Mead/Westvaco: The East Edisto Project

November 27th, 2007: Chris Kerrigan introduced Ken Seegar, the head of Mead/Westvaco’s Land Management, who is responsible for the East Edisto Project we have heard so much about. Ken gave us an overview of the efforts by Mead/Westvaco to make the East Edisto Project a “model of land use” for the community that respects the culture and provides what the community needs. He began by sharing the background and history of Westvaco here in the Low Country where it has had a presence since the 1920s. In 1937, Westvaco built the Charleston Mill. That presence continues today with the East Edisto Project, which represents less than 10 percent of Mead/Westvaco’s land assets.

According to Seegar, it is very important for Westvaco to continue to be a good corporate citizen of the Low Country. They’ve embraced the concept of sustainability. It began with their partnership and involvement with the ACE basin. Their focus and effort on being a responsible citizen this year resulted in their being named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which recognized their accomplishments.

Mead/Westvaco Land Management has 800,000 acres in five states and currently has 400,000 of those acres in Charleston and South Carolina areas. They are moving in a new direction because, at the merger of Mead and Westvaco, they had over 4 million acres under Management. The reason for this change is, according to Seegar, that there are more effective ownership models for land. The South Carolina land under their Management is used for fiber sources, construction, recreation, commercial, and industrial, and is in a Master Planning for entire communities. Currently, they are developing a warehouse to support the Port of Charleston.

The most visible of their activities is the East Edisto Project, which contains 72,000 acres or 112,000 square miles. There’s never been a tract of land this large developed in the Charleston area and it is in the direct path of Charleston’s growth.

According to Seeger, the benefit of single ownership of this tract is that they can create a Master Plan without constraints by natural barriers or competing owners. Today the East Edisto Project contains roads, wetlands, conservation areas, and even special places such as the homestead of the family that founded Summerville.

They’re working to develop a conservation inspired Master Plan with a long-term view of 10, 20, and 30 years that focuses on a village concept where people work, live, and play. The object is to create a sustainable community, preserve the rural character of the area, address traffic concerns, provide for the infrastructure, and excel in its development based on the criteria set forth by the Urban Land Institute and also South Carolina statutes. The goal is “green development.”

Currently, they are working to gather input from the community and from a series of planning partners. They’ve had 10 public meetings where 850 people attended and gave feedback. In January, there will be a preliminary plan developed. Seegar said it is important that they hear from everyone as part of their planning process. It seems as though it has the potential to be a model project and become a jewel in the crown of the Low Country.

Reported by Wayne Outlaw, Keyway Committee