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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]

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