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Path to a sustainable community
Concept development for Noisette
began in the 1997 when the North Charleston City Council
invited a development team led by John Knott and Jim Agustin
to create a shared vision and master plan to, "Redevelop
an existing portion of a City to create a tangible example,
a place that incorporates the Principles of Sustainability
in residences, commercial buildings, and public areas to
improve the economy, quality of community, and the environment."
Over the next three years, the Noisette
team evolved the project, at the City's request, from a five-square-block
area to the present Noisette footprint of almost 3,000 acres.
The City, recognizing the uniqueness of the Noisette team,
announced in March 2001 the formation of an innovative partnership
with the Noisette Company.
Accompanying this announcement was a
City Pledge by the Mayor and City Council describing what
the City was committing to accomplish. The City also outlined
its desire and commitment to become a model for sustainable
city redevelopment. The desired outcomes expressed for the
City were:
• Rebreathe life into the
historic city center
• Synergize all quality of
life efforts within the City
• Catalyze economic growth
• Build the City's financial
vitality
• Position North Charleston
nationally as a sustainable urban center
Noisette Project - A Timeline
December
Dewees Island developer John L.
Knott, Jr. and former Navy Base Closure Officer James H.
Augustin begin confidential discussions with City of North
Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey and City Council on a redevelopment
project for the City’s
traditional neighborhoods and former Navy Base
Knott’s project team foregoes original “green” project
concept on the Charleston Neck, in favor of sustainable redevelopment
concept in North Charleston
Redevelopment project for North
Charleston named “Noisette”,
after the 18th Century botanist Phillipe Noisette
Concept work begins on Noisette Project, including research,
architectural surveys, and site location
Project expands to projected 3,000 acre district that encompasses
traditional neighborhoods of North Charleston and sections
of the former Navy Base
Initial negotiations begin with the Charleston Naval Complex
Redevelopment Authority over transferring land on the former
base for redevelopment project sponsored by the City of North
Charleston
Concepts expand to a holistic, sustainable development at
Noisette, which will tackle social and environmental issues
in a public-private venture
March
The Noisette Project is announced to the public in a news
conference after a unanimous vote of support by North Charleston
City Council
Charleston Naval Complex – Redevelopment
Authority votes unanimously to support the Noisette redevelopment
and enters into a Memorandum of Understanding to transfer
the former Navy Base land to the City of North Charleston
April
Noisette Company begins Community Presentations for civic
groups, school board, citizens groups, and other organizations
The City and the Noisette Company team of architects, urban
planners, and engineers begin formal planning sessions to
chart revitalization
June
RDA signs Memorandum of Understanding for transfer of land
to the City for the Noisette Project
July
Off-Base Tax Increment Financing District approved by North
Charleston City Council, to fund infrastructure improvements
within Noisette
August
Greet and Eat Events begin with residents for neighborhoods
located within Noisette
October
HOPE-VI grant to City approved by US Department of Housing
and Urban Development, allotting $30 million to rebuild housing
in North Park Village and other neighborhoods in Noisette
November
First phase of Community Presentations conclude, involving
more than 2,000 individuals and 24 civic groups
December
RDA approves revised boundary for the transfer of 350 acres
on northern end of the former Navy Base to City
February
GARCO acquisition by Beach Company
represents additional redevelopment of the Noisette District,
to revitalize the City’s blighted industrial areas
March
City-Noisette project team unveils
plans for housing the H.L. Hunley submarine at a $40 million, “state-of-the-art” maritime
museum at the future site of the Riverfront Park on the Cooper
River
April
South Carolina Hunley Commission tours proposed museum site
Noisette Company announces its Board of Investors, which
includes Lowcountry-based executives with Fortune 500-company
experience
May
Senator Glenn F. McConnell, chairman of the South Carolina
Hunley Commission, declares North Charleston a finalist with
the Town of Mount Pleasant in the competition for the future
H.L. Hunley Museum
South Carolina General Assembly passes a compromise bill
for expanding the Port of Charleston, allotting 800 acres
of base property to the City including 350 acres for the
Noisette redevelopment project
June
South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges signs the port compromise
bill into law
October
Team of international design experts holds a design charette
at the Charleston Area Convention Center, outlining preliminary
concepts for the Noisette redevelopment in a public presentation
December
Noisette master planning team hones recommendations from
the October charette for revitalization of the Noisette District
January
Noisette Project receives national
media attention for its redevelopment efforts, including
a piece in Architectural Record magazine and a segment
on Turner South cable television network’s The Natural
South
February
U.S. Economic Development Administration demands $1.8 million
from the City of North Charleston before initial land transfer
can occur, creating a three-month delay in the land transfer
process to Noisette
Plan approved by the City of North Charleston to trim 9
acres from the original Noisette Project redevelopment footprint
on the old Navy Base, in order to streamline the transfer
process
March
Community presentations continue with North Charleston neighborhood
associations
May
Planning for the Noisette Community Master Plan temporarily
suspended pending the outcome of issues concerning payment
to the U.S. Economic Development Administration
June
Impasse ends over payment to the U.S. Economic Development
Administration, as City Council of North Charleston approves
promissory note of $1.8 million to that federal agency
Noisette Project teams of designers and planners resume
work on the master plan
Appraisal of 350-acre tract on
the former Navy Base – designated
for transfer to the Noisette Company for redevelopment --
completed by a third-party, independent firm, which reports
a fair market value for the property at $9.6 million
July
The City of North Charleston expedites the initial transfer
of 178 acres on the former Navy Base to the Noisette Company,
in a ceremony attended by more than 200 people and the news
media
August
Brownfield project announced by
the City of Charleston, for redevelopment of 300 acres
of polluted industrial land in that City’s Neck Area,
based on principles of Smart Growth
September
City of North Charleston awards the Noisette Company a
contract to redevelop a 55-acre tract of the blighted Century
Oaks housing project and Liberty Business Center
November
An estimated crowd of 700 people attends a presentation
of concepts for the Noisette Project master plan at the North
Charleston Performing Arts Center
December
Noisette Community Master Plan submitted to City of North
Charleston and Mayor R. Keith Summey, for review by the North
Charleston City Council
January
Initial reaction to the Master
Plan is positive, and hailed as “visionary” by
City Council members and the media
Debate begins on Master Plan’s recommendations for
long-term changes to Park Circle; City of North Charleston
appoints a special citizen’s committee to study the
proposal in full
February
South Carolina Hunley Commission votes in favor of proposed
site for a maritime museum within the Noisette District,
along the Cooper River in North Charleston
March
Public forums on Master Plan continue with neighborhood
groups throughout the Noisette District
April
The Noisette Urban Alliance is
established, bringing the nation’s top building industry
manufacturers to support the Noisette Project as a prototype
for community redevelopment throughout the United States
June
Noisette Company signs 8 new tenants for the Noisette River
Center, including the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council
of Governments
South Carolina General Assembly
approves the Hunley Commission’s
choice of North Charleston as the site for the future H.L.
Hunley Museum and maritime center, pending the negotiation
of an “acceptable” contract
July
New tenants announced to the public, marking a major step
forward for Noisette
Community input continues on planning for the Riverfront
Park at the Cooper River
August
Announcement of the Noisette Urban Alliance, and Urban Alliance
Studio at Noisette, is made to the news media
New interactive, community-based web site is launched, www.noisettesc.com
Noisette Urban Alliance Studio and new Noisette Company
offices open at 7 Storehouse Row, Noisette River Center,
for occupancy
Plans unveiled for the Riverfront Park along the Cooper
River
September
Noisette Urban Alliance Studio grand opening introduces
free-of-charge, sustainability education programs to public
and building industry trade groups
February
Development agreement between The Noisette Company, LLC and the City of North Charleston modified
July
Phase 1 of North Charleston Riverfront Park completed
September
Clemson University announced plans to locate research campus of its new Restoration Institute on an 82 acre site adjacent to the Navy Yard
October
American Society of Landscape Architects awards the Noisette Community Master Plan with its
Award of Excellence
December
Noisette Creek Preserve Plan released to the public
Phase 4 Land Transfer completed between the Noisette Company and City of North Charleston
January
Major redevelopment of Navy Yard begins, with work on engineering, infrastructure and implementation
August
The Noisette Company completes payments to the City of North Charleston
Final land transfer completed from City of North Charleston to The Noisette Company, LLC
September
Initiation of Navy Yard infrastructure planning and design
January
Bonding for Clemson University Restoration Campus at Noisette approved by SC State Budget and Control Board
March
Phase 2 completion for North Charleston Riverfront Park
April
Cushman & Wakefield, global real estate firm, hired to represent the Navy Yard at Noisette
May
Commencement of Infrastructure installation at Navy Yard
June
Request for Proposals sent to potential developers by Cushman & Wakefield
November
Phase 1 developer selection process by Noisette Company
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