CHARLESTON, SC (WCBD) – The Charleston County School District is moving forward with plans to expand its Early College High School program with a new support building in the Eastside community of downtown Charleston. It would replace a former elementary school, the Wilmot J. Fraser campus, which has been closed for more than 10 years.

CCSD is moving forward with plans for a new support building at the Wilmot J. Fraser Building site, replacing the historic Eastside community school. Some community members living nearby say they support the district but have concerns about the building plans.

“As much as we love school, the more we learn about the map – the worse it is,” says Steve Bailey, a resident of Charleston’s Eastside.

Charleston County School District leaders hope to improve the district’s Early College High School program by replacing Wilmot J. Fraser Elementary with a new support building. Some residents say they are not happy with the plan.

“First of all, it’s a very historic school,” says Bailey. “A lot of people from this neighborhood have been to this school and the school district says they are going to demolish it. We have to understand why you have to tear it down.

The new building was approved by Charleston County voters in November 2020 using taxpayer dollars to fund construction. The new building would cover 60,000 square feet and cost just over $ 30 million. The Fraser Building has remained empty since it closed in 2009.

“We want to make sure that the Early College High School program has everything it needs to be the best possible school for the students who attend,” said Andrew Pruitt, director of communications for the school district.

The school district says the goal is to improve education and expand its early college program by providing better services to students and staff in the new building.

“A cafeteria where they can congregate, science labs, extra classrooms, half a gym, things other high school students in the neighborhood have,” says Pruitt.

District leaders plan to meet with members of the Eastside community Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. at Trident’s Palmer campus auditorium to present plans for the building and answer questions. Some living nearby feel they deserve a seat at the table when it comes to making the final plans.

“We want to make sure people understand the processes and if there’s something we need to consider please share it with us,” says Pruitt.

“Let’s build it right for Heaven’s sake,” Bailey says. “Let’s listen to the neighborhood. Let’s find a way for us to all be good neighbors together.

More information and design plans as well as a project update can be found on the Charleston County School District website here.