CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A $1 million grant from the state will go towards building an inclusive playground in Moncks Corner.

The playground will be constructed at the Regional Recreation Complex.

The new playground will be located near the Home Telecom Miracle Field.

“Making sure Moncks Corner serves the recreation needs of all our citizens, regardless of ability, has been so important for me and this will be such an amazing addition to our facilities and tie in well with the Miracle League Field.,” Mayor Michael Lockliear said. “I can’t thank our delegation enough for their work to make this worthwhile project happen.”

The playground will add the existing fields for baseball, football and soccer, the basketball courts and the miracle field.

Officials say the playground is the next step in offering recreation opportunities for residents.

“In Moncks Corner, we are investing in our children and there is no better investment than that”, Rep. Sylleste Davis said.

Davis along with Sen. Larry Grooms and other members of the Berkeley County delegation requested the funding for the project.

Other parts of the project include bathrooms and shade structures.

The town says, with funding secured, they can begin the design process and hope to have construction complete in 2024.

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MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCIV) — Kay Beilstein, who has been living along Merrimack Boulevard since 2017, sees the construction of new townhomes right next door to her for about a year now - and is afraid of what they could possibly bring to her front yard.

"Because we live in the Lowcountry, we get a lot of rain," she said. "There's a lot of flooding in some areas and (when) these neighborhoods get built, they don't really take into consideration where that water is going to go."

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Beilstein says when it has rained in the past, water comes on to the streets washing dirt on to the roads. She believes the new development won't help the problem.

"Right now, (the water is) going to go right on to my property and flood my garage and driveway," Beilstein said. "Hopefully, not the rest of my yard, but it depends on how much rain we're going to get."

In response to these concerns, Moncks Corner officials said, "In reviewing the plans, it appears that on-site and off-site stormwater concerns were adequately addressed."

Kay Beilstein, who has been living along Merrimack Boulevard since 2017, sees the construction of new townhomes right next door to her for about a year now - and is afraid of what they could possibly bring to her front yard. (WCIV)

The approved plans show the entire subject property will catch, detain, and release the drainage to the two ponds the property will have installed. This is accomplished with catch basins in the proposed roads, fine grading around the building pads, and underground pipes running from various points around the property, leading to the central and southern stormwater devices.

The vast majority of water from the site is designed to flow south (away from 119 Merrimack Blvd) to the central pond, then to the southern pond, before discharging at the southern edge of the property into an existing 45-foot drainage easement, according to the approved plans.

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Despite this new development coming, Beilstein hopes it won't change the area she loves.

"I'm not looking forward to it," she said. "I do really enjoy my neighbors and my home, but I feel like the town hasn't really taken into consideration that they're ruining our neighborhood for a little bit of money."

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Tuesday, May 23, 2023) – On Monday, May 22, 2023, Berkeley County cut the ribbon on its new Welcome Center site in Moncks Corner. The Welcome Center is located inside the historic 18^th century Nesbitt House at 1004 Highway 52. The facility houses the County’s Parks and Recreation Department, Tourism Department, and Farm and Land Services, as well as an Explore Charleston office. The facility previously housed Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce but has been unoccupied for at least the last two years.

Herrington LLC conducted architectural and engineering services for the project. KD-COM performed renovations, which included removing the existing framing on the back and sides of the house, due to severe water damage and rot. Other work included bringing the building’s structural integrity and electrical system back up to code; placing new framing supports on the second story; making the first floor ADA-compliant, including adding an ADA-compliant restroom for staff and guests; reconstructing the rear addition to ensure it’s more structurally sound and energy-efficient; applying new stucco to the exterior and sides of the house; repainting the entire structure. Locally-owned small business, Dream Home Investors, LLC, constructed the front sign, which includes plaques created by Berkeley Monument, another locally-owned small business.

Other in-house work, completed by Berkeley County Facilities and Grounds, included removing and rebuilding the structure’s columns. The County’s Roads and Bridges team paved the parking lot, established a concrete walkway, and placed sod on the property’s front lawn. Renovations to the structure first began in July 2022. Soon after, work was briefly halted due to structural issues discovered during construction. The County then worked with a structural engineer; and work began again in January 2023.

Total cost of the project is $368,550. Funding stemmed from the Berkeley County Accommodations Fee, the Charleston Visitors Center, and the S.C. Department of Revenue.

The Nesbitt House was built in 1725 by Alexander Nesbitt as part of Dean Hall Planation, the current site of Berkeley County’s Cypress Gardens park in Moncks Corner. In 1967, the house was discovered in the woods and relocated to its current spot at the former Old House Tract Plantation on Highway 52. The home’s restoration was completed in 1968.

“This renovation project has been a labor of love for our County. We were proud to revamp this beautiful, historic home and now showcase it to all, as it welcomes people to our great County. It will also serve locals and tourists alike as an informational hub for all things pertaining to Berkeley County’s history; recreational hotspots and happenings; and other tourism-related items. On behalf of County Council, we hope everyone will stop by this Welcome Center to learn more about Berkeley County.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb

“Berkeley County has a rich history that we hope will be celebrated and remembered for generations to come. The establishment of this Welcome Center, which will also house our Parks and Recreation Department, Tourism Department, and Farm and Land Services, is just another positive step in preserving our past while looking forward to our future.” -Heather McDowell, Berkeley County Parks and Recreation Director

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-Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office-

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCIV) — For Thomas Hamilton, Moncks Corner is home.

For nearly 30 years, Hamilton has resided within the community he's seen change with time. But when he heard that a plan was in place to build 88 homes, that was more change than he signed up for. So, when the local government voted no to the developer's plan to rezone Perry Hill, it was the outcome of Hamilton's hopes.

"It doesn't fit the fabric of Moncks Corner," Hamilton said with a subtle smile. "I'm so happy our council turned it down."

Moncks Corner: Local government curbs construction to keep local charm intact, and Thomas Hamilton, a long-time resident, shared his thoughts on the no-vote (WCIV).

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Underpinning Hamilton's reaction to the vote is a desire for Moncks Corner to stay small -- stay local. A place where big-box stores meet mom-and-pop shops, local eateries, and the culture cultivated through knowing the neighbors and saying hello to those seen in passing.

"I feel we can update and bring certain businesses to the area, but we really need to focus and support our smaller businesses in town," Hamilton said. "We don't want to become another Summerville with the congestion that they have. When I get to Moncks Corner, I want to enjoy moncks corner. I want to bring amenities to us to where we don't have to travel out."

And for those in local government, behind the vote to slow down building developments is a desire to understand the effects of construction on an intimate community.

"Council wants to pump the breaks a little on new construction to see how that impacts the town," said Michael Lockliear, Mayor of Moncks Corner. "We always try to put out the best product we can for the town. That is why we went through -- a couple years ago -- our ordinances to revamp and get the best product."

Read more: A finish worth the wait.

Hamilton plans to run for Mayor of Moncks Corner, and what is driving him is the insatiable desire to have his home feel like a place everyone who resides in it can recognize.

"I just want to have an all-inclusive Moncks Corner for everybody," he said.

And sometimes, that means saying no for now in the hopes of saying yes to something that better fits the community later.

Idalia is likely to be a wind and rain event for Berkeley County, starting late Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday morning. Expected rainfall is 4 to 8 inches. Other potential impacts from Idalia, including risk for tornadoes and storm surge, remains low at this time for Berkeley County.

County officials have been meeting and discussing preparations for any potential impacts to our area. Crews with Berkeley County Roads and Bridges have been out ahead of the storm, checking on flood prone areas, storm drains and culverts throughout the County. SC Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.

Citizens are encouraged to prepare for Idalia by making a plan and building an emergency kit. View our 2023 County Hurricane Guide in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

CLOSURES: All Berkeley County Government offices, the Courthouse, Cypress Gardens, Berkeley Animal Center, and all County Library branches will close at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30. All facilities will remain CLOSED on Thursday, August 31, and reopen on Friday, September 1.

OPERATING CONDITIONS: The County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) currently remains at OPCON 3 (normal operating conditions), with no activation at this time. On Wednesday at 8 a.m., Berkeley County will transition to OPCON 2 with a partial EOC activation. OPCON 2 means a disaster or emergency is likely to affect the County, and emergency operations plans are implemented.

SANDBAGS: Sandbags are available at the following sites on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites are self-serve. More locations will be added, as needed.

CITIZEN CALL LINE: The Citizen Call Line (843-719-4800) is currently operational 24/7 for non-emergency calls ONLY. Callers will hear an automated response with Berkeley County storm prep information. **For all emergency calls, please call 911.**

POWER OUTAGES: Please do not call 911 for power outages. Please report outages to the appropriate provider below:

REPORTING STORM DAMAGE: If your residence or business sustains storm damage, please report it HERE. Those without Internet access can report storm damage by calling the Citizen Call Line at 843-719-4800 and leaving a detailed voicemail.

Reporting storm damage will help Berkeley County staff gauge the extent of damage in the County and report the findings to state and federal officials. These reports will determine appropriate federal and state funding for damage caused by the storm.

For the latest news and updates on Idalia, follow Berkeley County Government on Facebook and at www.berkeleycountysc.gov. Also, sign up for all County news and alerts through the County’s Notification System HERE.

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– Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office –