MORNING NEWSBREAK | South Carolina lost two iconic buildings Thursday starting with an early fire that destroyed Bowman’s odd and renowned UFO Welcome Center. Later in the morning, a work crew finished demolition of a white Art Deco home overlooking Breach Inlet on Sullivan’s Island.
Bowman resident Jody Pendarvis started building the space-age structure and operating it as an attraction about 30 years ago. It brought people from across the nation to see the odd outpost.
Pendarvis reportedly woke up early Thursday to the sound of the 16-foot-tall, 46-foot-wide building on fire. Crews from several area departments battled to save the center, but could not.
Bowman Mayor Patsy Rhett told reporters that officials don’t know what started the fire, but an investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, on Sullivan’s Island, crews were seen finishing up demolition on the curvy-white landmark structure Thursday. The home with iconic curves was originally built in 1982 and has been recognized for decades for its unique architecture. The property’s owners and Sullivan’s Island’s planning director decided it was best to demolish the building, as it was vacant and in disrepair, according to media reports.
In City Paper news today:
CP OPINION: Charleston council should get real on future-proofing flood zones. “It’s crystal clear two things are good bets in the future. First, the seas will continue to rise slowly, which represents an emerging threat. But with increasingly worsening storms every year, storm surge poses an immediate inundation risk.”
CP CARTOON:
CP PROFILE: Palmetto Project’s Steve Skardon is connected. Steve Skardon was often found at intersections of policy and politics in Washington and South Carolina in ways that continually enriched others’ lives. Now after 32 years as head of the Palmetto Project, he’s retiring.
CP FOOD: Felix Landrum opens new concept in Charleston. Felix Landrum, founder of Félix Cocktails et Cuisine on King Street is bringing his second project to Charleston: La Cave (pronounced “La-Cahv”), a bar-forward space meant for lounging.
CP ARTS: ‘Journey’s End’ opens, glimpsing into life during World War I. The Village Repertory Company has unleashed a bracing look at World War I in Journey’s End, the 1928 dramatic work by R.C. Sheriff offering an intimate vantage on the horrors of the first Great War.
In other news today:
Charleston Greek Festival kicks off today. The 53rd annual Charleston Greek Festival kicks off today at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Charleston, celebrating Greek culture through food, wine, music and dancing.
Wild Thursday marks end of regular legislative session. The 2024 regular session of the South Carolina General Assembly ended Thursday and will perhaps be better remembered for the things that didn’t pass. Examples: A hate crimes bill and a measure to consolidate six health agencies into one.
New S.C. hurricane evacuation zones take effect this year. The South Carolina Department of Transportation, Emergency Management Department and Highway Patrol leaders have updated the state’s evacuation zones during a major storm for 2024. The groups analyzed data from the past several years to provide the best possible plan for S.C. residents.
Summerville town council passes hate crime ordinance. Summerville Town Council passed a proposed hate intimidation ordinance Thursday, which aims to protect citizens who feel unsafe because of factors such as skin color, religious beliefs, gender identity or sexual orientation. Meanwhile, North Charleston also passed their own version of a hate crime ordinance.
Charleston mayor says financing plan could revitalize Union Pier. Charleston Mayor William Cogswell says a broad coalition of groups is voicing their support for a plan to fund infrastructure and greenspace at Union Pier. The group supports a tax increment financing district, a public financing method designed to stimulate private investment in a blighted area, according to Cogswell.
S.C.’s first Four Season approved by BAR. South Carolina’s first Four Seasons-flagged luxury resort has the full green light from Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review to proceed.
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