The College of Charleston is moving forward with plans to build a new dormitory for students on Coming Street, but the project has sparked significant controversy due to the historical importance of the site.
Historical Concerns About the Location
The proposed site for the dormitory is at 106 Coming Street, where the old YWCA once stood. This building was a significant location during the Civil Rights Movement, where prominent Charleston leaders would gather. The YWCA site holds deep historical and cultural value for the community.
Lisa Jones from the Historic Charleston Foundation emphasized the importance of the location, stating, “It is very important in terms of the history it brings and the story it holds. It was an important place of gathering during the civil rights movement and it has so many stories and so many meaningful memories for people in the community.”
A Burial Ground on the Site
Another source of concern is the historical burial ground believed to be on the site, which dates back to the 1700s. The ground is believed to contain the remains of around 4,600 individuals, mostly African Americans, many of whom were slaves or freed slaves. Some were Africans who did not survive the transatlantic journey.
James Njonjo, a local resident, expressed his concerns about the project, stating, “4600 bodies, most likely black bodies, former slaves or recently freed slaves but also Africans that were captured on the west coast of Africa that did not survive the transatlantic journey… there’s a lot of concern that they’re going to dig into that, rip it up, and there’s 4000 people resting right there.”
Residents Call for Respectful Development
Despite the concerns about the site’s historical significance, the College of Charleston has received approval from the board of architectural review to proceed with demolition and construction. However, residents want to ensure that the development respects the site’s history and the people associated with it.
Njonjo stressed that before construction begins, a detailed and respectful plan should be created. “They haven’t explicitly stated how they plan on doing this in a way that’s respectful of the people. Before you do anything, create a plan that does do everything right.”
Call for Community Input
As the demolition has been approved, the College of Charleston is encouraging community engagement and feedback. Jones, from the Historic Charleston Foundation, urged residents to focus on preserving the history of the site. She said, “Since the demolition has been approved, now is the time to show up and let the project team know what you want to see on the site. It’s not the time to oppose the demolition of the building, it’s the time to say, ‘We know this is going to happen, so let’s preserve the history, let’s preserve the remains, and let’s do something really special that builds on our history.'”
The College of Charleston has committed to sharing more details about the Coming Street Commons project and will continue to engage with the community at upcoming meetings. A statement from the College reads, “The College of Charleston is looking forward to sharing more Coming Street Commons project information, answering questions, and engaging with the community at the next meeting.”
