College of Charleston Holds Community Meetings on Student Housing Project  - The College Today

In an ongoing effort to keep the campus and community informed and engaged on a much-needed expansion of student housing, the College of Charleston will continue to host community information meetings on the Coming Street Commons project.  

The next meeting takes place on Monday, August 4, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences’ Michael Auerbach Auditorium (202 Calhoun St.). 

A virtual meeting option is also available via a teleconferencing platform at the following link: https://go.charleston.edu/community 

At the community meeting, the College and project partners will provide updates on the Coming Street Commons project, solicit feedback and welcome questions from attendees. 

The planned student residence hall complex will be located just north of Calhoun Street, granting easy access to essential campus services. With a multi-use design, Coming Street Commons may include grab-and-go food options and green spaces, creating a dynamic residential experience for the students who live there. It will also ease student housing pressure in the surrounding community. The project complements the existing 200- bed housing located at the 99 St. Philip St. residence hall.  

The College has and will continue to engage with residents and other stakeholders throughout this planning process. The site of the new residence hall includes the location of the former YWCA of Greater Charleston at 106 Coming St.  

“The College of Charleston recognizes and appreciates the significant role the YWCA and that site played in the history of the Charleston community, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement,” said President Andrew Hsu. “The College of Charleston honors the leadership and longstanding community benefit provided by the YWCA and is working collaboratively with the South Carolina State Historic Preservation office, YWCA leadership and supporters and leaders from the broader community to incorporate  a thoughtful, appropriate commemoration into the design of the new complex,” he added.   

The site encompasses a former municipal cemetery, known as a Potter’s Field, which records indicate dates to the late 18th century. Community engagement, as well as a comprehensive geophysical and archaeological assessment, are key touchpoints as the project progresses, to ensure the history tied to this land is properly documented, preserved and commemorated.  

Following the Aug. 4 meeting, the next community meeting about the project is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences’ Auerbach Auditorium (202 Calhoun St.). 

Join the project mailing list for more updates.