CHARLESTON, SC — On Monday, the Charleston County School District (CCSD) Board of Trustees voted 5-4 to move forward with a tax increment financing (TIF) district to help fund a revamp to the Union Pier.

Board members Carol Tempel, Courtney Waters, Darlene Roberson and Daron Calhoun voted against the measure. Board chair Keith Grybowski, trustees Pamela McKinney, Carlotte Bailey, Ed Kelley and Leah Whatley voted in favor.

In August, Charleston City Council voted unanimously to establish a TIF district for the Union Pier property. The approval initiated a 45-day process for the Charleston City Council and CCSD to hold votes on the district's establishment. 

The projects in the mixed-use redevelopment plan could include additional public parks and spaces, affordable housing, and improving stormwater drainage.

The TIF will allow the City of Charleston to collect property taxes that typically go to CCSD and the county, and use those funds toward the purchase and renovation of the pier.

The deal also allows the district to have all office space at 75 Calhoun St. in return for giving up tax revenue.

Several community members spoke against the proposal during the public comment section of the meeting, “Why is the school district being asked to bear the largest share of the cost of this deal when it is the city of Charleston and the developer getting the largest share of the benefit?”

Currently, Union Pier generates no tax revenue, according to a news release from the City of Charleston. However, redevelopment could bring in roughly $20 million to the school district each year after the pier’s redevelopment.

“TIFs have proven successful, as seen with King Street’s revitalization. By establishing a TIF, the city can replicate that success at Union Pier,” according to the release.

The South Carolina Ports Authority owned the Union Pier before selling it to Ben Navarro, the owner of Beemok Hospitality Collection.The city will now have a say in the pier’s development, ending its time as an acting cruise terminal.

On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Charleston County Council voted to move forward with the measure.  The City of Charleston is set to host a public hearing on Nov. 4 before the city council's vote on a final decision.