MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – A consulting firm is starting to finalize a master plan for the future of city’s downtown.

Main Street between Broadway Street and Kings Highway could become a much more pedestrian-friendly area if U.S. Highway 501 is realigned. The 501 project isn’t part of the downtown master plan, but it certainly would fit right into its goals. 

Consulting firm Benchmark Planning is creating a strategy for how to change the look of downtown Myrtle Beach.

“We don’t want this to be (city) council’s revitalization,” said mayor Brenda Bethune. “We don’t want it to be Benchmark’s. It really needs to be what works for everyone in the city of Myrtle Beach.”

The downtown master plan focuses on four sections of the city: the Broadway section, also called “Historic Main Street,” the Kings Highway corridor, the oceanfront, and an arts district, which goes across the other three.

Several projects in the arts district would bring new cultural attractions within the city’s historic buildings and add more walkable areas for residents and tourists to enjoy.

“This is where they came with their parents,” said Lauren Clever, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Corporation. “They came to get haircuts. They came to go to the grocery store, came to the pharmacy, whatever it might be. That has some emotional attachment to some of these folks that are looking at this.”

The medians on Kings Highway could see public art to give it a unique identity.

The master plan also highlights areas for future tourist destinations like near 14th Avenue North.

“You still have some big opportunities out there on land that’s fairly easy to assemble to make a big move in the tourism market, whatever that is,” said Dan Douglas of Benchmark Planning.

The plan also calls for the MBDRC to create a group of business and city leaders called a business improvement district.

“They agree to tax themselves a small bit to provide the additional services that are needed,” Douglas said.

Benchmark also gathered more public input at Wednesday’s open house and interactive presentation.

The finalized version of the master plan is expected to be presented to city council next month.