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City of Charleston Extends Outdoor Dining For Another Year

The City of Charleston recently voted to approve the extension of outdoor dining through January of 2022.

Charleston City Council approved the new ordinance, which allows restaurants to expand their outdoor dining areas onto private and public property. The tourism and hospitality industry has certainly been hit hard by the pandemic so officials are hoping this provides some aid to restaurants and restaurant workers as they navigate this difficult time.

This move comes in the wake of a push from some South Carolina lawmakers to get restaurant workers vaccinated as soon as possible.

South Carolina Representative JA Moore introduced a concurrent resolution to “intensify efforts to restore the state’s hospitality industry by prioritizing hospitality workers in COVID-19 testing and including hospitality workers in Phase 1A of this state’s vaccine distribution plan.”

As a former hospitality worker himself, Moore explained the need to vaccinate restaurant workers saying, “We have so many men and women in our industry who have been risking their lives to feed people in South Carolina, so I think it’s important we protect them.”

Currently, restaurant workers are in Phase 1C of the vaccination rollout plan.

New In Charleston

College of Charleston Hopes To Redesign One of Their Buildings

While the College of Charleston along with many other college campuses are without people, improvements are taking place. The CofC staff and faculty have used this time to continue to maintain the historic buildings. As this year approaches, the College looks to renovate the Simons Center for the Arts as well as a revamping of McAlister Residence Hall.

Vice President of Facilities Management, John Morris, weighs in on the matter. “[TheCofC Staff] is doing all of this and also dealing with the personal anxieties we’re all dealing with. It’s a lot to juggle, and I know it’s not easy for them. I’m proud of their dedication and commitment during these challenging times,” Morris tells The College Today.

As COVID-19 continues to delay the reopening of schools, this opportunity to enhance the architecture and design of the school is being taken advantage of. With so many beautiful projects that have ensued, it’s likely CofC will be in its best shape once they choose to reopen. 

Along with the redesigning of the Simons Center and McAlister Dorms, the College is upkeeping all surrounding facilities. These renovations are keeping employees working and getting paid. Safety precautions have been put in place to keep CofC employees that have to be on campus safe. 

“Y’all are going to be amazed when you get back at some of the things that we’ve been doing – campus is looking beautiful,” says Milton Summers, Deputy Director of Central Energy at the College.