Published Wednesday, May 07, 2008 11:34 AM
Updated Wednesday, May 07, 2008 11:34 AM
Intersection equals 'logical place to develop'
What do the Daniel Island Co., Del Webb Corp., Roper St. Francis, Starmax Entertainment Group and the city of Goose Creek have in common? All of these groups have an interest in the intersection of U.S. highways 176 and 17-A in Berkeley County.
"It's just kind of a logical place to develop," Goose Creek assistant city administrator Jeff Molinari said.
In January 2006, at the request of the Daniel Island Co. and Del Webb, Goose Creek annexed the northern, southern and western tracts of land surrounding the intersection.
Last month, Roper St. Francis began applying for permits from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to start its $10 million surgery center in Carnes Crossroads, a Daniel Island Co. community near the intersection. In late September, Roper St. Francis announced plans to buy 66 acres of land from Daniel Island Co. Hospital officials hope to begin construction on the facility next fall with a projected opening date of late 2009.
Starmax Entertainment has announced plans for a 62,000 square-foot entertainment complex in Cobblestone Village on U.S. Highway 176. The complex will include up to 12 stadium-style movie theaters, 24 bowling lanes, two arcades, a food court and a sports bar.
Harris Teeter also has announced plans for a 48,000 square-foot grocery store in the Carnes Crossroads community.
Rumors of a Costco locating near the intersection were denied by company officials, who said they are looking for easier access from Summerville and North Charleston. Molinari also said he had not heard from the discount giant.
"When you look at the residential communities that are surrounding, that is the logical growth area for Berkeley County -- plus you have great access to the interstate," Molinari said. "With development of Carnes Crossroads, it will allow the city to expand its retail base."
Four years ago, this intersection was barely a blip on the city's radar screen. Now, the area has jumped into the city's center stage as it looks to open its first-ever theater and hospital.
"It changed our whole scope of moving forward," Molinari said.
The area has been successfully received more so than Goose Creek's other large intersection, U.S. highways 176 and 52, he added.
"You're dealing with a blank canvass (at the intersection of 176 and 17-A)," Molinari said. "There's no existing businesses -- it's pretty wide open."
As the intersection attracts more and more retail and commercial growth, another avenue of growth will open up in the county and in the city, Molinari said.
"There are opportunities on the horizon that right now we don't know of," he said. "That's not the only avenue of growth for the city."
Lindsay Street is a staff writer with The Gazette. Contact her at 572-0511.