CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) -The long-awaited Ashley Landing development project received key approval Wednesday night. After years of the Sumar Street lot sitting empty, Charleston city leaders voted to approve their plan for the space at the center of Sumar Street, Old Towne Road, and Sam Rittenberg Boulevard. "It provides a gateway into West Ashley which is a critical part of the city of Charleston," said Charleston Mayor William Cogswell. Mayor Cogswell presented to the council a never-before-seen rendering of the space's plan. He highlighted the West Ashley community's overwhelming support for the plan before the council unanimously approved moving forward. "It's taking approximately 35 acres and redeveloping the Ashley Landings site in its entirety. It includes lot of local and national retail, incredible amounts of park and open space, and stormwater retention that is long overdue," said Mayor Cogswell. The mayor acted on behalf of the city to execute a development agreement between the entities so the project could move forward. The city will be investing $44 million into the project. "There's been a lot of thought that has gone into it. I think it's a plan that will bring the community together rather than being a divisive plan that we've seen in the past. I'm very excited about and obviously fully support it," said Cogswell. The plan will go through a second reading at city council in October for final approval.