Metro Jacksonville

Downtown Revitalization: Charleston

(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/2429041377_mPnzrM6-M.jpg)

Metro Jacksonville explores the urban core of the South's original large city: Charleston.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-apr-downtown-revitalization-charleston

If anyone is thinking about seeing Charleston, now is a great time.  When the azaleas and dogwoods are in bloom, it is at it's peak visually.  The gardens are the equal match for the architecture.  Of course, the crowds are larger too. 

Quote from: vicupstate on April 09, 2013, 05:15:50 AM
If anyone is thinking about seeing Charleston, now is a great time.  When the azaleas and dogwoods are in bloom, it is at it's peak visually.  The gardens are the equal match for the architecture.  Of course, the crowds are larger too. 

Correct, now is one of the best times of years to visit. That being said, it's also probably the most expensive! Gonna be hard to find a reasonable hotel with availability between now and Spoleto.

Easily one of the best cities in the country. If an opportunity were to arise, I'd move back there in a heartbeat. In living there 6 years, never once needed my car unless it was to leave downtown. You're right about the "perception" of parking issues. Like Jax, you always hear "I don't like going downtown because there's nowhere to park." Misconception. Tons of parking garages dotting the HD, always empty spaces, very reasonable. What a great food town, too.

You had a glancing picture of the outside of it, but you missed the Urban Outfitters.  That store is one of the coolest examples of adaptive reuse I have seen.

Charleston is a great sailing destination as well.  Strider and I remember the water with great fondness.

Quote from: acme54321 on April 09, 2013, 07:53:14 AM
You had a glancing picture of the outside of it, but you missed the Urban Outfitters.  That store is one of the coolest examples of adaptive reuse I have seen.

+1. It's amazing what they did to that building.

Charleston's real albatros: dealing with the cruise ships.

Beautiful city. Of course last time I was there it was right after Hurricane Hugo, didn't look so nice then. At least they have embraced their history and architecture and have turned it into a windfall.

Quote from: sheclown on April 09, 2013, 07:53:48 AM
Charleston is a great sailing destination as well.  Strider and I remember the water with great fondness.

I was there decades ago with a Y-Flyer becalmed in City Marina with the General Lee tour boat bearing down on us blasting their horn. A great paddling destination too. (with motivation)

Geez... I wonder how much parking this Mellow Mushroom had to cough up? 

(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/2429019940_77DWnTr-M.jpg)

That said... Great city... great sights, great food!!  8)

Last month, those two old Charleston streetcars were purchased for $40k.  They are being moved to Charlotte, where they will be restored for either active use or display:

(http://www.postandcourier.com/storyimage/CP/20130318/PC16/130319308/AR/0/AR-130319308.jpg&maxw=640&q=100)
The two cars in 2005.

full article: http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130318/PC16/130319308

Another wonderful pictorial.  Thanks MetroJax folks for all you do and provide to us.  I love Charleston very much (just not from June-August) and look forward to seeing friends and family there every year.



* Couple of nit-picks:  the plural of wharf is "wharves," and South Carolina seceded from the Union in December 1860, not 1859.

^Noted and corrected.  We've got some work to do in the department of properly editing and scheduling articles.

Doctor K, as possibly the last surviving 'States Rights' Confederate I appreciate your input on the dates.  ;)

Quote from: thelakelander on April 09, 2013, 11:18:46 AM
Last month, those two old Charleston streetcars were purchased for $40k.  They are being moved to Charlotte, where they will be restored for either active use or display:

(http://www.postandcourier.com/storyimage/CP/20130318/PC16/130319308/AR/0/AR-130319308.jpg&maxw=640&q=100)
The two cars in 2005.

full article: http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130318/PC16/130319308

And our readers should know that there are probably several houses in Jacksonville, Valdosta and Savannah made of the same streetcar materials. IF YOU SEE ONE - CONTACT MJ IMMEDIATELY. We've heard rumors of cars in the Woodstock/Beaver/Stockton area, and a much hotter tip that went to JTA about a car somewhere in San Marco, or in a San Marco house or garage. The lost cars in Savannah and possibly Valdosta, Macon or Albany could have Jacksonville roots.

In case anyone is interested, this is what Charlestonians think about this piece: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g54171-i105-k6376270-Photo_tour_of_Charleston-Charleston_South_Carolina.html

Tough crowd, lol.  However, it's all good.

These Learning From series aren't your traditional style of articles and they aren't intended to be.  They're basically brief photo tours with a mix of captions and occasional descriptions from various linked sources, such as wikipedia (which I do know a lot of people don't like).  They are done for the basic purpose of exposing Jacksonville residents to urban areas outside of our community. Through such exposure, perhaps we can gain and implement ideas and concepts successfully developed in other communities into our efforts to improve our own urban landscape.  For those looking for more detail on Charleston, I'd strongly suggest visiting that city or media sources specifically catering to its population and visitor base.

Quote from: thelakelander on April 10, 2013, 09:10:42 AM
Tough crowd, lol.  However, it's all good.

These Learning From series aren't your traditional style of articles and they aren't intended to be.  They're basically brief photo tours with a mix of captions and occasional descriptions from various linked sources, such as wikipedia (which I do know a lot of people don't like).  They are done for the basic purpose of exposing Jacksonville residents to urban areas outside of our community. Through such exposure, perhaps we can gain and implement ideas and concepts successfully developed in other communities into our efforts to improve our own urban landscape.  For those looking for more detail on Charleston, I'd strongly suggest visiting that city or media sources specifically catering to its population and visitor base.

Gotcha. Would you like me to relay the message, or don't bother? It is a tough crowd. TripAdvisor Destination Experts can be incredibly tough on outsiders, as they are a proud people  ;)

I'm in the process of signing up now.

Great post, thanks.