AC Repair in Goose Creek, SC

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCIV) — A white dust emitted from the Century Aluminum plant has been spreading through parts of Goose Creek.

Goose Creek Mayor Greg Habib addressed the issue in a social media post on Oct. 2.

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According to Habib, the white dust is Alumina dust, which is produced during the smelting process. Alumina dust is not supposed to leave the plant and is considered an important component of plant's ability to make more aluminum.

Century Aluminum believes the emissions may be caused by an "unusual" failure in the plant's baghouse, according to Habib.

"As you may know, all exhaust from the manufacturing process runs through a scrubber to clean the air and the Alumina dust is collected into the bags in the baghouse," the mayor said in a statement. "Century Aluminum then takes the dust and reintroduces (it) into the manufacturing process to make more aluminum."

According to Habib, Century Aluminum is looking at two potential possibilities for the emissions. One possibility is a recent change of suppliers for the filters in the baghouse and another is recent episodes of high pressure in the baghouse.

The mayor says Century Aluminum reported the issues to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

"Century assures us they are working diligently to address these emission issues," Habib said in a statement. "I do not doubt this. The Mount Holly aluminum smelter has been in operation for more than 40 years. They employ hundreds of our friends and neighbors and have a tremendous impact on our local economy. In my 40 years of living here, I do not recall another issue related to emissions from the plant."

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Habib also says he has asked for a town hall from Century Aluminum and the DHEC.

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An online petition was created on Oct. 1 demanding action to reduce aluminum emissions from the plant. As of Oct. 3, it has 333 signatures.

Members of the Devon Forest community say they want answers from the Mount Holly Century Aluminum plant after an “emission” was recorded in the past month.

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) - Members of the Devon Forest community say they want answers from the Mount Holly Century Aluminum plant after an “emission” was recorded in the past month.

Neighbors say they have been dealing with a gritty substance since the beginning of September.

“It’s not something like pollen that’s nice and soft. It’s a hard, silica-type sand, almost,” homeowner Nick Marino said. “It’s not something that easily comes off.”

The substance has settled onto cars, household items and other property. When it first happened, neighbors said it was a light, thin layer. After a few days, that turned into small piles.

“Didn’t think too much at first. It wasn’t a lot,” Marino said. “But as time progressed, it became more and more.”

Marino says he noticed it more often in the early mornings.

“First thing in the morning, I come out, there’s stuff all over the car,” he said. “I guess it’s prevalent, would happen overnight, maybe.”

Many who noticed the change say they were not sure how to remove the substance safely.

“If you try to wipe it off, it scratches the paint on your car,” Leslie Deaver said.

Community members were concerned about whether the substance was safe to breathe, touch or remove.

“It worries us for health reasons, it worries us for vehicles and whatever else, the school in the neighborhood,” Marino said. “We just want to know what’s causing it and a solution so it stops.”

“We’ve been here 15 years, we’ve never seen it this bad,” Deaver added.

A statement released from Mount Holly Plant Manager Dennis Harbath confirms an alumina emission from the plant as of Sept. 5:

Due to a process disruption, Century Aluminum´s Mt. Holly plant has experienced an emission of alumina, a non-hazardous raw material used in our smelting process. Local regulators were notified on September 5 and are working closely with us on the matter. Since the occurrence, a team has been working to promptly resolve the issue. Century Aluminum’s Mt. Holly plant is diligent in its safety and environmental protection measures, and, as of this time, there is no determination that the plant emitted any substance in exceedance of permitted limits, and we are investigating whether any of the emission particulate traveled beyond the plant property. Nonetheless, we are conducting a thorough internal inquiry to prevent future occurrences of this issue.

Alumina, or aluminum oxide is white or nearly colorless and used to make aluminum metals. The plant says they are working to investigate the issue and fix it.

Community members still have eyebrows raised.

“This shouldn’t be something that’s kept in the dark, reviewed behind closed doors. Let the public know what’s going on, get us involved,” Marino said. “Maybe hold an open house with Century Aluminum so we can have our questions answered.”

Neighbors asked for wider community awareness and transparency from the plant when these emissions occur in the future.

“It’s literally right across the road from us, from our backs. Were probably the closest to it in this neighborhood,” Deaver said. “That would be nice to know. ‘Hey, we’re going to release this at a certain time, this is what to expect.’ Just community knowledge.”

Harbath released a follow-up statement Tuesday saying the company is continuing to monitor progress:

As an update, we have been continuing to diligently work on resolving our process disruption and have taken a number of actions to minimize any resulting emissions. In addition, we are still in regular communication with regulators on our progress, including a recent visit to our site.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Officials are working together to bring the ditches and drainage service in an area of Goose Creek up to par after major flooding from summer storms.

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - State, county and city leaders say they are working together to bring the ditches and drainage service in an area of Goose Creek up to par after major flooding from summer storms.

After a staff meeting Tuesday morning, officials say they will be working together during the next 60-90 days on drainage system improvements. Work includes retrenching the ditches to the correct depth to allow flow, as well as inspecting each pipe for breaks or blockages.

Families in the Boulder Bluff and Beverly Hills neighborhoods experience heavy rain and flooded yards and foundations over the summer.

One family even suffered a loss of income when a member fell and broke an ankle trying to clean out the drainage area himself.

One issue the people ran into while trying to voice the problem was knowing who to bring their concerns to.

Mayor Greg Habib of Goose Creek says the city is not directly in charge of that service, but he stepped in to get all the people involved around one table to talk about next steps.

“Yes, they feel like they’re getting the runaround. And it’s because of how we are structured in South Carolina in Berkeley County in the city of Goose Creek,” Habib says.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation manages the roads and easements, the county manages drains and stormwater and many of the addresses are in the city. Those agencies say they are collaborating on a solution.

After heavy rains over the summer and getting multiple calls each, the agencies began workshopping with each other. Habib says he invited everyone to an in-person meeting Tuesday morning in Goose Creek to help.

Berkeley County Councilman Tommy Newell, State Representative Brandon Cox and SCDOT planners all came out.

The department of transportation says they are retrenching all the ditches next to the roads they run. The ditches will be deeper and clearer for water to flow through. The county is going into its drains, and making sure there are no breaks or blocks in those pieces.

“The first thing we need to do is ensure that we get the system back to its proper condition right. Are the ditches the proper depth? Are the storm drains open? Are the pipes underneath the roads all open for flow up and down the system? And so we believe that I personally believe that’ll take care of a lot of the issue” Habib says.

Habib says Boulder Bluff and Beverly Hills are older neighborhoods where many people have lived for nearly 40 years in their homes. He knows that the severe flooding issues have been amplified in past years by the continuing changes to the area.

“It’s important to note that in 60 years ago, when neighborhoods were built there were no stormwater, requirements, stormwater laws, stormwater engineering, there wasn’t any of that. You see a neighborhood get built today, they’re all required essentially to keep their stormwater on their own on the development right. That’s why there are retention ponds and detention drains and all of those things. Well that didn’t happen 60 years ago,” Habib says.

Given the older style of the system and the potential for deterioration, the agencies are doing a full assessment after this summer’s heavy rains. Their work in the next 60-90 days is meant to bring the system up to its max performance ability. Habib hopes that’s the solution to all the problems.

“It may be. I suspect it probably is, but it may not be. And if it’s not, we will then identify what we can do to raise the system up so that it does meet the standard that needs to be there today,” Habib.

Habib says anyone who is having specific problems is always welcome to bring their concerns to the city and county council to explain their issue and get help from the right agency.

“Water doesn’t know the boundaries of a municipality. So the stormwater money from within the city of Goose Creek goes to Berkeley County. Because I believe and so does the county believe that stormwater is much better managed from a macro county perspective than a micro-neighborhood,” Habib says.

Residents in the neighborhood say they are hopeful the work mitigates their issues and look forward to the completion of the retrenching and pipe clearing. Then they will await the next rain, and see if more work is needed, or if their system is doing enough.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

The city of Goose Creek is the most populated city in Berkley County. And with a tight-knit community, beautiful outdoor attractions and a great location with close proximity to Charleston, the city’s population continues to grow and thrive.

Goose Creek was officially founded in 1961, but its early history dates back to the beginning of the Carolina colony. The city was a waterway at the time, and the name “Goose Creek” likely originated due to the curved shape of its creeks and waters, similar to that of a goose’s neck.

The first inhabitants of the Goose Creek territory were the Eitwan and Sewee Indian tribes, and European settlers then arrived in the early 1670s. The rich soil of the area along the Cooper River attracted wealthy planters from the British Caribbean colony of Barbados, including Sir John Yeamans and Sir Peter Colleton.

The region of Goose Creek became known as home to the “Goose Creek Men.” These men established a trade route with the Native Americans, trading goods from cloth to guns and ammunition.

The Goose Creek Men were known for questioning higher authority of the Lord Proprietors in the colony, and they eventually undermined the hierarchy, gaining a majority in the Commons House of Assembly.

The majority of white inhabitants of Goose Creek practiced Anglicanism, but many Huguenots were established there after 1700, including the Izard family on the Elms plantation. The Anglican Parish of St. James Goose Creek was established in 1706 and completed in 1719 by a small group of planters.

St. James Church still stands today and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in South Carolina and one of the only surviving Georgian chapels in the nation.

By the eighteenth century, Goose Creek was a prosperous and popular area for rice production. The town continued to experience population growth, measuring a population of 2,787 in the first U.S. census in 1790. 2,333 members of that population were slaves who harvested the rice plantations.

Goose Creek remained prosperous for rice production into the nineteenth century, with the eventual demise of rice plantations after the Civil War led to the abolishment of slavery. Hurricanes eventually wiped out the remains of rice fields across South Carolina. The area became desolate and as a result, the population decreased heavily.

In the twentieth century, wealthy northerners bought land in Goose Creek to inhabit during winters. They moved to the area to hunt. The United States Ammunition Depot was established near Goose Creek, later becoming the Naval Weapons Annex in 1959.

These new establishments brought growth to Goose Creek, resulting in the need for the town to become incorporated. The town of Goose Creek was incorporated in 1961. The population underwent a surge in numbers, from 3,656 in 1970 to 17,811 by 1980, making it the largest city in Berkeley County.

The town continues to grow steadily. In 2021, its population clocked in at 46,229. The city is an attractive destination for future homeowners, boasting award-winning schools, recreational activities and a close proximity to the city of Charleston and coastal beaches. Goose Creek also hosts many events and takes pride in offering their residents the ability to live, work and raise families in the town’s borders.

A new apartment development is coming to a master-planned community in Goose Creek.

GBT Realty Corp. plans to build a 306-unit multifamily complex called The Village at Carnes Crossroads between St. James and 3rd avenues. More than 11,000 square feet of retail space also will be part of the project.

The Brentwood, Tenn.-based company bought the nearly 12-acre parcel off U.S. Highway 17A in early August for $5.14 million from Carnes Crossroads Associates LLC, according to Berkeley County land records.

The property is across the street from a planned Publix-anchored shopping center in the 2,300-acre Carnes Crossroads development.

The four-story community will include 11 buildings, featuring studio to three-bedroom units. Amenities for the “lifestyle community” will include small- and large-breed dog parks, saltwater pool, fitness center and co-working space, according to GBT executive Barry Yoeckel.

A coffee purveyor is expected to be added as well.

“We designed and planned our community to enhance and connect with the surrounding Carnes Crossroads neighborhoods,” Yoeckel said.

The first units are expected to be available by spring 2025.

Relocated

A regional architectural firm recently completed its move from a prominent downtown Charleston location to a more highly visible structure on the peninsula.

More than seven decades ago, The Post and Courier’s predecessors set up shop on upper King Street in a three-story building that was expanded and upgraded over the years.

In the not-too-distant future, the block-long structure that for 70 years until 2021 served as the home of the South’s oldest daily newspaper will become history itself.

Plans are in the works to demolish the now-empty building bounded by King, Columbus and Line streets and the future Lowcountry Lowline linear park on the Charleston peninsula.

In its place will sit the third and final phase of a 12-acre redevelopment project called Courier Square. The concept calls for five buildings rising three to 12 stories with one level of underground parking on the footprint of the existing structure.

“Having multiple buildings with multiple elevations will make it much more interesting,” said Ron Owens, CEO of Evening Post Industries Inc., the former parent company of The Post and Courier. “Putting parking underground will be more expensive, but we believe it’s worth it.”

The uses haven’t been determined, but Owens noted they are likely to include retail, office, residential and hospitality.

About an acre of the 3.6-acre site is set aside as green or open space, with setbacks to allow for on-street parking, wider sidewalks and a planned pedestrian plaza through the center of the block.

“We hope that allows us to go higher in some places and lower in others,” Owens said.

The plaza will extend from King Street to the clock tower on The Guild Apartments overlooking the Lowcountry Lowline.

Beneath the clock tower will rise a pavilion at the center of a square next to the future linear park on a former rail line.

The final phase will center on development of a public space, according to Christian Sottile, an architect with Sottile & Sottile of Savannah who is helping to shape the project.

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“It’s being called Courier Square, but there was no square,” Sottile said.

The main drivers of the concept under consideration were King Street and the old rail line and how to connect the two. As talks that began more than a year ago morphed, the idea gelled for the space beneath the clock tower to become the public square of Courier Square.

Sottile called it a “living room on the Lowline,” where the public could gather while visiting the proposed linear park or enjoy an outdoor meal.

To make the development work with the amount of proposed open space, Sottile pointed out buildings will be lower in height near the street and rise higher in the center of the block. The planned tallest structure of 12 stories will sit next to Line Street and the Lowline.

Retail and restaurant spaces are planned at street level while office workers, residents and hotel guests will occupy upper floors. Parking entries are planned off Line and Columbus streets, and a domelike structure could anchor the corner of King and Line streets.

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Plans also call for parallel parking on both sides of King Street along with expansive sidewalks around the project.

“You don’t get the opportunity to do this on an entire block very often, if ever,” Sottile said. “The plan is to make the public realm better, the project better and the skyline better.”

The project is still a few years from becoming a reality. It still has to make its way through the city approval process and is about a year away from going to the Board of Architectural Review for initial consideration, according to Owens.

The 226-unit, eight-story Guild and the neighboring five-story headquarters of apartment giant Greystar comprised Phase I of Courier Square. Both opened in 2018.

Construction on the first buildings in the second phase could begin next year. That plan calls for four residential structures with 333 units on part of the block bounded by King, Line and St. Philip streets.

Another project called The Peninsula is planned next to Hoffler Place on part of the same block as the residential buildings. It will be for senior living. Construction could start after work on the residential developments is underway, Owens said.

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Reach Warren L. Wise at wwise@postandcourier.com. Follow him on Twitter @warrenlancewise.