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BCD Council of GovernmentsJuly 2012
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The BCDCOG in brief
Welcome to the BCD Council of Governments digital newsletter. This newsletter is published once a month to bring you highlights of projects and activities being undertaken at the agency. Should you have any questions or would like to request additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 

Town of Moncks Corner and Moncks Corner Public Works Commission Receive Grant
   

The Town of Moncks Corner and the Moncks Corner Public Works Commission (MCPWC) were recently awarded $145,000 from the SC Department of Commerce to upgrade approximately 2,525 linear feet of 8 inch sewer collection lines located on Bonnoitt and Gulledge Streets. The MCPWC made extensive examinations of the sewer lines situated along these streets and concluded upgrading these lines would be a definite cost effective means of improving the overall efficiency of the sewer collection system.

 

The sewer collection lines were constructed in 1949 and have exceeded their life expectancy. The proposed project is to upgrade the existing sewer lines using cured-in-place sewer pipe rehabilitation. The project will result in a long term resolution of the infill and infiltration of storm water into the sewer system and infiltration of sewage into the ground water in the targeted project areas. The economic life of PVC cured-in-place piping is estimated to be well over fifty years as opposed to the existing concrete pipe.

 

Past history has shown the sewer mains that have been slip-lined using the cured-in-place technology have reduced the amount of flow that occurs in wet weather periods in these subsections. This technology provides a savings in maintenance cost to Public Works, removes the potential of line blockages from root intrusion since all pipe joints are eliminated, and increases the flow characteristics of the sewer line due to the viscosity of the PVC cured-in-place liner.

 

Decreasing the inflow and infiltration into the sewer collection lines in the project areas will have a secondary impact on the sewer treatment plant by increasing its treatment capacity. If the treatment plant is operating more efficiently thus increasing its treatment capacity, it makes it easier to attract and maintain economic development prospects.  

 

 
 
Partnership for Prosperity

 

Neck Logo

The Partnership for Prosperity's steering committee was provided with an overview of the draft plan at a meeting on July 25that the BCDCOG.  The draft plan outlines specific advantages and opportunities for improvements within the "Neck Area" focused on the goal of revitalization and economic development.  Steering committee members reviewed the Plan's concept of catalyst (activity) areas where the principal objective is a transformation of place through investments in public and private economic activities. A design guide of how catalyst areas can be achieved will be included in the final plan, yet overall objectives for these areas support the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC) revitalization plan completed in 2010.

 

A major opportunity being addressed is to improve the organization and connectivity within the Neck Area. The committee additionally reviewed an overall framework for physical organization of the Neck Area, which proposes connecting "spines and ribs" of parks, roads, sidewalks and bike lanes, transit services and freight corridors. Special consideration was given at this meeting to the mobility of trucks through the study area and accommodation of future transit service enhancements. 

 

Delivery of a final draft report to the Committee for comment is expected in August. The report will subsequently be presented to the public at community briefings this Fall. Interested persons are invited to visit the project website at www.neckprosperity.org to find additional project information.  If you have any questions, please contact Kathryn Basha at kathrynb@bcdcog.com.

CARTA Bus Survey Conducted  

 

 In July, staff from the BCDCOG, Charleston Civic Design Center, and the City of Charleston Planning Department assisted the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) with a two day survey of bus ridership on the Charleston Peninsula.  Routes surveyed included the popular free  DASH trolley which stops at Waterfront Park, the Charleston Visitor's Center, the Market area and King St.  It is anticipated that the survey will assist CARTA in continuing to provide the most effective service for the visitors and residents using these routes. 

 

Town of Harleyville Receives CDBG Grant

The SC Department of Commerce recently awarded the Town of Harleyville $454,500 in Community Development Block Grant funds to upgrade a sewer pump station and install approximately 2,100 linear feet of sewer force main on Bowman Drive. The Town of Harleyville was awarded funds after a statewide competitive process. The Town will provide matching funds to complete the funding requirements necessary to complete the project.

 

The pump station has experienced repeated pump failures and required continuous maintenance due to an inability to keep up with the sewage flow. Most recently the Town was required to bypass the pump station for five days while the pump station was unable to handle the ongoing sewage flow.

 

The pump station was constructed prior to the construction of an adjacent hotel and apartment complex that greatly increased the sewage flow to the pump station. The upgraded pump station will result in a long term resolution to an ongoing problem for the Town of Harleyville. The pump station will enable the Town to provide ongoing and improved sewer service to the 175 residential users and businesses of the Town served by this pump station.

 

Mayor Ackerman was quoted in a recent edition of the Eagle-Record that "This grant money will let us build a whole new pump station, to reroute the main to a different manhole, which will save us time and energy. We desperately need this; we've had a lot of problems with that station. It has a lot of water coming into it, a lot of sewage. This will be a tremendous help to the town."

 

 
In This Issue
Town of Moncks Corner Receives Grant
Partnership for Prosperity
Town of Harleyville Received CDBG Grant
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Business Trident Area  Agency on Aging Seeking Your Input

 

The Trident Area Agency on Aging (TAAA), also known as the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), is seeking public input from individuals in all parts of the region, even those who are not yet old enough to receive services. This information will help TAAA plan services to meet the most critical needs for citizens in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties.

 

The TAA/ADRC provides information and assistance for seniors, persons with disabilities, and some disabled veterans, as well as the people who care for them. They also provide informatoin and referral services, insurance counsling, legal assistance, long term care services, home safety modifications, meals, socialization, transportation and similar services.

  

Please click here to complete this survey by August 31st. Your response is anonymous and all answers will be kept confidential.

 

 BCDCOG Region Transit Consolidation Feasibility Study

 

The BCDCOG has contracted with URS Corporation to complete an analysis of the feasibility to consolidate the urban and rural transit providers, CARTA and Tri-County Link, into a regional provider serving the BCD Region. The Study will include an evaluation of current operations of both systems, proposed consolidation options, and a final analysis and implementation document. A steering committee was formed to guide the process and to provide feedback to the Executive Director. The committee held a kick-off meeting on May 22nd, and another committee meeting is planned for September. The Consultant Team has interviewed stakeholders and continues to work on the current evaluations report. The project is scheduled for completion in October 2012.

BCDCOG Revolving Loan Can Assist Your Business

 

We currently have funds to loan. The RLF's primary goal is job creation and retention. It is designed to assist businesses whose projects will improve the tri-county economy. Eligible uses for loans include the purchase of equipment and land, and the improvement of real estate and building facilities. Contact us today for more information.