City Council Defers Partial Demolition of Iconic Eastside Smokestacks

St. Julian Devine Community Center smokestacks courtesy of the Post and Courier

On Tuesday, the City of Charleston asked City Council to approve more than $500,000 to fund the partial demolition of the c. 1935 St. Julian Devine Community Center smokestacks down to 60ft. in height, citing concern for their structural stability during hurricane season.

PSC Executive Director Kristopher King spoke in defense of the smokestacks, urging Council not to proceed with funding this proposal to allow time to study plans for stabilization and openly engage with the community. The PSC noted the projected 60-day timeline for demolition would provide no protection or benefit for hurricane season and that a second engineer’s opinion is necessary to evaluate all options for the future of the smokestacks. Council ultimately agreed more time was needed to allow continued study of stabilizing and preserving the structures, and deferred the decision for two weeks, until the next Council meeting.

The thousands of signatures, comments, and phone calls made in support of saving the smokestacks made an impact, and we thank you for standing up with us! But the fight is not over and more voices are needed. Please continue to share the petition by the Preservation Society and Historic Charleston Foundation and stay tuned for more information on how to engage in this important conversation!

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