Anson Borough Homes

Anson Borough Homes was a housing complex located in Charleston, South Carolina bounded by Washington, Concord, Calhoun, and Laurens Streets. The project was one of a series of federally funded housing projects built in the 1930s and early 1940s during the Segregation Era. It meant to be used as housing for Black residents and would cost $2.30 per room per month.[1]

Ansonborough Homes - looking south from Calhoun

Construction

The land was condemned by the Charleston Housing Authority; the owner was ultimately awarded $28,000 following a jury trial over the valuation.[2] The project was named in honor of George Anson.[3] Construction by the Artley Co. of Savannah, Georgia began in September 1939 using an interlocking, glazed tile instead of bricks.[4] The United States Housing Authority agreed to transfer the housing project to the Charleston Housing Authority once the construction debt was repaid but in no less than 60 years.[4]

Anson Borough Homes was announced to open about February 1, 1940.[5] The project had 162 units (691 rooms).[6] The project was described as a slum clearance project which removed 120 dwellings.[7] The project cost $701,664.[7] The first residents did not move into the units until Reuben Shears and his family moved in on March 1, 1940; priority was given to residents of the former dwellings that had been demolished for public housing.[8]

Demolition

In 1997, the EPA said that the land was not contaminated with enough pollutants to interfere with its use.[9] City Councilman James Lewis pointed to the fact that the public housing had been closed in part because of a fear of pollutants but that the same land was, once the public housing had been demolished, not a risk.[9] In August 1998, the city received two redevelopment proposals for the land, both of which included an educational component.[10]

The City decided in 2007 to sell much of the land that had been the housing project to East West Cumberland Park Associates for $16 million.[11] The plans would include a hotel and retail space and a limited amount of housing.[12] Concord Park was built on part of the land.

In 2018, oil still seeped from the ground at a rate of 50 to 400 gallons per month.[13]

The demolition of the public housing over environmental concerns before its redevelopment, including a $60 million condominium,[14] has been cited as an example of racial basis and environmental injustice in Charleston.[15]

References
  1. "Housing Aim Is Presented". Evening Post. Charleston, South Carolina. October 4, 1939. p. 2.
  2. "$28,000 Verdict Found". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. November 16, 1940. p. 7.
  3. "Housing Project Named for Anson". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. July 13, 1939. p. 14.
  4. "New Manor Units Open October 1". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. September 1, 1939. p. 8-ii.
  5. "First of Housing Unit Open Feb. 1". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. January 19, 1940. p. ii-1.
  6. "Anson Project 40 P.C. Through". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. January 2, 1940. p. 10.
  7. "Rentals for Negro Units". Evening Post. Charleston, South Carolina. February 21, 1940. p. 5.
  8. "First Residents Move Tomorrow". Evening Post. Charleston, South Carolina. March 1, 1940. p. 14A.
  9. Frazier, Herb (July 3, 1997). "Ansonborough site no risk, EPA says". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. p. B1.
  10. Frazier, Herb (August 15, 1998). "Ansonborough site no risk, EPA says". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. p. A1.
  11. "Council hopes Concord Park helps heal old wounds". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. July 23, 2007. p. B3.
  12. Slade, David (May 5, 2006). "City picks local bidder - Concord Park project in Charleston to be designed for mixed use". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina.
  13. Peterson, Bo (February 19, 2018). "Oil still oozes at old pollution clean up site near Charleston waterfront". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. p. A1.
  14. Wise, Warren L. (February 15, 2017). "New $60M downtown Charleston condominium project breaks ground". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. p. B1.
  15. Johnson, Chloe (July 21, 2020). "Gadsden Creek becomes a flashpoint in Charleston discussion on environmental justice". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. p. A3.
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