MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – A group of merchants along Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach have teamed up with the city to improve the downtown area.

This past March, Larry Bond, President of Bondfire Restaurant Group and owner of ART Burger-Sushi-Bar, Gordo’s Tacos and Tequila, The Chemist, and Noizy Oyster, created the ‘Oceanwalk Task Force’ comprised of several other downtown business owners. Together, they created a 90 day plan for the city.

The plan included a list of items, including visual and environmental changes that the Oceanwalk Task Force says would help make the area safer.

“We’re all working together to try to create a better downtown,” Bond said.

Now that the 90 days are up, some changes to the area are underway.

So far, the group has found a use for the empty, Pavilion lot by planning a family-friendly event called ‘Boardwalk Bonanza.’

The Oceanwalk Task Force has posted 91 inspirational graphics along the sidewalks and have begun hanging lighting banners along the lamp posts.

“It’s (called) safety through environmental design; it’s a way to improve the area to make our guests feel safer and more welcome,” Bond said.

In addition, the group has issued 1,000 information lanyards containing a list of important city contacts for all of the local businesses to wear.

“We thought if we had some type of uniform, or something that said that they were actually employees; with over 500 employees on the Boulevard, it would make a big impact. We felt like our guests would feel safer seeing that there are so many staff members there,” Bond said.

The task force still has a long list of ‘to-do’ items, like painting interactive murals, hanging additional lighting banners, and creating a liaison between the community and police, however, according to Bond, funding is their biggest hindrance.

“All of our projects are ready to go; the problem is funding,” Bond said. “We have to find the money to make these projects happen.”

Bond says the task force is currently working with other local businesses to gather the funds needed to begin the projects.