Boardwalk, dock and trail repair update

As many residents know, several City of Charleston amenities on Daniel Island sustained damage during Hurricane Irma. I wanted to provide the community with an update on the progress the city has made in making needed repairs to these facilities. I am happy to report that the majority of repairs and clean-up have been completed and we anticipate all the repairs to be completed by the end of February.

First, I wanted to provide an update on the dock and gangplank repairs at Children’s Park. After four days of diving in and around the area of the dock at Children’s Park, divers finally found the gangplank that was ripped off the pier and floater during Hurricane Irma. Cape Romain Contractors was hired by the city to repair the dock, and the required repairs have been completed and the dock is now back open.

Second, the erosion control barrier that was built along the trail system behind the Family Circle Tennis Center did sustain some damage. Luckily the damage was limited to the plantings along the berm. The city will replace the damaged plantings later next year when temperatures are warmer and more conducive to helping the new plantings survive.

Lastly, as many residents know two of the boardwalks that run north along the waterfront trail from Children’s Park to Governors Park experienced significant damage from Hurricane Irma. The damage to the boardwalks was not limited to just visual damage, but the structural supports were also severally damaged and are unsafe. Unfortunately, because of this both boardwalks will require substantial work in order to be redesigned and repaired.

I am very pleased to report that at our last City Council meeting on Nov. 28, I was able to garner the support of my colleagues on City Council to approve an emergency repair contract to have the repairs completed in order to get the trail system reopened quickly. Moreover, I was also able to get my colleagues on City Council to appropriate the required funding to get the work started right away. We anticipate this work to be completed by the end of February 2018, weather permitting.

Living in Charleston offers us a terrific quality of life but it also unfortunately means we have to deal with hurricanes and tropical storms. Daniel Island has been lucky and fared well over the last couple of years – first with Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and more recently with Hurricane Irma. I am very thankful that our losses were limited to those things that can be replaced and that all the repairs will be completed and all trails will reopen very soon.

Daniel Island resident Gary White represents District 1 on Charleston City Council. He was elected to the post in November 2007.