NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The City of North Myrtle Beach plans to hire a parking consultant to help create short and long-term parking solutions.
Until those solutions are created, no parking is permitted in the median along Ocean Boulevard as in years past. Workers with the city installed signs in the median Wednesday instructing drivers “no parking” is allowed in the grassy area.
Some people who live along the road filed a lawsuit to stop beachgoers from parking the median. The lawsuit was dismissed last week, but the city says it’s looking for a better solution for residents and those searching for a space to park.
During the tourism season on North Myrtle Beach, the population swells from 15,000 to 100,000 people a day. The city says it needs someone to address parking issues, which is why a consultant will be hired.
City officials say the consultant will get input from the community and will assess the benefits of free or paid parking. Those who live in the city, say paid parking could offer more than a solution to those who need a parking space.
“You go all the way around Florida all up the coast and all the way into New England, everyone does paid parking. The nice thing about paid parking is it creates revenue for the city,” says Daniel Cariogga, who lives along Ocean Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach.
North Myrtle Beach leaders say the cost to buy more land for parking or a parking garage is $30 million. The short-term plans developed by the consultant will be implemented next summer.
