The City of North Charleston has a new home at 2500 City Hall Lane. At the new location, services are streamlined and conveniently located under one roof with the goal of providing enhanced support to our citizens, businesses, and visitors.
The building itself has been constructed in anticipation of becoming LEED Certified. Energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts were all kept in mind during the construction process. A few of the green features include a wealth of natural lighting, waterless urinals, and carpets made from recycled materials.
City Hall will remain the Emergency Operations Center during times of disasters. The building’s steel was strengthened to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes with all exterior glass being impact resistant.
Fire Administration, Cultural Arts, Recreation, Code Enforcement, Purchasing, and Legal personnel were all scattered throughout the City. All departments, excluding Public Works, are now housed at a single location. This not only cuts fuel and time consumption, but enhances City management.
The permitting process has been simplified. The new City Hall features a ‘One-Stop Shop’ for permitting. Planning, Building, Zoning, and Finance all share one lobby with accessible walkup customer windows. Instead of traveling from one floor to the next, as in the previous City Hall, one only has to walk a few feet to the next window. To further convenience the public, kiosks will be available in the near future to apply for permits in the lobby.
When the previous City Hall was opened in 1978, the City was a fraction of its current size. Fast forward 31 years, and the facility became cramped and outdated. Looking to the future, the City has planned for inevitable growth with accommodations for a 25% employee expansion.
Apart from City employees, the Charleston County Legislative Delegation, Crimestoppers, and Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy are calling the new City Hall home.
IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION:
Public services are available at the New City Hall.
A Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting event is scheduled for Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm. The public is invited to attend. Tours and presentations will be conducted.
Most direct employee phone numbers remain the same, however call (843) 554-5700 if you are unable to reach a specific individual.
All mail should continue to go to P.O. Box 190016, North Charleston, SC 29419. The physical address of the new City Hall is 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, SC 29406.
The North Charleston Fire Department conducted a live training exercise and test of FireIce gel. Fire was set to the interior of a car, and was extinguished using a 2 ½ gallon water extinguisher mixed with the gel.
North Charleston Fire Department Battalion Chief Leon Coker attested to FireIce’s capability saying, “I saw a fireman scoop it into his hand then heat the hand with a 1500 BTU torch. He did not feel a thing.” Coker continued, “What impressed me the most was when the demonstrator actually ate the FireIce gel.”
When added to water, FireIce stops fire in its tracks by directly adhering to burning material while cooling and rapidly suffocating the fire. This helps to prevent relights and reduces firefighter risk.
FireIce can be used directly on wildfires, brush fires, structure fires and even to extinguish tire fires. No special equipment is necessary. FireIce mixes directly in pumper trucks, water canisters, water tankers and aircraft tankers. Simply flush with water for easy clean up. Environmentally friendly and conserves precious water.
Citizens across North Charleston will hit the streets to take back their communities. On Tuesday, August 4th from 6:00-9:00 pm, citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses, and local officials in over 10,000 communities and military bases worldwide will join forces to mark the 26th Annual National Night Out.
At 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 4th, Mayor Keith Summey, along with Police Chief Jon Zumalt and Housing Authority Executive Director George Saldana, will join residents of the Horizon Village community to kick off a neighborhood cookout and crime prevention walk.
Similar events will occur simultaneously in neighborhoods throughout the city to include: Forest Hills I, Wando Woods, Midland Park/Stall Road Corridor, Charleston Farms, Olde North Charleston, Cameron Terrace, Oak Preserve, Union Heights and Accabee. Citizens are asked to turn on their porch lights as a sign of unity and to let the criminals know that the City of North Charleston is organized and fighting back.
National Night Out is designed to (1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs; (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit, police and community relations; and (4) send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods around the world are organized and fighting back.
Nationally, over 33 million people will participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’ this year.
--Schedule of Events-- Horizon Village Mayor Summey, along with Chief Jon Zumalt and Housing Authority Executive Director George Saldana, will kick off the event at 6:00 pm. Residents will take part in a neighborhood walk and cookout . Back to School activities will also take place. The event will take place at the Activity Center, 3800 Spruill Avenue.
Forest Hills Residents of Forest Hills I will meet at 6:30 pm at Foxwood Drive and Dorchester Road (beside the Lil Cricket) then walk through the neighborhood with banners and hand held signs accompanied by police and fire vehicles and others.
Cameron Terrace, Oak Preserve, Charleston Farms, and Oakdale Residents will host a cookout in front of the School of the Arts beginning at 6:00 pm. Seacoast Church will be providing assistance.
Wando Woods Residents will participate in a community flashlight walk beginning at 6:30 pm.
Midland Park/Stall Road Corridor These two communities will come together beginning at 7:00 pm at New Covenant Church on Stall Road. A cookout is scheduled to be followed by a community meeting.
Accabee Residents will host a picnic at the community center starting at 6:00 pm.
Union Heights At 6:00 pm residents will host a walk through the community followed by meeting at the Gethsemane community center.
The Lakes at Northwoods Residents will meet at the pool area on Brookforest at Lake Marion Drive at 8:00 pm for a flashlight walk through the community.
Olde North Charleston Residents of Olde North Charleston Neighborhood Council will meet at 4722 O’Hear Avenue to celebrate National Night Out! Refreshments will be served at 6:30 pm followed by a walk down O’Hear to Oakwood, Glenshaw, Bexley and Buist Avenues.
