Daniel Island Residents to Help Decide the Future of 62 Acres Donated to the City

Charleston Mayor William Cogswell announced at theState of Our City: Daniel Island & Cainhoy event on Oct. 20, 2026, that the city will open a public input process on the future of 62 acres donated to the city on Daniel Island, off Oak Leaf Street. Ideas raised at the staff level so far include athletic fields, trails, and parking. Residents can share their ideas beginning in January, when the city launches its public engagement process. 

“This land was given to the city by the Brumley family, and we are very grateful for it, especially at a time of unprecedented growth in our area,” said Cogswell. “That growth makes every open acre worth more. We want to get this one right, and that starts with listening to what residents want.” 

The city is also exploring a concept for a public pier behind the Daniel Island Recreation Center that would continue to expand connectivity on the island. The pier remains a concept, and any plan for the site will go through the city’s standard public process. 

The mayor also shared that work on new pedestrian safety improvements at Seven Farms Drive and Pier View Street, including curb extensions and flashing beacons, is expected to begin as soon as next week. Residents have raised safety at that intersection repeatedly, and it was among the questions submitted ahead of last night’s event. Wildwood was selected as the contractor, and the project will cost $182,000. 

On Cainhoy, Cogswell noted that the Point Hope development team, at the city’s request, submitted a comprehensive plan to the city’s Technical Review Committee covering the full build-out of the property rather than one phase at a time. They were not required to do it. That submittal gives city staff a clearer picture of what is coming over the next 20-plus years and lets the city plan roads, drainage, and public services around it. “We asked them to take on way more than what our process requires, and they put forth the time and money to meet that ask,” Cogswell said. “That’s the kind of partnership we want with developers who build here.” 

The city also has just over four acres near Point Hope under contract, land that could have held about 80 apartments, as part of a larger effort to secure about 28 acres for future public services, including a fire station and a police station. About 15 of those acres are wetlands. 

The event was the third stop of State of Our City, a five-part series this fall in which Cogswell and Charleston City Councilmembers are sharing what’s underway, what’s finished, and what’s ahead in each part of the city. Councilmembers Boyd Gregg (District 1) and Mike Seekings (District 8) joined the Daniel Island & Cainhoy event. Upcoming stops include James Island and the Peninsula.

Learn more at charleston-sc.gov/StateOfOurCity.