The College of Charleston’s proposed dormitory construction on Coming Street has reignited tensions over sacred burial grounds, as community advocates and historians challenge the university’s archaeological assessments.

The controversy centers on a plot near the intersection of Coming and Bull streets, where CofC plans to build a 400-bed residence hall. Historical records suggest the site may contain unmarked graves from the 19th century, when the area served as a burial ground for Charleston’s African American community.

“This isn’t just about development — it’s about respecting the ancestors who built this city,” said Dr. Amelia Washington, a historian with the Avery Research Center. “Charleston has a pattern of building over Black history, and we can’t let that continue.”

The college maintains that ground-penetrating radar and initial archaeological surveys found no evidence of human remains. University officials point to state approval from the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology as validation of their findings.

“We’ve followed all required protocols and conducted extensive research,” CofC spokesperson Jennifer Mitchell said. “The evidence simply doesn’t support claims of burial sites in this location.”

However, community members question the thoroughness of those surveys. The Coalition for Sacred Sites, formed last year to address similar disputes across the Lowcountry, has called for additional testing using more advanced archaeological methods.

The group cites historical maps from the 1880s showing the area designated as “colored cemetery,” though official records were often incomplete for African American burial grounds during that era. Similar discoveries have emerged at other Charleston development sites, including the 2013 findings at Gaillard Center and ongoing disputes over the planned International African American Museum expansion.

Charleston City Council member Robert Mitchell, whose district includes the proposed site, has requested a public hearing before construction begins. The college’s timeline calls for groundbreaking this fall, with the dormitory opening by 2027.

“Students need housing, but we also need to honor our history,” Mitchell said. “There has to be a way to do both responsibly.”