CARTA sells property originally planned for intermodal passenger hub

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) approved an agreement to sell its property at 4894 Dorchester Road in North Charleston for $6.5 million to Rushmark Properties, LLC.

 

“We’re very pleased to have this deal completed and for more than the appraised value,” said CARTA interim director Jeff Burns.

The 36.2-acre Montague site was originally slated to host a regional intermodal hub, but permitting issues forced CARTA to look elsewhere. The authority has identified a roughly eight-acre parcel on Gaynor Avenue in North Charleston as its preferred location. The property includes the current Charleston Amtrak station.

“The intermodal facility will be a new gateway to the region,” Burns said. “For too long, visitors arriving by rail have been greeted with a sub-par welcome. It’s sadly indicative of the attitude toward public transportation here in the past, but we feel that has begun to change.”

The CARTA board also unanimously voted to ask that the city of North Charleston take a lead role in constructing and operating the intermodal facility.

“The intermodal facility began as a city of North Charleston project and the city has the capabilities to build and run this sort of operation,” said CARTA board chairman Elliott Summey. “We’re hopeful of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.”

The planned intermodal center would serve as hub for CARTA and Southeastern Stages buses, Amtrak trains and taxis. Plans also call for the site to be easily and safely accessible for foot traffic from nearby neighborhoods.

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