The Union Pier Stakeholder Advisory Committee announced during their October 11th meeting a recommendation to move forward with award-winning planning firm, Sasaki, to create the new, community-led plan for Union Pier. 

Sasaki, which is headquartered in Boston, has previous experience working in Charleston on the Joe Riley Waterfront Park. In addition to planning, Sasaki’s core Union Pier planning team possesses expertise in resiliency, project financing and implementation, and community engagement. Sasaki will be responsible for generating a planned unit development (PUD), reflecting significant community input, for the Union Pier site. 

“We are excited to work with Sasaki and confident in their team’s ability to develop, in partnership with our community, a world-class plan for Union Pier,” said Dr. Kendra Stewart, Director of the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Center for Livable Communities at the College of Charleston (Riley Center). “Not only does Sasaki have the expertise to deliver a high-quality plan that maximizes public benefit, but their track record also proves that they are capable of creating something realistic that can cross the finish line.” 

Although the planning consultant will ultimately be hired and managed by the Riley Center, today’s recommendation is the next step in a nearly two-month long selection process which has been shaped by the Union Pier Stakeholder Advisory Committee. In addition to co-creating the list of firms invited to submit proposals, committee members developed the following criteria by which proposals were evaluated: 

·     Internationally recognized team with demonstrated experience and qualifications

·     Demonstrated success working in internationally recognized historic districts

·     Demonstrated success with waterfront development

·     Track record of the master plan being successfully implemented

·     Proven track record in visioning and community engagement with demonstrated ability to build consensus amid complex community dynamics

·     Proven ability to design and implement a project design that enhances the public realm and promotes inclusivity

·     Demonstrated ability to create plans focused on enhancing resilience

·     Previous experience in Charleston valued

On October 5th, staff from the Riley Center, SC Ports, and City of Charleston conducted a technical review of proposals submitted by the September 22nd deadline. Of those submitted, four responsive proposals were advanced to the Stakeholder Advisory Committee for their review and consideration. Discussion regarding these proposals took place in executive session during the committee’s October 11th meeting, after which the recommendation was publicly announced. 

“We are proud to be able to say that today’s announcement is the outcome of a process driven by a diverse group of community delegates who, together, represent a range of issues, points of view, and constituencies,” said Dr. Kendra Stewart. “We look forward to working with Sasaki to keep community input and engagement at the center of this planning process.”

During the next phase of the process, the Riley Center will work with the selected firm and Stakeholder Advisory Committee to develop a full scope of work including an extensive community engagement process, master plan for the Union Pier site, details for the PUD, and a detailed schedule for the entire process.