Quartz CountertopsNear Ravenel, SC

RAVENEL — This small town of 2,700 people southwest of Charleston could double in population within 10 years to the current size of neighboring Hollywood as more than 1,100 new homes are built in two previously annexed large tracts and another one vote away from being added.

At the same time, officials are considering annexing another parcel for more new residences, its fourth tract in two years.

Ravenel’s planning board will consider a request March 23 to annex 20 acres on New Road adjacent to a 24-acre parcel already in the town for a new housing development called The Stables on the combined 44-acre tract.

Homebuilder D.R. Horton plans to build 52 single-family houses on 19 acres, according to site plans. The company also wants to set aside just over 1 acre for commercial space, about 8 acres for a water feature and 16 acres for green space. Part of the property is undevelopable wetlands.

The development, south of U.S. Highway 17 at 5823 and 5827 New Road, would have public water but be served by septic systems.

The pending annexation comes as the town considers a proposal to annex 755 acres on Davison and County Line roads for a new housing project called The Preserve. Augusta-based developer Southeastern wants to build 350 homes and set aside 25 acres for commercial space across from the firm’s Poplar Grove development.

A historic Broad Street property that’s housed banks, law firms and a publicly traded real estate company over the past 134 years or so is back under local ownership in a deal totaling $6.2 million.

An affiliate of EP Group purchased the 15,500-square-foot, three-and-a-half story building at 39 Broad St. for $5.58 million last week, according to public land records. The deal included an adjacent 16-space parking lot at 28 Elliott St., which sold for $620,000.

The seller was Healthcare Realty Trust of Tennessee.

The vacant commercial building is between East Bay and Church streets. It underwent a top-to-bottom renovation about eight years ago.

EP Group, which said it invests in middle-market, U.S. based businesses and is based on Meeting Street, plans to take part of the newly acquired property. A spokesman said the privately held company is reviewing “a range of possible plans” for the rest of the space.

“We look forward to being the stewards of this building and remaining part of the vibrant downtown community,” EP Group CEO Terry Hurley said in a written statement.

The new owner and The Post and Courier were owned by the same parent company until September 2021, when both were spun off as standalone businesses.

According to Historic Charleston Foundation, 39 Broad dates to the late 1800s — with the “marked verticality” of its arched windows among its most distinctive architectural features. The builder was Charles Otto Witte, a wealthy German-born businessman and consul for various European nations who once lived at what’s now the Ashley Hall school campus.

The structure later became known as the Exchange Bank and Trust Co. building, named for an early tenant was established in 1891. Local archives show a law firm and Merchants’ and Miners’ Bank were operating at the same address a few years earlier.

Southern Charm alum Thomas Ravenel dragged his ex Kathryn Dennis after her former costars spoke out in support of her at BravoCon.

'The worst person in the world I know is Kathryn Dennis and the total losers who make excuses and applaud her horrific behavior like Craig [Conover] and Shep [Rose] and Austen [Kroll]. Total Losers,' the 61-year-old politician - who recently suffered a punctured lung in a polo accident - wrote in a since-deleted tweet on Tuesday, per Page Six.

After a fan asked Ravenel on X why he 'picked' Dennis to be the mother of two of his children -- the exes share eight-year-old daughter Kensington and six-year-old son St. Julien -- the former reality star replied, 'Damn good question! You got me there!'

When another X follower inquired online, 'So what has set off this tangent? What has KD done this time?', Ravenel answered, 'She was involved in a hit and run at an elementary school crossing. Anymore questions???'

In October, a vehicle registered in the 32-year-old's name was involved in an alleged hit-and-run at Whitesville Elementary School in her native South Carolina.

Critic: Southern Charm alum Thomas Ravenel dragged his ex Kathryn Dennis after her former costars spoke out in support of her at BravoCon

Harsh words: Ravenel said, 'The worst person in the world I know is Kathryn Dennis and the total losers who make excuses and applaud her horrific behavior like Craig [Conover] and Shep [Rose] and Austen [Kroll]. Total Losers'

Ravenel's social media slams came after Conover revealed at BravoCon over the weekend that the cast was 'in touch' with Dennis -- who departed the series after eight seasons in January.

'The door’s always open and I think she’s working on herself and has a lot of work that she has to do before she comes back,' Conover said on the panel.

Rose added, 'We’ve come a long way and you’ve all seen the bumps and bruises and all that stuff and unfortunately, Kathryn stumbles sometimes.

'We do love her because there’s a person right inside of her that we know is a good person.'

In May, it was reported Ravenel temporarily won custody of their two kids after a long custody dispute since their separation in 2016, per The Sun.

Thomas originally filed for sole custody in 2020, with Kathryn temporarily losing custody in 2021.

In 2021, after he was temporarily awarded full custody, his attorney said: 'I can confirm the information released last week that Ms. Dennis currently has weekend, daytime supervised visitation with the parties' minor children and that Mr. Ravenel plans to relocate with the children to Aiken, South Carolina this summer.'

The pair previously shared joint custody of their children, and the arrangement worked well for the exes, according to the Southern Charm star.

Still friends: Ravenel's social media slams came after Conover revealed at BravoCon over the weekend that the cast was 'in touch' with Dennis -- who departed the series after eight seasons in January; Conover and Rose at BravoCon 2023

Better days: Ravenel and Dennis first began dating in 2013 before splitting up for good in 2016

Departure: Dennis departed the series after eight seasons in January

'We actually have a great coparenting relationship,' she told Us Weekly in November 2019.

'It's good for him, it's good for me. We're moving forward, which is the first time I've said that in a long time and it feels good.'

The positive words struck a contrast to their otherwise ugly custody battle, with Thomas accusing Kathryn of being addicted to prescription medications and marijuana, among other allegations. Dennis denied the accusations.

Ravenel and Dennis first began dating in 2013 before splitting up for good in 2016.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Police, firefighters and community members gathered Monday morning for a walk on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in a show of support for the first responders and heroes of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

The 10^th Annual 9-11 Silent Walk began in Charleston and came to an end at the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.

No words were exchanged and only the sound of cars passing by could be heard as people from all over the Lowcountry and beyond participated in the silent walk across the Ravenel Bridge during the morning hours.

Tian Griffieth, who serves as executive director and captain of the North Charleston Fire Department, said this decade-old ceremony started with a text message that was sent 10 years ago.

“This has been something that we started out as five friends … a text message saying hey, let’s go something on 9-11. We came out, we walked that day the entire Ravenel Bridge and that day set off a chain of events that have allowed us to be here for the last decade,” he said.

Now, thousands have joined the walk with support from across the spectrum – from kids who were born after September 11, 2001, to those who were there in person when the attacks happened 22 years ago.

“We immediately saw the smoke, and there was a solid stream of people that were running out of the area. We got to the base just before the collapse and we started taking care of people,” recalled 9/11 first responder Johan Zamoscianyk.

“We had seen the first plane hit the towers. We went from Queens, and by the time we got into Manhattan the second plane had hit and the first tower came down,” said Retired NYPD Detective Michael Rooney.

The moment of silence and process of first responders across the Ravenel — a symbol to serve as a reminder for everyone to see.

“We put 343 firefighters on this bridge every year, police officers, members of the community, walking as a symbol of those people that were lost,” said Capt. Griffieth.

After reaching the end of the Ravenel Bridge, participants gathered on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown where organizers held additional events commemorating 9/11 and the first responders.

“It’s a surreal event. Seeing everybody walking across the bridge is reminiscent of people walking up the westside highway,” said Zamoscianyk.

Event organizers say since the inaugural walk in 2013, over 6,000 people have walked the Ravenel Bridge to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

RAVENEL, S.C. (WCSC) - A 350-unit housing development in the Town of Ravenel is one step closer to being built.

For some background, the proposed 350-unit development sits on 755 acres of land on Davidson Road, right across the street from Poplar Grove Equestrian Center.

According to the developer’s plans, 131 acres will be preserved as wetlands, 145 acres will be dedicated to green space and park and 25 acres will be for commercial use.

On Tuesday night, the town’s council unanimously approved the development during its first reading with contingencies, including adding a 100-foot buffer for residential areas and restricting gasoline sales, big box stores and boat stacking in the development’s commercial portion.

Some residents who attended Tuesday’s meeting said they are concerned about the impacts the development will have on the town’s infrastructure.

Angela Brown said she has lived in Ravenel her entire life. Brown said she’s not entirely against development in the town, but thinks 350 units will disturb the community.

“I’ve always known it as a rural area-- country. Walking bare feet on a dirt road, watching the birds in the trees, we used to play in the woods,” Brown said. “You’re coming through our village, this is our village, and you’re wanting to force something down our throats”

David Baird lives on Davidson Street-- the same street where the 350-unit development is proposed. He said people live and move to Ravenel for a reason, because it is rural.

“We’re not ready for that. It’s a rural area. It’s meant to be that way,” Baird said. “The road is small, there’s not really a way to expand the road without covering up current sewer lines.”

Mayor Stephen Tumbleston said the development will benefit the community financially and believes it will be noninvasive to the surrounding community.

“The entire Tri-County area is changing, and I don’t particularly like it. I grew up right down the road. I’ve seen the changes; we’re trying to manage that with the developments that we have approved,” Tumbleston said. “All the traffic that you see on Savannah Highway and all of our secondary roads, aren’t from anything that we’ve done in the last couple of years. It’s just the natural progression of the traffic that’s flowing through our town.”

The Costal Conservation League provided one of the comment letters that they sent to Mayor Tumbleston regarding the proposed development.

Comment Letter - Rezoning of 755-Acres on Davison Road by Live 5 News on Scribd

Although Tuesday’s approval was unanimous, it was just the first reading. The second reading will be held at next week’s town council meeting.

We’ve reached out to the developer for comment and have not heard back at this time.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Cameran Eubanks and Thomas Ravenel are among the Southern Charm stars who have stepped away from the Bravo hit over the years.

Eubanks was part of the original cast of Southern Charm, which premiered in 2014. After six seasons, she shocked fans in May 2020 when she announced her departure. That same month, Eubanks shut down claims that she left due to her husband, Jason Wimberly, being unfaithful.

“It has come to my attention that insidious rumors are now spreading and fake articles are being written … some of which pertain to my marriage,” she wrote via Instagram at the time, sharing that leaving Southern Charm was partly to “protect what is sacred” to her and that “some things aren’t worth a big paycheck.”

Eubanks exclusively told Us Weekly in April 2022 that she has no plans to come back, explaining, “If I was to ever go back on television, it would have to be something boring that didn’t involve fighting or having to talk about people.”

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Scroll through for an update on the former Southern Charm stars:

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Cameran Eubanks, Thomas Ravenel and More ‘Southern Charm' Stars Who Left the Series: Where Are They Now?

Cameran Eubanks and Thomas Ravenel are among the Southern Charm stars who have stepped away from the Bravo hit over the years. Eubanks was part of the original cast of Southern Charm, which premiered in 2014. After six seasons, she shocked fans in May 2020 when she announced her departure. That same month, Eubanks shut down claims that she left due to her husband, Jason Wimberly, being unfaithful. “It has come to my attention that insidious rumors are now spreading and fake articles are being written … some of which pertain to my marriage,” she wrote via Instagram at the time, sharing that leaving Southern Charm was partly to “protect what is sacred” to her and that “some things aren’t worth a big paycheck.” Eubanks exclusively told Us Weekly in April 2022 that she has no plans to come back, explaining, “If I was to ever go back on television, it would have to be something boring that didn’t involve fighting or having to talk about people.” Scroll through for an update on the former Southern Charm stars:

Credit: Courtesy Cameran Eubanks/Instagram

Cameran Eubanks

Eubanks starred on the Bravo series for six seasons before her May 2020 exit. Since then, the Real World: San Diego alum has released her first book, One Day You’ll Thank Me, in February 2021. Eubanks also continues to gush over daughter Palmer, who was born in 2017.

Thomas Ravenel

In May 2018, two women accused the former politician of sexual assault, including his kids’ former nanny. Ravenel, who shares two children with ex Kathryn Dennis, was arrested in September 2018 for the alleged assault, which he denied.

Ravenel pled guilty to third-degree assault and battery in connection to the attack on the nanny. He paid a $500 fine and donated $80,000 to a sexual assault survivors' charity.

After being fired from the show, Ravenel chose to keep a low profile on social media. He welcomed son Jonathan with Heather Mascoe in June 2020.

Credit: David Buchan/Shutterstock

Landon Clements

Clements appeared on the reality series for three seasons before calling it quits in 2017. After her exit, Clements moved to Los Angeles to become a real estate advisor. She has used her social media to highlight her various vacations and her reunions with Southern Charm cast members such as Shep Rose.

Credit: Courtesy of Chelsea Meissner/Instagram

Chelsea Meissner

Following her split from Austen Kroll, Meissner appeared as a main cast member during seasons 5 and 6. Since her departure, the former Bravo personality has documented her travels on social media and stayed in touch with several of her Southern Charm cast members.

Meissner made a small return to reality TV alongside former Survivor costar Kim Spradlin-Wolfe in HGTV's Why the Heck Did I Buy This House? in April 2022.

In April 2023, she announced that she was pregnant with her first child. "You just never know what God has in store for you," Meissner captioned a video of ultrasound pictures via Instagram, revealing she was due that September. Though she didn't reveal the identity if her child's father, she did tease that she is "lucky to have one hell of a man!"

Meissner confirmed her little one’s arrival in October 2023, revealing via her Instagram Story on October 19 that she was “one month postpartum.”

Credit: Courtesy of Eliza Limehouse/Instagram

Eliza Limehouse

Limehouse retired from reality TV after two seasons on Southern Charm. The jewelry designer got engaged to Mark McBride Jr in February 2020. After exchanging vows later that year, the pair announced that they were expecting their first child. Limehouse welcomed their son in December 2020.

The South Carolina native is also the owner of Snaffle Bit Bracelet Company and candle company Private Label by PCC.

Credit: Courtesy of Jenna King/Instagram

Jenna King

After her short stint on Southern Charm, King left Charleston and moved to Los Angeles. The former reality star, who has preferred to stay low key on social media, last offered a glimpse at her life in August 2021.

Credit: Courtesy of Ashley Jacobs/Instagram

Ashley Jacobs

Following her split from Ravenel, Jacobs started dating Mike Appel in 2019. The duo tied the knot in March 2021 and welcomed son Grayson later that year. Jacobs currently lives in California with her family.

Credit: Courtesy of Kathryn Dennis/Instagram

Kathryn Dennis

OG cast member Dennis announced her exit from the series after eight seasons in January 2023, calling her time on Bravo a “wild ride” in a statement. “Can you believe I was 21 when I first started filming Southern Charm, back in its first season? That was in 2013, and in the decade that followed, it’s safe to say my life changed in ways I could never imagine,” she added. “It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m so lucky to have had reality cameras there, capturing so many moments that I’ll never forget (and a few, even, that I’d like to).”

The day of her exit announcement, Dennis — who continues to coparent with Ravenel — hinted at a new beginning via Instagram. “In order to rise from its own ashes, a phoenix first must burn. – Octavia Butler,” she captioned a photo of herself holding a drink.

Credit: Courtesy of Danni Baird/Instagram

Danni Baird

Baird made her Southern Charm debut on season 1 as a friend of the main group. She continued to appear more frequently from season 2 through season 7 before exiting the series in 2021. Following her departure, Baird has continued to work in Charleston, South Carolina, as an artist. In October 2023, she announced via Instagram that she’s pregnant with her first baby. She also publicly shared the identity of her partner, Nicholas Volz, for the first time in the post.

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