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SULLIVAN'S ISLAND — A newly formed development group plans to invest more than $30 million to acquire and renovate a 90-year-old, vacant private oceanfront club on this seaside enclave.

But elected officials want more details before signing off on allowing a commercial project in a residential area.

Sullivan's Island Bathing Co. is asking the town to allow a members-only social venture called the Ocean Club at 1735 Atlantic Ave. as a conditional use in an area zoned for single-family homes.

Shep Davis, the development firm's managing partner, pointed out last week that the property operated as a private club for close to a century without being open to island residents.

Under this latest proposal, they'll have that option for the first time — at a cost of a $60,000 sign-up fee and an estimated $500 in monthly dues.

The property had been known for decades as the Sand Dunes Club. It was a private beachside retreat for employees of the former South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., which Dominion Energy acquired in early 2019 after the V.C. Summer nuclear plant debacle 18 months earlier.

The Richmond, Va.-based utility closed the property at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, and it never reopened, according to attorney Brian Hellman, a Sullivan's resident who is representing the development group.

Built in 1933 for $14,000, the then 5,400-square-foot structure was called Jasper Hall, an officer's club for military personnel stationed at nearby Fort Moultrie. SCE&G acquired it in the 1950s and expanded it over the years to just under 10,000 square feet.

Davis said the property has not been properly kept up for several years and is in disrepair.

One neighbor recently complained of the uncovered pool starting to smell and becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Hellman and Davis said the pool is being maintained.

$30 million-plus

Davis estimated it will take an investment of "in excess of $30 million" for his group to buy the property, overhaul the building and amenities and place a stormwater retention pond underground. Retrofitting the pool alone, he said could cost half a million dollars.

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Improvement plans include offering separate pools for families and adults, upgrading the existing building and landscaping the parking area. The developers also would add a fitness center, dining terrace and gazebo along with a new entry area off a beach access path.

"We can preserve the building and re-create the club for its historical use," Davis said.

Hellman said the current proposal comes after gathering input during several meetings with residents and town leaders over the past few months.

He said the private-membership venue will provide a place for homeowners to eat and exercise without having to drive off the island or jockey for tables with tourists at the restaurants in the town's small business district.

"It will be a gathering place to socialize that won't compete with beachgoers," Hellman said. "Dining will not be open to the general public and will reduce the need for residents to leave the island."

The 3.5-acre club site is owned by a company affiliated with Charleston real estate investor John Derbyshire, the former owner of the chain of Money Man Pawn shops. The firm paid Dominion $16.2 million for the property in 2022, according to Charleston County land records.

A large house is being built for Derbyshire, who plans to remain a partner in the project, on part of the property next to the club, according to Hellman.

Members matters

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The developer said the goal is that the Ocean Club will be open to all Sullivan's residents who want to join. Davis estimated the venture will need at least 400 members to get the project off the ground.

The proposed Ocean Club would give priority to individuals and families who primarily reside on the island, said Jim Wanless, one of the partners. Off-island residents could join, too.

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The proposed parking rules to allow a social club in a residential area require at least one parking space for every 10 memberships whose primary or secondary residences are within 2½ miles. Sixty percent of those spaces must be designated for golf carts and low-speed vehicles.

For members living outside the 2½-mile range, which is basically anyone who doesn't live on Sullivan's, one vehicle parking space would be required for every five memberships.

The rules also would require one bicycle space — through a rack or corral — for every 20 memberships.

"For whatever the number will be of those living off the island, they most certainly would come by car," Davis said. "On-island residents would have much less need for parking" since they'd have the option to come by golf cart, bike or foot.

Tentative plans call for 50 car parking spaces, at least an equal number of golf cart spaces and "adequate" bicycle parking spaces, Hellman said.

Though the membership will be open to all island residents, the developers don't expect everyone to join. They also have not set a cap on membership.

"We are trying to come up with the right number of members for the club without excluding property owners," Davis said.

Talking to the town

During a public workshop last week, where a standing-room-only crowd spilled into the hallway, the developers addressed a list of written questions from elected officials, including the benefit to the town if the club is allowed.

Davis said, under the current zoning, the property could be sold for residential development that would allow three to five homes that could be taxed at the 4 percent rate if they are primary residences. If the club use is allowed, the developers will pay the 6 percent commercial property tax as well as licensing and permit fees.

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The developers also said they won't allow corporate memberships or agreements with hotels to provide dining or other services. In addition, no reciprocal-use deals with other private clubs are planned.

The projected hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday for interior services, with the earliest morning hours set aside for fitness activities. The club would be open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Outdoor activities would be allowed 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day except until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Some island residents see the idea as another amenity for Sullivan's while others are concerned about increased traffic and noise a club would bring to a residential area.

In letters to the town, supporters pointed to the property's long history as a site for dining, fitness, sports, recreation and cultural, educational and social events. They said those uses should continue to be allowed.

Others said they're against the rezoning to allow a restaurant or for it to become a for-profit entity.

Town Council is expected to discuss the issue further and take public input during its meeting Aug. 15. Mayor Patrick O'Neil cautioned the developers not to expect a quick decision.

"This council proceeds pretty deliberately," he said.

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Reach Warren L. Wise at wwise@postandcourier.com. Follow him on Twitter @warrenlancewise.

SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — People across the nation made a splash along the coast this new year.

Here in the Lowcountry, Dunleavy's Pub on Sullivan's Island hosted its 29th annual New Year's Day Polar Plunge. Plungers dove into 2024 and in the process, helped raise nearly $17,000 for South Carolina Special Olympics.

Read more: Murray-mania: Bill Murray look-alikes dive into Folly Beach for annual polar plunge

"This is one of my favorite parts," Special Olympics athlete Kylie MacFarland said. "I mean, everybody's donating, everybody's helping out and, and Sue's been here all helping out, so it's been a great day today."

It was a cold way to ring in the new year, all with a special cause in mind. The streets of Sullivan's Island were packed with polar plungers ready to make that big splash.

"It was like I expected," Emma Grace Funderburk said. "Very cold, but then once I got further out and just the longer I stayed in there, the better it got."

Dunleavy's Pub has been pairing with Special Olympics South Carolina since 2003. All fundraising from the annual New Year's Day event goes directly to the organization, allowing them to support the state's over 30,000 athletes.

"It goes directly for athletes like Kylie to participate, to pay for their uniforms, to pay for their transportation, their lodging, facilities, everything that goes on for them," Executive Director for Special Olympics South Carolina Sue Maner said.

The group sold t-shirts and hats, or people could choose to sponsor athletes ahead of their upcoming seasons.

For some locals, this Sullivan's Island Polar Plunge is a tradition they can't pass up.

Read more: MPPD's Polar Plunge scheduled for Feb. 18 at the Windjammer

"My husband and I think this was year 15 and this was our girls first time," Cameron Liebetrau said.

For others, 2024 was year one, but most likely, not the last time they hit the beach on the first of the year.

"This was a good start," Jason Phillips said. "Doing something we hadn't ever done and them getting ready to go back to school, so you know, what better way to do it."

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – It’s a popular tradition that many participate in right here along the South Carolina coast – braving the cold ocean temperatures for a quick dip (and we mean quick) to welcome the new year.

One of the first polar bear plunges dates back to the early 1900s when the L Street Brownies in Boston took the plunge into the icy cold Dorchester Bay in 1904. The club has been celebrating the new year with a plunge ever since, according to NationalToday.com.

While many take the dip for fun, some plunge into freezing waters to raise funds for charities. It’s also believed the dips boost the immune system, activate endorphins, and reduce stress.

Dunleavy’s Pub on Sullivan’s Island organizes its polar bear plunge each year in support of Special Olympics of South Carolina. The organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in myriad Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Plungers will gather on the beach for the pub’s 29^th annual polar plunge at 2:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Dunleavy’s Pub is located at 2213 Middle Street on Sullivans Island.

Over on Seabrook Island, plungers will gather for the town’s polar bear plunge at North Beach near Boardwalk 1 at 10:30 a.m. Attendees can then warm up near a bonfire while sipping on some hot chocolate.

Finally, Folly Beach will host its 10th annual Bill Murray Look-a-like Polar Plunge on the beach New Year’s Day. Hundreds of people attend the Polar Plunge each year, many of whom come dressed as their favorite Bill Murray characters.

There is a costume contest that starts at 12:30 p.m., and the plunge takes place at 1:30 p.m. beachside at the Tides Hotel.

Ocean temperatures are currently at about 56 degrees in Charleston Harbor. The temperature along the beaches is expected to be around 58 degrees under a mostly sunny sky on Jan. 1

SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, SC (WCIV) — A young man is being called a hero.

The Charleston County Coroner reported that 23-year-old Elijah Giddiens drowned off Sullivan's Island last weekend. In an exclusive interview with News 4, Giddiens' girlfriend, Angelika Rusin, explains that the heroic effort in an attempt to save others is a testament to his character.

"He was extremely selfless, very smart, the smartest person I’ve ever met in my entire life, super ambitious, very loving," Rusin said.

Giddiens was selfless. And that is what Rusin remembers most.

"He had a dream about buying a house and having a family," she said. "He wanted a big family, and he was a big family person."

She said they went to Sullivan's Island last Saturday for a relaxing day at the beach.

"Eli and I loved being in the water," Rusin said. "We could be in the water for hours just goofing around and having fun, and that’s what we were doing."

That time in the ocean quickly turned into a nightmare.

"We were in the water, and we heard a girl scream for help," Rusin said. "She wasn’t really far from us. She was literally right there. We both didn’t hesitate, and I went to help her, and he followed me. She got really dizzy and couldn’t move, so I told her to grab my waist, and he was right beside us.

"When I took her out to the shallow area, where she was good to start walking out the water, I turned around, and he was still there."

That's when she said Elijah went underwater.

"I heard him scream for help twice," she said. "There was a guy with a board, so I grabbed the board for him, and I tried to come back for Elijah. But after he screamed for help twice, he disappeared underwater, and the current took him. Eli was a good swimmer, and he was very smart, like I said. He would have never put him at risk, put his life at risk or my life at risk or anybody’s life at risk.

"He wanted to help as many people as he could. And he would never ask for help. That’s what I wish for every single day that he would have just said something to me that he couldn’t swim or he was struggling or just something so that I could help him too."

Giddiens' body was recovered Monday. Now, Rusin is trying to hold on to the good times and his smile that brightened her days.

"Everything I do from now on is for him. He was a hero. Not even just in that situation, but in his life he was a hero. He cared about everybody around him."

Every nightfall, a rotating light pulsates around Sullivan’s Island twice every 30 seconds. The luminous source is the Charleston Light, also referred to as the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, which has stood watch over the cozy beach town for more than six decades.

When the pillar of light was first lit on June 15, 1962, it was recorded as the last major lighthouse in the United States built by the federal government. It was also the second brightest lighthouse in the Western Hemisphere, according to Fort Moultrie National Historical Park guide Shelby McAllister.

The Charleston Light was erected to replace the defunct Morris Island Light, which was rebuilt in the 1870s after being destroyed in the Civil War. The lighthouse was at risk of being destroyed again by erosion and was later decommissioned.

Standing at 162.5 feet tall, approaching vessels in the Charleston Harbor could see the flash of the Charleston Light’s 28-million candlepower beam from more than 50 miles offshore. Five years after its construction, its wattage was reduced to 1.2-million candlepower, but it is still visible more than 25 miles away.

Its bright light wasn’t the only thing that caught people’s eyes. Many residents felt the original red and white color scheme was an eyesore. As the sun bleached the red to orange, it was decided that a paint job was in order. Black and white was the popular choice, so the Charleston Light received a makeover.

Sixty-one years later, the mid-century monolithic structure serves as more of a nautical landmark than a navigational aid, but its maritime history is not lost at sea. It was a fixture of the U.S. Coast Guard Historic District that includes buildings dating back to 1894.

When the Coast Guard automated the lighthouse in 1975, it no longer needed a keeper. In 2008, the Coast Guard relinquished ownership to the National Park Service.

THE MAN BEHIND THE LIGHT

Architect Jack Graham’s creation was not only the last of its kind, but it was also one of a kind. His vision for the lighthouse lit up in his mind when he was a 25-year-old graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture and a serviceman in the Coast Guard.

In Graham’s last month of active duty, a supervisor gave him a final assignment of designing a lighthouse. The Coast Guard was displeased with the previous drawings that made it resemble a World War I battleship signal tower. By the time Graham was finished, it looked like an air traffic control tower.

Unlike typical circular lighthouses, Graham’s design was triangular with steel girders for the framework and aluminum alloy for siding. He credited his modernist approach and design to his college professor Louis Kahn, an influential modern architect in the post-World War II era known for his monumental and brutalist style.

In September 1989, Graham’s work would be put to the test when Hurricane Hugo lashed the island as a Category 5. The lighthouse’s design was intended to withstand winds up to 125 miles per hour. Hugo brought winds of 160 miles per hour, and the lighthouse never faltered.

In 2009, on Graham’s 75th birthday, he was able to view his creation from the top as he rode in the elevator for the first time. He wasn’t aware that his design was used for the lighthouse until three years after it was built, when he was flipping through a boating magazine.

The lighthouse became eligible to be listed on the National Register as part of the structures in the Coast Guard Historic District in 2012. That same year marked the structure’s 50th anniversary, during which Graham was recognized for the first time with an official ceremony and a historical marker on site.

Before Graham’s passing in June 2022, his wife Martha, who lives in Maryland, wrote “The Charleston Light and The Adventures of Scoops the Seagull.” The children’s book is about the lighthouse, which her beloved husband nicknamed “Sulli.”

Graham’s story lives on in the annals of history and is rekindled every time the sun sinks down past the horizon on Sullivan’s Island. That’s when the lighthouse and Graham’s legacy truly come to life.

Today, the lighthouse stands as one of the most technologically advanced for its time. It is the only lighthouse in America that has both an elevator and air conditioning, according to McAllister.

Due to ongoing problems with the elevator, there are no plans to open the lighthouse to the public. Of the 15 historic lighthouses in the state, none are currently open to the public due mainly to structural issues, she noted.

“This is history that is slowly disappearing, but not many people realize that,” McAllister added.

The National Park Service celebrates National Lighthouse Day every August by opening the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse grounds to the public. The last time the lighthouse was open for tours was 2018.

By Zach Giroux

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