AC Repair in Johns Island, SC

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Charleston is seeking public input on plans for Johns Island’s first-ever recreation and aquatic center.

Council members say this is a long-awaited project that will bring major amenities to one of the region’s fastest-growing communities.

The proposed design includes two swimming pools, an indoor gymnasium with two basketball courts, fitness rooms, classrooms, multipurpose spaces, a catering kitchen, outdoor pickleball and basketball courts and an inclusive playground and splash pad.

The project, located off Maybank Highway, will be funded by the City’s $70 million parks bond referendum that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2023.

City officials say the preliminary design incorporates nearly all the amenities that residents have requested so far. Their primary interest in seeking feedback lies in the number of multipurpose rooms, noting the island’s limited meeting spaces.

Charleston District 3 Councilmember Jim McBride says the new center will provide convenient, much-needed recreation opportunities for residents who currently must travel long distances to access similar facilities.

“These kinds of things are needed public services,” McBride says. “When they’re on the island, people don’t have to drive a long way to get that. Right now, if someone wants to use a pool, they have to drive 20 or 30 minutes away and that’s a barrier for some people.”

City leaders believe expanding recreational options on Johns Island will help reduce traffic congestion by giving families more reasons to stay on the island for activities.

The public feedback meeting will be held Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Haut Gap Middle School, where city officials and the design team will present preliminary plans for the 50,000-square-foot facility.

Construction of the recreation and aquatic facility is expected to begin within the next two years.

JAMES ISLAND — On Nov. 4, residents will choose two new representatives to join the Town Council.

After voters passed a referendum in 2023 that expanded James Island Town Council’s governing body from four members to six, the time to add those new council members has come. The four residents who are running to fill the two seats said they are committed to serving the residents but differ slightly in how they plan to do so.

‘We are one James Island’

Julia Drayton-Crumblin has lived on the island her whole life. She’s opening a childcare center for kids ages six months to 3 years old in January and runs a rental property business with her sister.

Her platform revolves around town connectivity and giving back, from exploring ways to keep housing affordable to encouraging more neighborhood connections. Drayton-Crumblin said she’s considering starting a community garden.

“I do believe we are one James Island, and I want all of us to remember that so we can still become successful and thrive as a community,” Drayton-Crumblin said.

While she's still exploring specific approaches to affordable housing, Drayton-Crumblin said she wants to ensure there is smart development on the island. She’s open to visiting other municipalities to see what they’re doing to keep housing accessible for residents.

Being a voice for residents

Stanley Kozikowski is retired, but said when you live on James Island, you never really retire.

“There’s too many people to help,” he said.

Kozikowski spends a lot of time volunteering with various nonprofits on the island and enjoys helping his neighbors out. He hopes to continue helping the community on Town Council, mostly by working to slow down development.

There are multiple reasons for pacing the rate of development, he said. The island needs infrastructure to catch up with the growth. Kozikowski added he also wants to save more green space for wildlife.

He’s committed to being a voice for residents when coordinating with neighboring municipalities and Charleston County, he said.

Focusing on the residents

Kristen Meredith Poston, a server and bartender, said her job has many similarities to a community leader.

Poston has served a term on the James Island Public Service District Commission. She said that role has helped her learn to listen to people, whether they’re talking about issues or something they’re excited about.

Poston hopes to continue her focus on residents if she’s elected to Town Council. While she would be an elected official, she would be working for the residents and ensuring their voices are heard, she said.

She added that while the Charleston area is becoming more popular and more people are moving here, she wants to curb development and preserve James Island’s character. Poston said she’d want to keep the island calm and as far away from over-development as possible.

Town Council is ‘a lifelong calling’

Michael O’Shaughnessy Williams said when he moved to James Island seven years ago, he fell in love with the town and knew he never wanted to leave. He also realized this is where he’d want to run for office to help the community, describing it as a lifelong calling.

Williams’ top priority if elected is land preservation and pushing back against development. The marsh, creeks and tree canopy help make James Island special, and he wants to protect that.

The town needs leaders who have the determination to push back against the city of Charleston and the county when it comes to zoning for future development, Williams said. He added that he wants to work with both local governments because they all have jurisdiction on James Island and hopes collaboration will help solve issues residents have.