Memorandum of Understanding

This project relies heavily on, and is enhanced by the development of a coalition of multiple public and private sector leaders.  On August 18, 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the City of North Charleston, CSX Transportation, Inc. and Shipyard Creek Associates, LLC to promote the development of an intermodal facility that will serve to reduce truck and other vehicular traffic on roads in the North Charleston area created by the opening of the Navy Terminal, and discontinue CSX railroad use on right-of-way between the S-Line between Viaduct Road just north of Cooper yard to the Norfolk Southern rail line just south of I-26, and convey this right-of-way to the City for public use.

Download the full MOU and Agreement here

The MOU between the City, CSX, and Shipyard Creek can be broken down into three key components which are outlined below.  This document is a win-win for the communities, the City and the region because they all will be able to see the fulfillment of some of their long-range goals.  This MOU honors and further advances the existing MOU between the City and the State by routing rail out the southern end of the City as opposed to the northern end of the Navy Base through residential neighborhoods.

1. Abandonment of the Rail Along Spruill Avenue

  • CSX would abandon through “Rails to Trails” or by deeding to the City the property the rail occupies along Spruill Avenue from approximately Braddock to approximately Viaduct.
  • The total acreage that the City will receive is 32+/- acres.
  • The City Comprehensive Plan, LAMC Plan and the Noisette Plan all call for the removal of this rail to allow Park Circle, Olde North Charleston, Century Oaks, Horizon Village, the Noisette Development, Union Heights and Chicora-Cherokee neighborhoods to be reconnected.
  • No rail would come through Chicora-Cherokee and rail would be shifted out of the Park Circle area.
  • Potential for a greenway for pedestrian and bicycle connection (or even a mass transit system) to Downtown Charleston.

2. Redevelopment of the Stromboli Corridor

  • The City intends to purchase 40+/- acres of industrial land along the Stromboli Corridor.
  • Area has been targeted by LAMC as a redevelopment area to reconnect Union Heights, Windsor Place, Chicora Cherokee and the Jacksonville Road Area.
  • City will use the land for community revitalization working closely with LAMC.
  • A new overflow rail line would be run through the Stromboli Corridor.

3. Redevelopment of the Cooper Yard/Macalloy Site

  • The Cooper Yard/Macalloy Site would be redeveloped into an intermodal rail yard and warehousing facility.
  • This would be a major job generator for the area.
  • A sound wall would be constructed along Spruill Avenue.
  • The project would reduce the number of trucks on local streets and roads.
  • The Clemson Wind Turbine Research Facility would be allowed to move forward, creating more jobs.