Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy in James Island, SC

Charleston County is set to begin construction on a project that will alleviate traffic for West Ashley and Johns Island residents, officials told residents at the first quarterly update meeting for the road improvements March 13.

The project encompasses a number of improvements to help with traffic including construction of flyovers at the intersection of Main Road and U.S. Highway 17, an interchange at Main Road and Highway 17 for drivers who want to avoid the intersection, a bridge over CSX Railroad, a roundabout at the intersection of Main, Chisholm and River roads, and a widening of Main Road from River and Chisholm roads to the interchange ramps.

The improvements were originally part of a bigger project for Main Road, from Bees Ferry Road to Betsy Kerrison Parkway. The project was then split into three segments, with this segment first estimated to cost $130 million in 2020.

This now $354 million project — the largest infrastructure project in Charleston County history — is funded by the 2016 half-cent transportation sales tax.

Herb Nimz, county project manager, said during the county's quarterly project meeting on March 13 that they're still in the permitting process, but have worked on securing right-of-way acquisition. They're also currently doing test piles, or assessing the strength and stability of the columns that will support the interchange and flyovers. Plans are in the works to relocate utilities, like Charleston Water System and Dominion Energy, before construction starts in May, he said.

Most of the road work on Main Road and Highway 17 will take place at night, but residents should still expect some backup during construction, Nimz said.

"It's going to get worse before it gets better," Nimz said.

Residents in West Ashley and on Johns Island who live around the roads slated for changes have mixed feelings.

Jacob Andrew, a Johns Island resident, said he's excited about how the road project will help with traffic.

"It’s going to work," he said. "They could get it 50 percent right, and it would be better than the way it is now."

However, he worries about how traffic volume will only continue to increase around where he lives off Main Road as more people continue to move to the Lowcountry.

Census data shows the population of Johns Island's specifically surged from roughly 15,100 people in 2010 to almost 22,900 in 2021. More than 25,000 people are estimated to live on the island today.

The county will most likely be back to the drawing board in 10 years to come up with another solution, Andrew said.

Andrew is also unhappy the county cut plans for a bike and pedestrian bridge adjacent to the Limehouse Bridge that was previously included in the project. Nimz said he's met with the state Department of Transportation and is working to add at least a sidewalk to the bridge.

West Ashley resident Jamie Jacobs is looking forward to the changes, but worries congestion may remain as Main Road and Highway 17 are highly trafficked roads for people coming from West Ashley, Ravenel and Johns Island.

Ultimately, she said if the flyovers and interchange allow for commuters to no longer wait at the red light at the intersection of Main Road and Highway 17 for an hour, residents will be much happier.

Officials expect the project to be complete late September 2028.

|Updated: Apr. 10, 2025 at 6:42 PM EDT

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Some James Island residents are at odds over how their tax dollars should be spent after a years-long agreement with the public service district was put to an end.

The Town of James Island first adopted a cost-share agreement in 2019 with the James Island Public Service District to help fund services like fire and solid waste collection. Now, with this agreement ending, the town is putting the money toward infrastructure and parks projects, causing residents to have to pay more in their taxes to help fund the services the town once supplemented.

And the decision has some neighbors, like long-time James Island resident Ronald Wiggins, frustrated.

“It shouldn’t have been ended,” Wiggins said.

JIPSD district manager Ashley Kellahan sent the following statement in response:

The James Island Public Service District provides solid waste collection, fire projection, and wastewater services for citizens who reside in the Town of James Island as well as those who live in unincorporated Charleston County on James Island.

Since 2019, the Town of James Island offered its residents a credit to their property taxes. It’s important to note that our property taxes are for solid waste collection and fire protection services only. The Wastewater department is solely funded by user fees.

This year, we were informed the Town voted to end the Cost-Share agreement. For residents within the Town’s jurisdiction, this will result in an approximate increase of 28% to the JIPSD portion of the taxes, and an approximate increase of 15% to the overall property tax bill.

We are not raising property taxes this year, but since the Town’s credit is being removed, the result will be higher taxes for Town of James Island residents.

The town itself does not provide any tax bill.

Other resident Butch Cooper says he owns two homes on the island.

“So, my bill will probably go up $800-$900 a year,” Cooper said. “A lot of money.”

James Island Mayor Brook Lyon says the decision came from a resolution made during a recent town council meeting. Some say it should have been a town vote.

“The biggest thing, I think, is the mayor needs to start letting everybody on James Island know,” Cooper said. “If you’re going to do something that affects the whole island and everybody in it, they should know about it.”

Lyon says this extra money will now go towards more greenspace, a vac truck for drainage — which she says is desperately needed — and other additions like public restrooms and a pavilion at Mill Point Park.

“No other municipality does this sort of thing either and unfortunately, we feel like it’s a much better service for our citizens,” Lyon said.

James Island resident Schuyler Blair agrees with her.

“Unfortunately, our world is getting more expensive and sometimes money is needed to do the bare minimum and to make sure that we continue to be who James Island is,” Blair said.

Other resident Wendy Teel agrees with the mayor and provided this statement:

“There is community value in JIPSD using its funds and land sales proceeds to build updated fire stations, operate waste pickup & disposal, continue sewer operations while updating failing infrastructure.

There is also community value in the Town of James Island being able to afford securing some of the remaining green spaces on James Island for parks and community activities! Even passively, the community benefits from parks and unpaved natural spaces as they help absorb excess rain and stormwater. This helps prevent flooding in neighborhoods.

The Town of James Island should be able to use their funds to better the town for the community, and I am in support of ending the cost-sharing agreement with the JIPSD in order to do so!"

This tax increase will go into effect this June.

“We need to buy as much land left as we can to keep the quality of life improving for our citizens,” Lyon said.

“If you want to do that, get private investment and people donate to buy the land,” Wiggins said. “Don’t use tax money to do it.”

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

A miniature golf course with an onsite restaurant and bar has been proposed for a busy corner on James Island.

The lot at Folly Road and Grimball Road Extension is currently empty and surrounded by a chain-link fence. It's across from Spyglass Seaside, a resort-style apartment complex.

Plans have been submitted to transform the property into a development called Community Corner, which would include a miniature golf course with a restaurant, bar and retail space on nearly three acres. The applicant is Grimball Corner Investments LLC.

The developer is looking to incorporate 114 parking spaces, most of which would be on another parcel across Grimball Road Extension. There is an existing traffic signal at the intersection, and sidewalks would be added to both sides of the property, renderings show.

The area is zoned for limited business, which allows for a variety of commercial uses and services that are compatible with residential areas.

Charleston’s Technical Review Committee, a staff-level look at site plans, considered Community Corner on Jan. 16. The city asked the owner to revise and resubmit plans based on concerns about stormwater runoff, flooding, traffic and other issues.

Charles Wilson of Grimball Corner Investments declined to comment about the development.

Pop-up no more

Think pink. Lots of it, in every shade.

That's what shoppers of Freshfields Village can expect when LoveShackFancy transitions from a pop-up to a permanent boutique at the Kiawah Island retail center.

New York City-based lifestyle brand was founded in 2013 by stylist, designer and creative director Rebecca Hessel Cohen who wanted to revel in the beauty of a rose-colored world.

The new Charleston area store offers an expanded selection of its uber-feminine women’s fashion and accessories, as well as perfume bedding and a children's collection.

In 2018, Cohen opened opened her first Charleston storefront at 218 King St. She now operates 20 stores throughout the U.S., from California to New York, and the United Kingdom.

Nearby in Freshfields Village, Café Eugenia, a to-go café and gourmet market, is expanding to a space next door and will be offering cooking classes and specialty workshops.

StretchLab, an assisted stretching studio, also opened 164 Gardeners Circle in the outdoor retail center. The studio offers help with increased mobility, improved posture and injury prevention through one-on-one stretch sessions for all fitness levels.

The franchise previously held a popup at the shopping center offering 15 minute demonstrations.

Another StretchLab is currently open on 151 Market St. in downtown Charleston.

Bank note

An Alabama lender has cut the ribbon on a new branch at 319 North Cedar St. in Summerville.

The site is the second in the Charleston area for Birmingham-based ServisFirst Bank, which for years has had an office in The Cigar Factory at 701 East Bay St. on the peninsula.

The Flowertown outpost will have 10 employees and features a drive-thru.

Coast-to-coast

Southern California lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne is making its Palmetto State debut on Charleston's busiest retail corridor.

The West Hollywood company said it plans to open its first retail location in the state on April 12 at 364 King St., between Calhoun Street and Burns Lane.

The 2,340-square-foot parcel will stock a full range of Jenni Kayne's coastal-inspired products, including apparel, accessories and décor. The store will also carry Oak Essentials, the founder's clean skincare line.

Drink up

A New Orleans-style restaurant in North Charleston is angling to add beer and liquor to its menu offerings.

The Seafood Pot recently applied to the S.C. Department of Revenue for on-site consumption of adult beverages in its Gas Lite Square location at 5629 Rivers Ave.

Taco 'bout Nexton

The Mexican-style restaurant El Patron Nexton is preparing to open and recently submitted an application to sell beer, wine and liquor at its at future Marketplace at Nexton space at 422 Cross Park Lane.

Premier Building Construction posted a sneak peek of the progress with floor-to-ceiling glazed overhead doors. The 2,900 square-foot restaurant will have indoor and outdoor bars and dining space.

A new chapter

A dark academia-inspired coffee shop and bookstore will officially open April 12 in Mount Pleasant.

Patrons of The Archive can buy a book, sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail or mocktail, coffee, pastries and more in its corner spot at 700 Shelmore Blvd., near Mathis Ferry Road and the I'On neighborhood.

The store tailors to a subgenre of romance books and thrillers typically set in schools or secret societies, but will have something for everyone, owner Amanda Badeau said.

Enviro-outlet

Tanger Outlets in North Charleston will hold an Earth Day event April 19 from noon-3 p.m. with live music, native plant and bouquets sales, and a free gardening class. There will also be critters from the S.C. Aquarium, local vendors and hands-on workshops about protecting the environment.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - When a student misses school, it can be hard to get caught up, which has prompted a James Island teacher to start collecting materials to help.

Jennifer Wakefield teaches International Baccalaureate Anthropology, AP European History and U.S. History at James Island Charter High School. Wakefield, who has worked at the school for eight years, says her students are what she likes best about her job.

“These guys, like working with the kids, yeah. I like watching the light bulbs go off,” Wakefield says.

In a school full of kids, sickness is bound to happen, but Wakefield says she wants to be prepared.

“We’re in my IB class, so it’s a lot of work, it’s high-level work and so missing days can be super detrimental,” she says.

Some of her students have six classes a day, which she says it a lot to miss and a lot of make-up work, which can add to a student’s stress. With multiple classes and many students, she says supplies can run out quick.

“We actually just used the last, one of my last tissue containers, and so it’s either the kids have to go use toilet paper in the bathroom or I have tissues in here and so that’s one of the main things I really need,” she says. “Hand sanitizer we’re running low as well.”

She says sometimes she must purchase supplies for students out of her own pocket, and this is not always sustainable.

“These extra kind of things are really great to have and without, I wouldn’t be able to on my salary, like, be able to buy some of the stuff,” Wakefield says. “So, it’s nice to be able to give kids options and give them extra supplies that the school can’t or doesn’t provide.”

Wakefield says she wants her classroom to provide students with a calm environment to work where they can feel at home.

“School can be stressful, so I try to make it as comfortable as possible in here for them,” Wakefield says. “So, this kind of stuff are things that are extra but they do change in the way people the kids enjoy school.”

Click here to become a Live 5 Classroom Champions by donating to help fund this project.

Donors Choose collects the money, purchases the items the teacher has requested, and sends them directly to the teacher. That way, you know that your donation is used appropriately, and all donations are tax-deductible.

If you are a teacher who wants to be featured on Classroom Champions, email us at classchamp@live5news.com.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - James Island Town Council met Thursday to discuss a hot topic among community members, stirring up some concerns.

The Cost Sharing Agreement between the town of James Island and the James Island Public Service District comes to an end after six years.

Every year, the town sent a certain amount of money to subsidize PSD taxes for community members.

The PSD delivers water, sewer and fire services throughout the island.

Person after person spoke at public comment–the majority of whom were against the council’s decision to get rid of the cost agreement that was originally signed back in 2019.

“I was born and raised on this island. We, the people, are angry at the arrogance of imposing taxes on families after an insane inflation of the last four years,” community member Steve Browder said.

Because those PSD services were subsidized under the agreement, a handful of town residents are concerned that getting rid of them will increase PSD tax bills including water, sewer, and fire services.

However, there were a few other residents who were for this change.

“And I’m thankful for that. Don’t get me wrong. I want it to stay like that. I don’t want it to go all the way up, but at the same time, you have to understand that there is a cost to living. There’s a cost to safety. There’s a cost to growth. There’s a cost to prosperity. And unfortunately, just like we’re all talking about, inflation, things are moving up. And to do anything, whether it’s a drainage project or whether it’s an art project, it takes capital, right?” community member Schuyler Blair said.

This past year, the town sent $1.3 million to subsidize those taxes, but with this change, they’re not going to be losing money. They will reallocate that money toward the park and the art center in the town.

“So some of us will pay more, some of us will pay less depending on the value of your homes. But again, It’s not money that we are levying. It’s rates and mileage that the PSD has levied that we have been subsidizing. I say we, I mean, all this industry [has] been subsidizing,” Councilman Daniel C. Boles said.

When it came to voting to give the mayor authority to make the call, the council voted 4-1, with one councilman opposing.

“You know, I’m not sure if we’d have to do an amendment. I’m not sure how this would be handled since it is all new territory. But again, this is a complicated plan. I do agree with that. But it was a plan that I believe benefited a lot of people,” Councilman Darren “Troy” Mullinax said.

During the discussion, the majority of the council members repeatedly said they want to be frugal with their money and funds, while still providing for their community.

In fact, many of them said going away with this agreement won’t be as destructive as it sounds when comparing James Island to other nearby cities and towns.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.