Nationally Acclaimed Neighborhoods

North Charleston, SC, was chosen as one of eight cities to receive the Award for Municipal Excellence from the National League of Cities (NLC).  North Charleston was chosen as a Silver winner in the 50,001 to 150,000 population category for the Sustainable Urban Revitalization project.. 

The Sustainable Urban Revitalization project in North Charleston brought together public, private and non-governmental organizations to help revitalize the city impacted by the closure of the Charleston Naval Base. The project has rejuvenated the East Montague Business District, which includes the first LEED Platinum building in South Carolina; created the Oak Terrace Preserve, a green housing development; and several new public schools including the LEED-certified North Charleston Elementary School and Charleston County’s School for the Arts. North Charleston’s project has benefitted the community through increased economic development projects, new sustainable neighborhoods and the restoration of historic buildings and streetscapes.

The Awards for Municipal Excellence recognize city programs that improve the quality of life in local communities through creative collaboration, excellence in city government and best practices in municipal policy.

Read the award application packet.

The Home Depot® Foundation of Atlanta, GA announced that the City of North Charleston and its non-profit partner, The Sustainability Institute of South Carolina, have been named as winners of its 2009 Award of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development. North Charleston joins Minneapolis, MN, as one of only two winners nationally for this prestigious, first-ever honor. At the presentation, The Sustainability Institute of South Carolina was presented with a check for $75,000, as part of a grant to foster public education for sustainability in the Lowcountry.

This award follows a number of recent media honors, including Green Builder Magazine recognizing the City's Oak Terrace Preserve green residential neighborhood, and a listing as one of the nation's 'coolest neighborhoods' by Men's Journal. Closer to home, the Reader's Pick in the Charleston City Paper for "2009 Best New Development" was for the City's Oak Terrace Preserve green residential project.

The Foundation's award to the City of North Charleston was part of a stringent selection process, drawn from projects submitted by cities throughout the US. According to a statement released by the Foundation, the award recipients were selected based on a number of criteria, including comprehensive sustainability, environmental sustainability, and green infrastructure, as well as how well they met the needs of the local community while maintaining affordability for its residents.

According to the Foundation's statement, the award was based on the City's dedication to building a sustainable community in the aftermath of the closure of the Charleston Naval Base. The City-owned Oak Terrace Preserve green neighborhood is “a role model for successful completion of a sustainable community. Today, it exemplifies best practices in housing, natural resources and land use, and development."

Cottage Living Magazine Names North Charleston's Noisette Community as One of the Nation's Top 10 Neighborhoods
The national publication praises redevelopment efforts throughout the 3,000-acre master planned area, which is bringing pedestrian-friendly streets, sustainable building practices and new parks to the City of North Charleston.

Click Here to read the full press release from the City.

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