Master plan urges leaving Morris Island as isThe Post and Courier
Friday, June 27, 2008
Alan Hawes Dale Jaeger (right) is the principal landscape architect and preservation planner for The Jaeger Company, which produced the Morris Island master plan for the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. Jaeger is explaining the plan to Steve Rawe. 
The Post and Courier Click here to read the master plan - (304 page PDF; 25 MB) Morris Island should be left essentially as it is, with no public dock or boardwalk, according to a master plan commissioned by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. The same master plan recommends building an interpretive center with parking and boardwalks on a different sensitive property, the northern tip of Folly Beach near Morris Island Lighthouse. On Morris Island, the PRC plan calls for a ban on dogs and motorized vehicles, which boaters sometimes take to the island. Public access would be limited to the beach area and marked trails. Other than some interpretive signs and perhaps an information kiosk, the plan recommends nothing be built there. It remains to be seen if Charleston will accept the recommendations in the plan. The PRC started creating the plan when it appeared that the commission would be contributing significantly toward the purchase of Morris Island. Instead, the city bought the land this month in a $3 million deal facilitated by The Trust for Public Land, which served as fundraiser and intermediary between the city and developer Bobby Ginn, who paid $6.5 million for the property. Ginn had sought $4.5 million for the land, and the PRC planned to contribute $1.5 million. When Ginn agreed to sell the island to the city for $3 million, the PRC was no longer part of that deal. Ginn has advocated constructing at least one dock on the tip of Morris Island, known as Cummings Point. The deed signed by the city requires safe and convenient access to the island by public or private boat but does not specify the building of a dock. Matt Compton, director of operations for the city Parks Department, said the city plans to work with other agencies on managing Morris Island and said the PRC master plan calling for no development "is a very important part of that." "If there were a desire to go beyond this plan, that would be a very public process," Compton said. Some historic and Civil War groups oppose docks or any construction on Morris Island, which was involved in the initial bombardment of Fort Sumter and was the site of a major 1863 battle between Confederate troops and the Union's all-black 54th Massachusetts Regiment. The battle was depicted in the movie "Glory." Blake Hallman of the Morris Island Coalition said his reading of the city's deed suggests that Ginn might decide what's in the island's best interest. The deed gives Ginn the exclusive right to enforce the covenants, including one that says improvements may include "one or more docks or the construction/institution of other measures, such as, without limitation, allowing group access by shallow draft boats." Compton said the deed lists potential exceptions to a ban on development but doesn't say those things will be built. Ginn has said he likes the idea of docks but also said: "I'm not going to try to dictate what happens out there." Hallman said a dock would likely require substantial dredging or mar the view. Folly Beach Mayor Carl Beckmann said he is happy that Morris Island is now in public hands but shares some concern about what will happen next. He said he's hopeful that the island "will not be overly touristized to the point where you've got docks and pathways and bathroom facilities and all that." Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postand courier.com. Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or rbehre@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 22 comment(s)
Posted by Thomas1776 on June 27, 2008 at 3:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Leave Morris Island like it is. But we know Riley, he doesn't even have any respect for the dead. And quite a few men lost their lives and were buried on Morris Island.
Recommend the civil war movie "Glory"
Posted by whalernut on June 27, 2008 at 5:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayor Joe,
Please for God's sake leave that part of Charleston alone.
I am sure that you see another Danel Island popping in front of your old eyes.
The Island really needs to be under the control of the State of South Carolina and not either ginn or riley.
I think it is awesome that it is being left for boaters too!
Posted by shoelaces on June 27, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I also hope they leave the island alone. I know it's all about making money to some but I'll bet it's all about preservation for most.
It would be a real shame to see the island commercialized and changed in any way. Conservationists and historians need to jump on this one to stop any development.
Posted by theronce on June 27, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't the island washing away anyway. Maybe we ought to dredge up some sand and build up the beaches.
Posted by Horratio on June 27, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Leave the island EXACTLY as it is.
For a poor state and an over taxed city, this is one thing they don't have to spend any money on in order to recieve the maximal benefit.
All involved in securing the island for the public are to be congradulated. Its likely the biggest contribution to the state/ lowcountry in our lifetime.
It will be a fight to keep it " unimproved"
Posted by CharlesN on June 27, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We love visiting that area when we're in town and I completely agree with the other current posters: Leave Morris Island alone and leave the tip of Folly Beach alone too! Something doesn't have to be developed in order to appreciate it.
Posted by charlestonian on June 27, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's Joes Island now, so whatever everyone else wants really doesn't matter. Expect it to be renamed Riley Island soon.
Posted by Southern_Cousin on June 27, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is dumb that dogs aren't going to be allowed there - dog lovers do bring their dogs to the area by boat.
I wish Riley would quit trying to control every little tiny thing!
Posted by JAMJOH on June 27, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is ridiculous to even consider developing anything on Morris Island. They already built one of those trashy beach stores out there that you see on every other corner in Myrtle Beach. If Joe keeps up with this stuff we're going to be living in a mini Florida.
Posted by pck5 on June 27, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ugh, i wish people could just leave things alone. we don't need parking and boardwalks, and one of the best parts of morris island is being able to take your dog there.
are there any groups or petitions to join/sign to help stop development of any kind? the morris island coalition's website doesn't have any updates since 2006?
Posted by summerville_guy on June 27, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Leave Britney ALONE!!!! Oh, sorry, I meant Morris Island.
Posted by Confuzzled on June 27, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Morris Island should be left 'as-is'. It is a shrine for those who fought and died there.
I do, however, agree that the lighthouse needs to be restored for future generations.
Posted by beth1070 on June 27, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the ghosts on Morris Island haunt Joe Riley for the rest of his life if he tries to tamper with even one grain of sand on that island. Preserve the lighthouse, but leave the island alone! It's not necessary to commercialize and exploit every square inch of our historical city.
Posted by theronce on June 27, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe we can put a gate on the island and trade it for the gated community on IOP. They like to build on shifting sands.
Posted by drp7773 on June 27, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When Joe figures out how to make the most money it will happen...
Posted by ColdBeer on June 27, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm just glad the "master plan for Morris Island" didn't involve building a bait shop. Master baiting plans can get out of hand. Pun intended. :)
Posted by Charles_Town on June 27, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Leave it alone, no problems with dogs there as long as they are on a leash, and are cleaned up afterward.
Posted by drp7773 on June 27, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dont worry the ACLU will take them to court for the dogs rights in SC to go to this island and poop all they want.
Posted by common_sense on June 27, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you said poop.
I'm just sayin...
Posted by carolinapanther on June 27, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You all are out of hand, Riley made sure that is stayed out of the developers hands, He will preserve the island. Give him a chance and quit blaming him for everything!
Posted by charlestonbill on June 27, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No dock. Leave it natural. Good idea about the Folly Beach side interpretive center. Thanks Mr. Ginn for selling this to the folks of Charleston! You understand how important this area is. Would you consider helping us with Hwy. 61? I'm afraid we will be bulldozing Middleton Place soon at the rate the developers are moving.
Posted by combahee on June 28, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First to clear things up.
My understanding is that Morris Island is to be preserved from commercial development. However I was also told that the deed allows the City of Charleston to install docks, boardwalks, restrooms, interpretative kiosks and the like. I am also under the impression that Mr. Ginn has the right to install docks.
Now why would he do that?
Is it so the island becomes a selling point for his developments and has his own docks for HIS guests?
The PRC and others were ready to buy the island. They did a study and petition and overwhelmingly said NO DOCKS.
So Ginn and the City did a deal undermining the PRC and their plans. In doing the deal with the City, Ginn got the right for his docks, all the while everyone thinks it was simply a preservation deal. Maybe that's why he sold it for 1 million less?
If the City and Ginn truly want to serve the people's wishes and truly want to preserve the island then they need to have a hands off approach with no docks and no facilities.
Only time will tell, but I will bet once the dust settles the City in the name of equal access will allow Ginn or even themselves to build docks and facilities. Mark my words on this one.
Maybe the City should publicized the deed?
Our cultural and historical heritage is being bulldozed every day.
For those who commented about a National Register property. If you are the owner, you can bulldoze it. There is no protection for any historical property not under easement! Any piece of property can be bulldozed!