NORTH CHARLESTON — When the 545 apartments at South Carolina’s largest public housing project were turned to rubble 20 years ago, the stage was set for a new community blending subsidized apartments with homes to own.

The grim, barracks-style North Park Village housing project was one of several that North Charleston and its housing authority set out to demolish and redevelop in the mid-2000s.

Mayor Keith Summey called them “cancers to the community.”

Part of the cure was to be Horizon Village, a 68-acre development that would have a mix of incomes and ages, renters and homeowners.

Hundreds of apartments and 31 homes for sale were soon built, but most of the planned new homes were still just empty lots six years ago.

Those 99 lots are no longer empty, now occupied by homeowners, many of whom were first-time buyers seeking homes at affordable prices.

“We feel really fortunate,” said Joanie Borders, who lives with her boyfriend in a home he bought in 2020. “It’s really close to Park Circle, with all of its amenities, and has access to the water.”

Horizon Village sits just over a mile south of Park Circle at the end of South Rhett Avenue and between Spruill and Rivers avenues. At its northeast end is Four Poles Park, which has a disc golf course and a fishing pier on Noisette Creek, across from the Firefly Distillery that hosts live music on weekends.

“We have really liked it, as first-time home buyers,” said Natalie Giecek, who lives near the park.

Husband Nick Giecek said the couple relocated from Atlanta in 2020 so that he could help his dad manage a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise in Mount Pleasant, but they quickly realized East Cooper housing was too expensive. They became first-time home buyers that year, in Horizon Village.

“These homes were very affordable,” said Natalie.

The houses are a mix of single-family and attached homes. In 2019 they were selling in the low $200,000s.

Home prices have soared since then across the greater Charleston area, and Horizon Village was no exception. This year, in June, a house there sold for more than $400,000.

Getting those homes built did not go as originally planned.

A Maryland developer that had partnered with the North Charleston Housing Authority failed, and the land was returned to the authority. Streets and utilities were already in place, but 99 lots sat empty and the authority put the land up for auction in 2017.

Hunter Quinn Homes of Mount Pleasant put in the highest of two bids for the home sites, about $1.65 million according to the housing authority.

“That area of the Lowcountry is in need of affordable homes,” Hunter Quinn President Will Herring said at the time.

Buying home sites with roads and utilities in place for less than $17,000 each helped make that possible. By early 2019, Hunter Quinn had a model home open and was advertising prices starting in the $190,000s.

The land sold by the housing authority had no restrictions on home prices or the income level of potential buyers. The authority set aside the money from the sale, to potentially buy more land in the future.

“It’s worked out really well,” said Jeremy Erling, executive director of the housing authority. “Hunter Quinn quickly built those good houses and sold them.”

Erling said that driving through Horizon Village, it’s hard to tell which buildings are individually-owned homes that were sold on the open market, and which are subsidized rental properties. The owned homes do tend to have more landscaping, and they don’t have unit numbers on the doors like the subsidized rentals.

Horizon Village is really five developments in one, serving different groups of renters and home owners.

The Creekside homes were all sold in the last four years, and many of the homeowners are in the same, younger age range.

“This neighborhood is very tight,” said Natalie Giecek. “We have our own kickball team.”

While the Creekside homes are relatively new, most of the small apartment houses in Horizon Village are nearing 15 years. That means the federal tax credits tied to their construction will be phasing out, and the housing authority will become the full owner.

Erling said the authority could then potentially “be seeking a new development partner and a new round of financing to go back through these units and bring them back to new condition.”

In the two decades since North Park Village was torn down, the surrounding area has changed considerably, making it a more desirable location.

The collection of neighborhoods generally called Park Circle has continued to grow, including new developments such as Mixon and Oak Terrace Preserve.

The Firefly Distillery and music venue across Noisette Creek from Horizon Village is among several new businesses that have set up shop on Spruill Avenue, between Park Circle and Horizon Village.

Nearby, the former Navy base is in the early stages of a 70-acre redevelopment where housing, shopping and destination entertainment are planned. And the Lowcountry Rapid Transit high-speed bus line is planned for Rivers Avenue, with a transit hub at Rivers and McMillan avenues where Charleston County recently opened a new public services building.

NORTH CHARLESTON — A piece of property that has remained owned by a Liberty Hill founding family for 150 years is now bringing new beginnings to residents.

The eight-unit Golden Dream Townhomes that includes one- to three-bedroom apartments is a partnership between the Lecque family and Metanoia, a nonprofit that seeks to provide affordable housing options for North Charleston residents.

Metanoia’s 50-year ground lease on the Lester Street property provides affordable housing opportunities for decades while the Lecque family maintains ownership.

Real Estate

“We’ve always been in the housing business,” said Carolyn Lecque, the great-great-granddaughter of William Lecque, one of the four freedmen who purchased the land in 1871 along with his brother Plenty Lecque, Aaron Middleton and Ishmael Grant.

Carolyn Lecque said her father completed several housing projects on the Lester Street property. He moved housing units from the former Navy base hospital to the property to open the Golden Dream Motel, named after a dream he had one night of a golden lining, Lecque said.

Now, Golden Dream Townhomes continues that legacy.

“I’m really happy for them,” said Lecque. “They’ll have safe, decent and affordable housing because that’s rare in these days and times.”

One of the residents, Ervin Clark, who uses a wheelchair, struggled to find affordable housing that was accessible after leaving Riverside Health and Rehab. During one of his weekly visits to the laundromat, he met Duncan Cheney, director of physical asset development with Metanoia, who mentioned the Golden Dream Townhome project.

“Being in a wheelchair I have stipulations on things, like I have to make sure there’s no steps, I have to make sure I can get inside the house,” said Clark, who is a graphic design artist. “I have to put all that in front of how much the rent might cost.”

Finding Golden Dream Townhomes relieved the stress and uncertainty of finding a home that meets his needs, he said. Now, the 46-year-old is looking forward to getting to know his neighbors and building a community.

“When people live stably, they’re able to do better for themselves, which is ultimately our mission,” said Bill Stanfield, CEO of Metanoia.

Those who qualify for the townhomes make between 30 percent and 80 percent of the area median income — according to the latest census, the median income for North Charleston is about $52,000 — and the cost of rent varies depending on the income level. For example, a two-bedroom unit with 50 percent AMI is $900 per month compared to a two-bedroom with 80 percent AMI is $1,300. The lowest cost is a 754-square-foot one-bedroom apartment at $395 with 30 percent AMI.

The townhome project that broke ground in 2019 was a dream of Carolyn Lecque and her brother James Lecque about four years prior, but they kept running into barriers that prevented the project from happening, Carolyn Lecque said. She said a voice from God told her to reach out to Metanoia, which ultimately led to this community-driven initiative to address the area’s growing housing crisis.

While the project continued to come across roadblocks, especially due to the pandemic, seeing it come to fruition left Lecque speechless.

One goal of the project was to use minority-owned contractors to complete the work, said Stanfield.

“All the development team, from the architect and engineer to the construction, general contractor are all Black-owned firms. It’s nice to build a project that is reflective of the neighborhood,” said Stanfield.

Lecque added it was “a special blessing to have this done by people who look like us.”

Golden Dream Townhomes is funded by the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority and the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s Community Economic Development fund.

The need for affordable housing, like Golden Dream Townhomes, was evident in the number of applications for the apartments. Metanoia received over 200 applications for the eight units available. While Stanfield said there is always a desire to do more, seeing the families who are moving into the units is impactful.

“It’s an inspiration to see that people were able to move in here. They’re the real heroes. They’re working hard and trying to make much better for themselves and their families,” said Stanfield.

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. – Hurricane Idalia produced bands of storms across South Carolina’s Lowcountry on Wednesday, with at least one tornado north of Charleston causing damage.

First responders in Berkeley County reported only minor injuries when a car was apparently sideswiped by a quick twister.

A video showed tropical-storm-force winds in the region associated with the heavy rainfall when the tornado formed, lifting the vehicle and smashing it into another.

The tornado was one of several reports of waterspouts and funnel clouds in South Carolina but was the only incident where a touchdown happened as of Wednesday afternoon.

CHARLESTON SLAMMED WITH STORM SURGE AS IDALIA CONTINUES POUNDING SOUTHEAST

The National Weather Service office in Charleston will be tasked with surveying the damage and determining the rating of the twister on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

Hurricane Idalia produced at least one other tornado in Florida, but there was not any widespread damage reported associated with the vortex.

Tornadoes often happen during hurricanes

Tropical cyclones are known to produce tornadoes, especially in the northeast quadrant of the storm.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, shear is typically the greatest in this sector as the storm interacts with other weather features and the land. The tornadoes are usually weak and short-lived, which appears to be what happened in the Lowcountry.

IDALIA DIGS INLAND AS TROPICAL STORM, IMMERSING SOUTHEAST IN FLOODWATERS FOLLOWING HISTORIC FLORIDA LANDFALL

The threat of tornadoes, flooding and gusty winds is expected to continue through Thursday morning for the Carolinas as the center of Idalia pushes eastward off the coast.

Florida and Georgia were the hardest hit states by the former Category 4 hurricane. During the peak of the event, more than half a million customers in the two states were without electricity.

The Community Resource Center in North Charleston will soon offer free classes for any adult who wants to learn skills for manufacturing jobs.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Through a private partnership with Neal Brothers Distribution, the Community Resource Center in North Charleston will soon offer free classes for any adult who wants to learn skills for manufacturing jobs.

Neal Brothers is investing in the program so the courses are free for adults. Neal Brothers CEO Daryll Ray Griffin says it’s important to acknowledge that college is not the only path. He believes the program will help expand their recruitment and support their workforce.

“The Community Resource Center is the epitome of giving a helping hand so Neal Brothers will always be a part for the Community Resource Center,” Griffin said.

The program has support from State Representative Wendell Gilliard who emphasized how important trade skills are and acknowledges how big the industry is in the Lowcountry. He says he plans to pre-file a bill for the second time next legislative session about manufacturing education.

“The bill will call for us to infuse in the curriculum in the State of South Carolina for the first time that we will teach our students advanced manufacturing,” Gilliard said.

Charleston County School Board member Courtney Waters says the trade industry is now included in the general discussion of education paths early on, but for many parents who didn’t have this option – they now have the opportunity to take classes.

“We have to wrap our arms around the parents who were not served by our education system decades before them. So, I appreciate so much this partnership with the private industry to bring necessary education to parents because we have to make sure we are providing support to entire families,” Water said.

She also mentioned her time working in the industry during the announcement and expressed her excitement for seeing other people discover what the job has to offer.

“As someone who was once upon a time forklift certified and worked in an advanced manufacturing facility, I really appreciate that this is the type of skill that gets someone above the entry-level salary and allows them to attain a skill,” Waters said.

Louis Smith, the Executive Director Community Resource Center, says the program is prepared to handle about 200 students. The center’s North Charleston campus features multiple classrooms and forklift training will happen on-site.

“We have partnered with many people throughout our community to make this happen. We want to make sure that all of our adults are able to get a decent job and a decent education. And as you know, the majority of the jobs now are going toward mass production,” Smith said.

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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Residents in one North Charleston neighborhood are voicing concerns after gaggles of geese have formed around community ponds.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources reports that most geese shed their feathers and become flightless in the months of May to July, which may be part of the reason why there are so many of the birds in the Northwood Estates community.

From blocking the road to leaving droppings in neighbors’ yards, geese in the neighborhood have been an ongoing issue that one resident said is just getting out of hand.

“They’re so aggressive- they’ll come to my front door now … and you’ll have droppings, and I’m constantly taking my hose and washing down my walkway, my driveway… they’ll try to attack you or run up to you, so it’s just out of hand,” said Northwood Estates resident, Marilyn Tatum.

North Charleston Council Member Virginia Jamison said the community is used to ducks and geese in the area, but now with gaggles of up to 40 geese taking up yards and roads in the neighborhood, it’s something that is impacting the quality of life for residents.

“The livability and quality of life for me and my constituents is very, very important. That’s what I said I would be focusing on and that’s what I’ve focused on,” said Jamison.

The community says they are hoping to get support to decrease the geese population in the area.

SCDNR has posted a list of ways to help limit gaggles like using decoys such as owls or coyotes to prevent congregations of the birds. And the department wants that it’s challenging to get these geese to leave the area once nesting begins.

Another resident said that while he enjoys wildlife, his community needs outside help because of overpopulation.

“I’m not against wildlife. I’m an outdoorsman myself, but when it gets out of control someone needs to do something,” said resident Ed Gross.

Northwood Estates residents say this is not a new problem in their area — it’s only recently that it has become unavoidable.

“They’ve been here since I’ve been here you know, and that’s 17 years. But it’s just multiplying, it’s just too much,” said Tatum.