Rethink Folly Passes 2026 Work Plan

When I was elected Chair of the Rethink Folly Steering Committee, our first order of business was to develop a work plan for 2026. This week, the Committee approved the work plan. Now, we begin!

The work plan is about creating achievable, measurable goals. There are two key pieces to the plan:

📍Create a map to show constituents what work has been completed and identify the remaining work to be completed to have a safe, complete Folly Rd.

📋 Improve governance processes to enable this committee to run more efficiently to better deliver for constituents. 

Read the full plan below:

2026 Rethink Folly Road Steering Committee Meeting

Approved Work Plan

OBJECTIVES

• Create clear, actionable goals that can be achieved in 2026 by the Steering Committee.

• Propose increased efficiencies to Steering Committee governance in order to streamline and enhance work moving forward.

GOALS AND TIMELINE

Goal 1: Clearly show work completed, and work to be done.

• Develop a map of Folly Road that clearly shows where work has been done, and where future work is funded. This would include:

  • “Phase 1” Improvements (funded, designed, permitted, back out for bids);

  • SC DOT Road Safety Audit improvements (funded);

  • Multi-Use Path segments and other improvements installed via zoning overlay requirements;

  • Other existing infrastructure identified in the Rethink Folly plan.

• As a result of that map, develop scope of “Phase 2,” and advocate for funding in the potential 2026 Transportation Sales Tax (TST) extension.

• As a result of that map, prioritize CARTA bus stop improvement locations.

• Timeline:

  • May 13:

    • Map presented

  • July 8:

    • “Phase 2" project scope identified

    • CARTA bus stop priorities identified

  • Sept 9:

    • Host required annual State of the Plan public information meeting on the map, the Steering Committee’s identified priorities, and how it connects to a potential TST extension.

Goal 2: Streamline meetings to create efficiencies.

• Streamline Committee governance by examining:

  • Current committee structure, including current representatives and other additions;

  • Frequency of meetings; and

  • Adding a virtual component.

• Update Chair elections to be held the last meeting of the year.

• Codify the development of a ‘work plan’ to be delivered during the first meeting of each year.

• Determine balance of in-person vs. virtual meeting options.

• Create a clear communications process, including interactions and updates between the ReThink Folly Rd website, and corresponding pages on the webpages of the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG), City of Charleston, City of Folly Beach, Charleston County, Charleston Moves, Town of James Island and other representative organizations serving on the Steering Committee.

• Establish regular agenda items moving forward, including municipal government reports on any updates or projects proposed within the Folly Road Zoning Overlay to ensure that the overlay is followed.  

• Timeline:

  • May 13:

    • Present governance proposals

  • July 8:

    • Codify updated governance proposals and amendments.

  • Nov. 18:

    • Chair Elections and Work Plan input for 2027

Goal 3: Increase Steering Committee member engagement.

• Increase Committee engagement by:

  • Requiring a certain threshold of attendance at Committee meetings.

    • *Operating agreement states we must meet six times a year as a full committee and host an annual State of the Plan meeting.

  • Re-examining the number of meetings required to be held each year.

  • Appointing new members to represent Charleston County, James Island Public Service District (JIPSD) and SCDOT to ensure ongoing participation if needed.

Goal 4: Set program management support.

• Set program management support to move forward the day-to-day activities and initiatives of Rethink Folly Road, either through local staff or outside sources. Duties could include:

  • Preparation and follow-up for meetings (i.e. sending out agendas, taking minute meetings, distributing meeting minutes, etc.).

  • Administrative tasks (i.e. setting up Zoom).

  • Regular website updates.

  • Development of any planning/design concepts.

  • Facilitation of public engagement.

  • Creation/distribution of marketing and promotional materials.

Goal 5: Achieve ongoing maintenance policy goal identified in Rethink Folly plan.

• Achieve implementation of the policy goal identified in Rethink Folly to initiate regular street sweeping, cleaning of drains, gutters and bike lanes, and trimming back vegetation:

  • Coordinate with SCDOT’s maintenance contractors.

  • Provide follow-up to ensure SCDOT is completing the task annually.

  • Develop formal, written policy and contract with SCDOT in perpetuity.