Work to Begin on Colonial Lake Improvement Project

CHARLESTON, SC – Construction for the Colonial Lake Improvement project is anticipated to begin on Monday, January 19, 2015.  The contractor, Wildwood Landscape Contractors, will begin work by installing the silt fence, tree protection and temporary construction fencing to secure the site.  Once the fencing and tree protection are in place, demolition work and preparation for drainage work will begin.

For the duration of the construction, which is scheduled to take about a year, the entire park will be closed. There will also be limited on-street parking, as some of this area will be used for construction and demolition. Signs will be posted for parking.

Key components of the Colonial Lake renovation include:

• A new and improved water supply system so the water within the Colonial Lake Basin will be more consistent with the water quality in the Ashley River.
• Gardens designed and maintained with the highest level of horticultural skill.
• An enhanced promenade around Colonial Lake with new, improved and additional pathways and shade trees.
• New and enhanced seating and gathering places situated all around the lake.
• Slight narrowing of Rutledge and Ashley avenues to add new space to the park as well as slow traffic and enhance pedestrian safety. All travel lanes and on-street parking will be maintained. The additional park space will be used for new street trees, including shade trees along Ashley Avenue.

This project is a public/private partnership between the City of Charleston, the Charleston Parks Conservancy, and Historic Charleston Foundation. More information about the Colonial Lake project, including renderings and FAQs regarding the project, is available at www.charlestonparksconservancy.org. Site rendering is attached to this email.

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