Jim Balow
Staff Writer

Magic Island-Haddad link is centerpiece of recommendation

A continuous series of open spaces could eventually stretch from Haddad Riverfront Park to Magic Island, consultants said Wednesday.

The proposal to link Charleston’s two Kanawha River parks was perhaps the crown jewel of the master plan Sasaki Associates unveiled at a public meeting Wednesday evening at the Civic Center.

Alistair McIntosh and two other designers from the Boston-based firm have been working most of this year on a plan to redevelop the city’s north riverfront from the 35th Street bridge to Patrick Street.

They proposed an elaborate redesign of Magic Island with a café, playground and splash fountain on an expanded upper level. They said Kanawha Boulevard should be narrowed to two lanes through downtown and across the Elk River, perhaps for its entire length. And they showed off a series of improvements to Haddad Park, including a canopy to shield visitors from the hot summer sun.

“How can we improve the quality of place for the city of Charleston?” McIntosh said in an afternoon meeting with a Gazette reporter. “How can we improve the city’s geographic identity? How can the riverfront become again a center for life in the city?”

He said the master plan is not a concrete document, set in stone, but a vision with a lot of proposals that will guide the city for the next 20 years. He acknowledged it would not make everyone happy.

Probably the most controversial element — the one that drew the most criticism Wednesday evening — is the proposal to narrow Kanawha Boulevard. As before, the consultants offered two alternatives.

Option A would take out the median and have four lanes, with parking in the outer lanes except during rush hours. Option B would have only two traffic lanes with permanent parking in the two outside lanes. Both provide extra room on the river side for sidewalks, bike paths and green space.

“Our recommendation is for Option A or B on the West Side and East End and Option B downtown,” McIntosh said. But he said if asked his professional opinion, he would prefer Option B along the entire length. Even with two lanes, the option would have room for left-hand turning lanes.

During a question-and-answer session at the public hearing, someone asked what the next step was.

“My sense is this begins as a series of small steps, tests, perhaps the canopy to improve the environment at Haddad Park,” McIntosh said, “and the larger changes can be debated and the funds be found.”

He declined to estimate the cost of the improvements. “The price tag will occur with the final design. We will do pricing options as part of our final report.”

That final written report, to be sent to the city by early next year, will be the final step of the consultants’ work.
 
McIntosh said he plans to remain in Charleston until Friday and will start discussing possible funding sources with city officials today. The first projects tackled may depend on the available resources, he said.

To contact staff writer Jim Balow, use e-mail or call (304)348-5102.