On January 22, 2026, Mayor Cogswell presented his vision for the peninsula should the Transportation Sales Tax (TST) extension pass, outlining $300 million for an extended battery and $200 million for additional projects.
The event, held at Burke High School, was organized by the North Central, Westside, Hampton Park Terrace, and Wagener Terrace neighborhood associations. These groups have expressed concern that funding a seawall could divert resources from other critical infrastructure needs on the peninsula.
[VIDEO] Upper Peninsula Mayoral Transportation Sales Tax (TST) Town Hall
Summary of Mayor Cogswell’s TST Presentation
This summary outlines the Charleston Mayor’s presentation regarding the proposed extension of the half-cent Transportation Sales Tax (TST) and its critical role in funding infrastructure, particularly the “Battery Extension” project to combat flooding on the Charleston Peninsula.
Main Topic: The necessity of extending the existing half-cent Transportation Sales Tax (TST) to fund critical infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on the proposed “Battery Extension” project to provide holistic flood protection and create an iconic public amenity on the Charleston Peninsula.
Comprehensive Summary of the Mayoral Transportation Sales Tax Town Hall
1. Background and Context of the Transportation Sales Tax (TST)
- Existing Tax: The TST is a half-cent sales tax, not a new tax. It was first initiated in 2004 and extended in 2016, typically running for 20-year periods.
- Primary Funding Source: It serves as the number one funding source for roads in Charleston County. Without its extension, the city faces a severe infrastructure deficit.
- Previous Defeat (2023): An attempt to extend the TST in 2023 failed, primarily because the controversial I-526 extension project consumed nearly 60% of the projected funds, and residents were frustrated by slow project timelines.
- Current Proposal: Charleston County, along with the mayors of Charleston, North Charleston, and Mount Pleasant, are collaborating on a new, transparent, and prioritized list of projects for a TST extension, which will be on the November ballot. The I-526 extension is no longer on the list.
- Projected Revenue: The extended TST is projected to generate approximately $4.2 billion over the next 20 years.
2. Charleston City’s Allocation and Infrastructure Challenges
- Charleston’s Share: Based on population (just under 50% of Charleston County), the City of Charleston anticipates being allocated roughly $2 billion.
- State-Owned Roads: A significant challenge is that most roads in Charleston are owned and maintained by the state, not the city. City property taxes primarily fund police, fire, and other municipal services, not road infrastructure.
- Historical Disparity: In previous TST initiatives (2004, 2016), only 3% of combined funds went to the Peninsula, despite it representing about 25% of the city’s population and being a rapidly growing area with significant economic impact. Much of that went to the Ravenel Bridge, which also benefits Mount Pleasant.
- Proposed Funding Breakdown (City of Charleston):
- Approximately 50% for road projects and major infrastructure.
- Approximately 47% for public transportation, bike and pedestrian safety, sidewalks, paving, and greenbelt initiatives. (Specific breakdown for smaller projects is not detailed to allow flexibility).
- Peninsula’s proposed allocation is $500 million from the city’s share.
3. The Battery Extension: A Critical Peninsula Project
- Purpose: To holistically address flooding on the Peninsula, protecting the downtown area, its vital job centers, and historical assets.
- Partnership & Funding: This project is a partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers, with the federal government covering 65% of the estimated $1.3 billion total cost. The local match required is $450 million.
- TST Contribution: The Mayor proposes allocating $300 million from the Peninsula’s $500 million TST share, capped at this amount, towards the local match. This represents only 7% of the total projected TST funds.
- Additional Local Match Funding:
- South Carolina Ports Authority ($75M): To protect the Columbus Terminal, which has experienced significant flooding.
- Union Pier Redevelopment ($75M): Through a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district, leveraging private sector investment and future tax revenues.
- Vision and Benefits:
- Enhanced Design: Moving beyond the Army Corps’ initial “ugly 12-foot wall” concept, the redesigned Battery Extension aims to marry form and function, creating an amenity and linear park.
- Mobility & Connectivity: Connects the new Ashley River Crossing pedestrian bridge to the marina and Brittle Lake, facilitating pedestrian access and active transportation.
- Economic & Public Space: Supports the redevelopment of the marina district, protects the hospital district, and allows for a major public park at Union Pier, connecting to the Lowline to form a linear park around the historic district.
- Comprehensive Flood Protection: The project is designed to address both storm surge and the more common tidal/rainy day flooding (which accounts for 99.75% of flooding). It incorporates a “Lockwood Lake” concept with gate systems for water retention and management during storms.
- Proven Impact: Modeling the project against the December 2023 flooding event (the second highest on record after Hurricane Hugo) indicated that 99% of the Peninsula would have been protected.
- Economic Return: The Army Corps analysis projects a 10x return on federal investment due to the high economic value of the protected area.
- Phased Implementation:
- Phase 1 (Current): Replacement of the High Battery (submitted for this year’s federal budget).
- Phase 2 (Next Year): Western alignment, extending up to Wagner Terrace.
- Phase 3 (2028): Eastern alignment, from High Battery to New Market Creek.
- Northern Areas (Wagner Terrace, Rosemont): Flood protection will primarily involve nature-based solutions, recognizing the higher ground and unique feasibility challenges.
4. Other Peninsula Investments & The Need for the TST
- Remaining Funds: The remaining $200 million of the Peninsula’s TST allocation will fund vital smaller projects such as sidewalk improvements, intersection upgrades, and other neighborhood-specific needs. Decisions on these will involve various boards and county applications.
- No Alternative: Without the TST, there is no major funding source for these critical infrastructure improvements. The only viable alternative would be a significant property tax increase, which would exacerbate affordability issues (whereas ~50% of TST revenue comes from visitors and non-residents).
5. Key Takeaways from Q&A
- Water Displacement: Modeling confirms that redirecting water from the Peninsula will not worsen flooding in West Ashley or the Upper Peninsula. A system of deep drainage tunnels and high-capacity pumps (e.g., at Spring Street) will manage rainwater.
- Cash Flow & Project Cost: The $300 million allocation for the Battery Extension is an aggregate number, including potential debt servicing if bonds are issued. The Mayor believes the $4.2 billion TST projection is conservative and advocates for no cap on the total funds collected to meet future needs.
- Cost Distribution: The Mayor acknowledged the political reality that other municipalities and parts of Charleston County (e.g., Mount Pleasant, Johns Island) prioritize their own infrastructure needs and would likely reject the TST if their allocated funds were significantly diverted to the Peninsula.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Gaining approval requires significant cooperation from numerous federal and state environmental agencies. The Mayor has engaged these agencies proactively, seeking transparency and a willingness to consider “exceptions to blanket rules” where overall environmental and public benefits are substantial.
- Connected Parks Funding: The linear park vision will be funded through a mosaic of sources, including TST funds, developer contributions, federal grants, and existing city budgets.
- Spring Street Pump Station: The new pump station aids in draining rainwater but does not address tidal flooding, which the Battery Extension would. Both systems are designed to work in unison for comprehensive flood mitigation.
- Call for Education and Support: The Mayor urged attendees to educate themselves and their communities about the TST and the Battery Extension project, acting as ambassadors to counter misinformation before the upcoming ballot decision.