The board of the S.C. State Ports Authority has unanimously approved an ordinance allowing port staff to move forward on construction of a new office along the Wando River in Mount Pleasant. The project could cost up to $40 million, port documents show.
The maritime agency plans to build a larger footprint near the Wando Welch Terminal in Mount Pleasant after selling its downtown office building in January for $38 million. Port CEO Jim Newsome has said he wants staff closer to port operations.
The new office will have about 84,000 square feet of office space and 3,000 square feet for outdoor plazas and decks.
By comparison, the port currently has about 63,000 square feet for its office operations, spread among its 36,000-square-foot main office at 176 Concord St. and several other buildings around the city.
The board heard a status update on the project during its May meeting, held Wednesday. Choate Construction has been selected as the preferred design-builder. The plans are being submitted to Mount Pleasant this month. The ports authority expects the contract to be finalized in June, with construction wrapping up in November 2018.
