Five questions with Eric A. Pohlman
Back in July Mayor John Tecklenburg introduced us to Eric A. Pohlman, the new West Ashley Project Coordinator for the City of Charleston. He comes to the City’s Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability Department with experience in community design, architecture, and planning. He is an urban and community designer that has worked in Tampa at the Florida Center for Community Design and Research, Berkeley County government as a Planner, and most recently at the Town of Mount Pleasant as a Senior Planner.
As West Ashley Project Coordinator, Pohlman will interact with residents, businesses, and neighborhood groups to develop community engagement initiatives. He will also be leading implementation of Plan West Ashley and other various special projects of the City in West Ashley.
The West Of Free Press recently had a chance to catch up with the very busy Pohlman and welcome him to West Ashley. He took a few minutes to answer some of our questions and allowed us to help introduce him to our readers. Here is what he had to say:
West Of Free Press: Having been on the job for two months now, what is your impression of West Ashley?
Eric A. Pohlman: West Ashley is a phenomenal area with a population that is civically active, enthusiastic about their future, and caring towards each other. The West Ashley area is one that is rich with history, with the 350th year of the founding of Charles Towne coming up in two years. It also has an amazing entrepreneurial spirit with so many local businesses that are opening, and of course, the unique charm of each residential neighborhood.
WOFP: What specific skills or experience do you feel like you bring to the job that will be beneficial to the people of West Ashley?
EP: I have training in urban design and architecture, along with experience working in both Mount Pleasant and Berkeley County governments as an urban planner. My expertise lies in understanding the design ramification from ordinances and in how to relay complex information that we gather to the public.
WOFP What are some of the projects you’re currently working on in West Ashley?
EP: Currently, we are working on the 166 implementation strategies outlined in Plan West Ashley. Some of them are within the scope of the Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability Department, but many require working with other departments or organizations. Much of what I am doing now is background work to set up those partnerships. In the future, we will be looking into zoning ordinance alterations, pursuing grants, street improvements, drainage facility improvements, and more.
WOFP: From a City planning position, what do you see as the most pressing concerns facing West Ashley?
EP: I see the that the four priorities that Mayor Tecklenburg stated in 2018 State of the City as being the most pressing concerns. The priorities of addressing flooding and drainage, traffic and transportation, affordable housing, and public safety of course pertain to the whole of the City, but Plan West Ashley has implementation strategies for all four of those. In conjunction with the West Ashley Revitalization Commission we are working diligently to address these priorities.
WOFP: What are some of your favorite things about West Ashley (can be anything – places to eat, shop, things to do, etc.)?
EP: I love the atmosphere of West Ashley and the variety of businesses and environments that you can come across. From the historic Avondale area to the revamped Ashley Landing, the commercial side of West Ashley is amazing. A few of my favorite places to go include Frothy Beard, Angel Oak Restaurant, Wild Flour, and all of the Avondale spots. I need to get out to some of the greener parts of West Ashley — one of my goals is to bike the Greenway when it is a little cooler out. I am also very excited for Wine Down Wednesdays at the new Old Towne Creek County Park.