Storm-Related Operations to Continue Overnight and Until Nicole Has Passed

With local impacts from Tropical Storm Nicole expected to continue through midday tomorrow, representatives of the city's Emergency Management, Police, Fire, Stormwater, Public Services and Transportation departments will remain on emergency oper...

City of Charleston Closely Monitoring Tropical Storm Nicole

City of Charleston officials are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Nicole and have begun initial preparations for any potential impacts the storm may have here in the Lowcountry. City Emergency Management is working closely with state and regional officia...

City of Charleston Continues to Prepare for Arrival of Hurricane Ian

City of Charleston officials continue to prepare for impacts from Hurricane Ian. City Emergency Management is working closely with state and regional officials to monitor the storm’s track and coordinate preparation efforts.

Currently projected i...

Information will be added here before, during, and after a storm.

Statement of Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg on the Tragic Death of Police Chief Luther Reynolds

Today, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg released the following statement on the tragic death of Police Chief Luther Reynolds after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Chief Reynolds, 56, passed away peacefully in an area hospice facility on at 8:10...

City of Charleston Accepting Applications for Mayor’s Youth Commission

Applications are now being accepted for rising 9th through 12th (current 8th through 11th) grade students in Charleston County who are interested in serving on the City of Charleston Mayor’s Youth Commission. 

About the Commission: The M...

City of Charleston Hosting ‘Open Data Day’ Virtual Programs on Friday, March 3

The city of Charleston will join the worldwide celebration “Open Data Day” on Friday, March 3, 2023 with a number of virtual programs highlighting the benefits of access to data.

Charleston’s Open Data Day will be held virtual...

City of Charleston Hosting Small Business Opportunity Expo March 31 at Charleston Gaillard Center

Registration is now open for the City of Charleston’s 2023 Small Business Opportunity Expo, which will take place on Friday, March 31, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Charleston Gaillard Center. 

The purpose of the expo is for organiza...

City of Charleston Hosting Composting Workshops; New Drop Sites Opening in March

The city of Charleston and regional partners will host a series of free workshops for residents to learn about composting.

Workshops are designed to provide tools and resources to help residents get started composting, including information on the...

First Weekend of Charleston’s Increased Parking Enforcement Sees Only Eight Cars Towed

The Charleston Police Department’s increased weekend parking enforcement measures on King Street began as scheduled last Thursday night, and over the course of the first weekend, only eight cars had to be towed from the prohibited street spaces ...

Increased Parking Enforcement Measures Begins Feb. 9 as Part of CPD’s King Street Public Safety Plan

Increased Parking Enforcement Measures to Begin February 9 as Part of Charleston Police Department’s King Street Public Safety Plan

As part of the Charleston Police Department’s King Street safety plan – which includes stepped...

Mayor John J. Tecklenburg’s State of the City Address

The following State of the City Address was prepared for delivery by Mayor John J. Tecklenburg on January 24, 2023, at 6 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Sakran, members of City Council, honored guests, my fellow citizens:

What a difference a year makes.

Just 12 months ag...

City of Charleston to Begin Replacement of Long Creek Bridge on West Ashley Greenway

Contractors for the city of Charleston will begin a two-month bridge replacement project on the West Ashley Greenway Monday afternoon. The existing wooden bridge over Long Creek will be replaced with a new eight-foot-wide aluminum bridge.

The Long Creek Br...

City of Charleston to Hold AmeriCorps VISTA Virtual Information Session for 2023 Host Site Selection

The city of Charleston will hold a virtual information session for nonprofits and public agencies interested in this year’s AmeriCorps VISTA host site selection process on Thursday, January 19 at 9 a.m. via Zoom. 

AmeriCorps VISTA is the...

City of Charleston Announces New Mayor Pro Tempore, Committee Appointments

During last night's inaugural meeting of Charleston City Council for 2023, Council unanimously approved Mayor Tecklenburg’s recommendation of District Three Councilman Jason Sakran to serve as the city's new mayor pro tempore, ...

City of Charleston to Host Financial Empowerment Roundtable December 12

Mayor John Tecklenburg will host a Financial Empowerment Roundtable from 2:30 – 4 p.m. on December 12, 2022 in Council Chamber at City Hall, 80 Broad Street, to highlight information, resources and services available to residents facing financia...

Reminder: Annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting to Take Place December 4, 2022

The city of Charleston’s annual Holiday Parade will take place on Sunday, December 4, 2022, beginning at 3 p.m. 

The parade will begin near Colonial Lake on Broad Street, will continue east on Broad Street to Meeting Street, where it wil...

Charleston Partners with Intellicheck to Equip King Street Area Businesses with ID Scanning App

City officials and Intellicheck, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDN) today announced the launch of a new pilot program aimed at tackling the problem of underage drinking. The six-month pilot will allow up to 31 King Street area bars and restaurants to use Intelli...

City of Charleston Announces Upcoming Holiday Events

As the holiday season approaches, the city of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs today announced its “Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston” calendar of city-produced holiday events and celebrations. Key dates include:

• Dec...

Little-Known Automatic Tax Cut Reduced City Property Tax Bills by $28 million in 2022

Last year, Charleston residents were told that city property taxes were set to rise in 2022.

So why did their actual property tax bills from the city go down?

As city C.F.O. Amy Wharton explained at a special City Council budget meeting last night, the answ...

City of Charleston Meets Federal Funding Milestone for Ashley River Crossing Project

The city of Charleston has reached a significant milestone for the Ashley River Crossing bicycle and pedestrian bridge by officially meeting all the requirements to use the federal grant funding awarded for the project.

The Ashley River Crossing will be ro...

City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs Announces 'Anonymous Ancestors'

The city of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs presents Anonymous Ancestors, on view from October 28, 2022 to January 29, 2023 at City Gallery, 34 Prioleau Street. City Gallery will host an opening reception for the exhibition on Friday, Oc...

Following Successful Pilot, City of Charleston to Make Parking Rules on Upper King Street Permanent

After a successful pilot program lasting more than a year, the city of Charleston will soon make its weekend parking rules along King Street permanent.

The weekend parking rules, which prohibit street parking on King Street between Spring and Calhoun stree...

Anson Burial Memorial Plans Announced

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, Denny’s Chairman Brenda Lauderback, former General Director of Spoleto Festival USA Nigel Redden, sculptor Stephen Hayes and President of the Wells Fargo Foundation and head of Philanthropy and Community Impact...

Charleston’s Residential Compost Program Expands, Adds New Drop Sites with Regional Partners

Charleston’s residential compost program is now serving more people. All residents in the Charleston region can take their food scraps to participating drop sites – for free – to be composted locally. Food scraps are then sen...

Annual MOJA Arts Festival Continues Through October 9

The annual MOJA Arts Festival, a celebration of African-American and Caribbean culture, continues this week with a variety of free and ticketed performances, art displays and educational outreach.The festival highlights the many African-American and Carib...

October 3 Hurricane Ian Recovery Briefing

LATEST UPDATES

Damage reports: As of 3 p.m., 336 rapid neighborhood-level assessments and 100 FEMA preliminary damage assessments had been completed. In addition, 256 damage reports had been submitted through the city’s damage reporting ...

October 1 Hurricane Ian Recovery Briefing

LATEST UPDATES

As recovery efforts remain fully underway, the city of Charleston moved to OPCON-3 at noon today, returning the city to normal operations.

Damage reports: As of 11:30 a.m., 209 damage reports have been submitted through the city&...

September 30 Hurricane Ian PM Update

The city of Charleston moved to OPCON-2 at 8 p.m. this evening, as city crews continue recovery efforts that began this afternoon.

“While the city was fortunate to avoid a direct hit from Hurricane Ian, the impacts are still significant, with a n...

September 30 Hurricane Ian AM Update

September 29 Hurricane Ian PM Update

At 2 p.m. today, the city of Charleston joined Charleston County in moving to OPCON-1 as Hurricane Ian approaches the Charleston area.

With strong winds forecast for the area starting Friday morning, the Charleston Fire Department and Cha...

September 29 Tropical Storm Ian AM Update

Charleston, S.C. – The city of Charleston remains in OPCON 2 as officials prepare for impacts from Tropical Storm Ian.

Emergency declaration/ordinances: On Thursday morning, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Ian, Charleston Mayo...

September 28 Hurricane Ian PM Update

City of Charleston moved to OPCON 2 Wednesday at 4 p.m. as officials prepare for impacts from Hurricane Ian. City Emergency Management is working closely with state and regional officials to monitor the storm’s track and coordinate preparation efforts.In ...

September 28 Hurricane Ian AM Update

City Offices Closing Thursday at 3 p.m., Five Parking Garages Opening Thursday at 5 p.m., Sandbag Distribution Extended, Additional City Events Cancelled 

City of Charleston officials continue to prepare for impacts from Hurricane Ian. City Emerge...

City of Charleston Continues to Prepare for Arrival of Hurricane Ian

City of Charleston officials continue to prepare for impacts from Hurricane Ian. City Emergency Management is working closely with state and regional officials to monitor the storm’s track and coordinate preparation efforts.

Currently projected i...

City of Charleston Closely Monitoring Hurricane Ian

City of Charleston officials continue to monitor Hurricane Ian and have begun initial preparations for any potential impacts the storm may have here in the Lowcountry. City Emergency Management is working closely with state and regional officials to monit...

Annual 11-Day MOJA Arts Festival Begins September 29, 2022

The annual MOJA Arts Festival, a celebration of African-American and Caribbean culture, begins on Thursday, September 29, 2022. The 11-day festival includes a variety of performances, art displays and educational outreach.

Moja, a Swahili word meaning &...

Mayor Tecklenburg and Latinx Advisory Council Announce National Hispanic Heritage Month

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and the Mayor’s Latinx Advisory Council announced the city’s National Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 observances at a press conference Thursday.

“The Latinx Advisory Council has done an outstand...

Mayor John Tecklenburg Releases Statement

Today, Charleston Mayor John J. Tecklenburg released the following statement in response to recent acts of violence in Charleston, including last night’s shootings on King Street and in West Ashley:

"So far this year, we've lost nin...

The City of Charleston, Shifa Clinic Hosting First Clinic at Hope Center on August 19

The city of Charleston and the Shifa Clinic will host the first community health fair at the new Hope Center, 529 Meeting Street, on Friday, August 19, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Free health screenings will be available, including blood pressure, lung can...

The City of Charleston Hosting Annual First Day Festival August 7

The city of Charleston will host the annual Back to School First Day Festival on Sunday, August 7, 2022 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Charleston Gaillard Center (2 George Street) and South Carolina Aquarium (100 Aquarium Wharf).

Sponsored by the city of Charlest...

Annual ‘Operation Move Out’ Initiative to Begin July 29

The city of Charleston’s annual “Operation Move Out” initiative will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 29 and continue until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3, excluding Sunday, July 31. During this time, tenants are asked to place...

Volunteers, School Supplies Sought for City of Charleston’s Annual First Day Festival

The city of Charleston will host the annual Back to School First Day Festival on Sunday, August 7, 2022 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Charleston Gaillard Center and South Carolina Aquarium. Sponsored by the city of Charleston since 2003, First Day Festival is a...

City of Charleston Deploys “Glutton” Electric Street Vacuum to Aid Cleanup Efforts Downtown

The city of Charleston is the first major city in the United States to deploy a “Glutton” electric street vacuum to assist the city’s Environmental Services Division cleanup efforts along King Street and in the Market.

&ld...

South Arts’ 2021 Southern Prize and State Fellowships Exhibition at City Gallery

The city of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents South Arts’ 2021 Southern Prize and State Fellowships Exhibition, on view July 15 – August 28, 2022 at City Gallery.

South Arts’ 2021 Southern Prize and State Fellowsh...

Independence Day Celebration Canceled Due to Heavy Rains, Field Conditions

With significant water already on the field and more rain expected as we head into the weekend, Saturday evening’s free Independence Day concert and fireworks show at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park has been canceled.

Ticketholders who reserved paid pa...

Susie Jackson Freedom Memorial Garden to Open June 17

The Susie Jackson Freedom Memorial Garden will open to the public June 17, 2022, on the seventh anniversary of the tragedy at Mother Emanuel AME Church. 

The memorial garden is located behind the Charleston County Public Library at 68 Calhoun Stre...

Charleston’s ‘Bank On Charleston Youth’ Summer Virtual Financial Empowerment Series Starts Friday

This summer, the city of Charleston will host a virtual financial empowerment series for those in high school and college. This is the first time the program – ‘Bank On Charleston Youth’ – is being offered to the pu...

$42 Million Historic Archer School Renovation to Bring New Life to Charleston’s East Side

Thanks to a collaboration with the Humanities Foundation, a $42 million rehabilitation of the former and long-vacant Archer School on Nassau Street will be redeveloped into 89 affordable housing units for seniors at or below 60% of the area median income....

CPD COSSUP CORNER MAY 2023 Newsletter

Message from Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds

Today, Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds released the following open letter to the citizens of Charleston:

May 17, 2023

My Fellow Charlestonians,

After speaking with my doctors and praying for God's guid...

Charleston Police Announce Arrest in Fatal February Auto-Pedestrian Collision

Charleston Police Announce Arrest in Fatal February Auto-Pedestrian Collision     

Charleston, S.C. - Charleston Police announced an arrest in a fatal auto-pedestrian collision that occurred o...

Charleston Police Investigate Fatal Collision on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard

Charleston Police Investigate Fatal Collision on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard      

Charleston, S.C. - The Charleston Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is investigating a ...

"Talk Around CPD" First Quarter 2023 Newsletter

Read on...

Charleston Receives Achievement Award from Municipal Association of South Carolina

The city of Charleston was awarded the Municipal Achievement Award from the Municipal Association of South Carolina for our public meeting engagement portal, created to ensure citizens were able to provide public comments when meetings were held virtually...

Connect with the City via Text

As part of its customer service offerings, the city of Charleston is now using Citibot, an interactive text messaging and customer service tool for civic engagement with government.

With Citibot, residents and visitors of Charleston can use text message-ba...

Progress Implementing Charleston's Climate Action Plan

A new report outlining implementation progress of Charleston’s Climate Action Plan is now available.  

The 5-year Climate Action Plan was adopted by City Council in May 2021 and the report outlines initial progress from May 2021 through ...

Opportunities Available to Learn More about Charleston's New Climate Action Plan

A bold strategy to address our changing climate.  Charleston's new Climate Action Plan was created with assistance from hundreds of community members and formally adopted in May 2021 by City Council.  It is a 5-year strategic fr...