lawn and expanded walkway would allow for a portable ice skating rink, fairs, tents for festivals and concerts in the park, City Manager David Molgaard said.
“The intent is to make it more comfortable for people to be transported from our downtown village district to the (Charleston Town Center) mall, so it will ultimately attract more retail, entrepreneurs and businesses,” said Molgaard.
Along the walkway, GAI plans to install an opaque screen wall with light pads, so it illuminates the space, making the downtown section of the city feel more energized.
Gilmore emphasized they want to create a new town square by respecting Charleston’s rich history, but also making sure they build an adequate project to last for years to come.
“We have a project down there now, that I think everybody agrees, doesn’t work well,” said Molgaard, “It’s tired looking. We don’t want this new project to be the same in a very short period of time.”
In conjunction with the Charleston Civic Center’s multimillion dollar renovation project, that broke ground recently on the other side of the mall, Molgaard said this project would create connectivity.
“This will create a true linkage from a premiere venue where we’re attracting meetings, conventions and conferences into our city with hotels around it.”
The plan includes a replacement of the Middle East Mart on Laidley Street with a police station for a K-9 unit and bicycle unit. Gilmore said this is meant to make the area safer.
GAI has plans to also move the KRT Transmit Mall south and have its ticket office separate from the original Slack Plaza.
Molgaard said that part of the plan will be completed by the city, with their own construction crew, so they should be able to move forward with that by August 1.
He said the plan is “somewhat ambitious,” but is all about funding. Currently, the city has approximately $650,000 left on a grant they already have for construction.
Work for the project would be completed in phases. The first part of construction would be from Court Street to Laidley Street, after the city receives approval from the state and federal government.
Construction could begin by the end of 2015.