Partly cloudy. Low 64F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Partly cloudy. Low 64F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

Developers George Christodal (standing) and Robert Carnevale (seated) attended last Tuesday's Town of Summerville Standing Committees session to discuss their designs on breaking ground on a apartment complex project in Downtown Summerville. The investors floated their idea of also leasing or purchasing a portion of town-owned property near Jessen Boat Landing, presently owned by the Town of Summerville. 

Developers George Christodal (standing) and Robert Carnevale (seated) attended last Tuesday's Town of Summerville Standing Committees session to discuss their designs on breaking ground on a apartment complex project in Downtown Summerville. The investors floated their idea of also leasing or purchasing a portion of town-owned property near Jessen Boat Landing, presently owned by the Town of Summerville. 

During September 6 Parks & Recreation Committee meeting held at Summerville's Town Hall Annex, Town Administrator Lisa Wallace shared that she had received a request from Robert Carnavale regarding leasing or purchasing a portion of town-owned property near Jessen Boat Landing.

Chairman Bob Jackson and committee members Aaron Brown and Kima Garten-Schmidt participated in the meeting.

Carnavale spoke about an apartment complex project he is proposing to build on land adjacent to the town property and the need for additional space for a parking lot. Garten-Schmidt requested the existing master plan for the property in question be sent to Council.

The property is approximately one-and-one-half acres and is managed by Town of Summerville Parks and Recreation. A motion was passed to receive the presented information until such time when a formal offer is considered for consideration, otherwise denying discussion as there was nothing specific before them.

Carnavale is a long-standing developer in the Charleston area who says he is partnering with long-time associate, developer George Christodal, to build a maximum of 124 affordable apartment units at 2020 Old Trolley Road. The pair has worked together on numerous projects over the past thirty years, according to Carnavale.

“Our plans are to build two four-story, multi-family buildings as ‘workforce housing’ — affordable for working people such as firemen, policemen, teachers and others,” said Carnavale. “We’ll also work with the Veterans Administration to qualify and send tenants to us.”

“We’re approaching the city in an effort to keep costs down so that people can afford to live there; not like the $3,000 rents that Summerville is seeing,” said Carnavale.

He explained that construction plans now call for all of the parking for the complex to be underneath the building, which is very expensive. “We thought if we could buy that piece of land from the city, we could build a parking lot. That would be cheaper and can be passed on to the tenants at an affordable price. Rents will be determined by the cost to build.” The units will be designed to be nice, but not luxury; not fancy, but "very attractive," according to Carnavale.

“I think it’s a tremendous site — walkable to post office, bus-lines, boat landing, walking trails,” said Carnavale, also citing nearby businesses such as Aldi, McDonalds and Waffle House. “Plus, it’s already zoned (UCMX- urban corridor mixed use development) for what we want to put there.”

Carnavale and Christodal are in contract to purchase the land where the apartments will be built. The current owner is Joseph Rice, founder member of the legal firm, Motley Rice. Closing on the property is scheduled in February of 2023. Carnavale says that construction, once approved, may take up to a year.

The sale of the Town property could be an issue for Parks and Recreation, according to Wallace. The existing Master Plan designates that area to wetlands recreation with the possibility of related building, such as fishing piers, boardwalks or picnic shelters. “The Master Plan outlines intention but is not a commitment,” said Wallace, adding, “Staff doesn’t make that decision. Council won’t respond until they receive a written offer.”

A formal offer will be presented to the Town during the coming week, according to Carnavale. “The offer will be based on the price $313,000 per acre that we are paying for the land next door where the apartments will go,” said Carnavale.

“Despite the Town’s answer regarding the sale of their property, we will move forward with building the units,” said Carnavale. “They can do what they want. I hope they don’t turn us down. Apparently, there are a lot of people that don’t want more multi-family units. Because of the overdevelopment of some areas, we will have some push-back.” Carnavale contends that there is currently no affordable housing in Summerville.

The Journal Scene 103 Journal Alley Summerville, SC 29483