NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The city is looking to buy some historic, undeveloped land near the shore known as the Ingram Dunes.
A developer’s plans for more than 30 homes on that land are in doubt. The city of North Myrtle Beach is now trying to buy it, but will need help from the people who want to save Ingram Dunes.
One group trying to do that is called Preserve Ingram Dunes.
“There’s not a lot of green space left here in our city,” said Brittany Callahan with Preserve Ingram Dunes.
The group says it doesn’t want the more than nine acres of sandy trails and woods to be developed.
“I think it’s a really beautiful escape from the beach,” Callahan said. “It has tons of trees and shade. It’s just a place of real beauty and solitude.”
The property the dunes are on is between Strand and Hillside avenues. It’s privately owned by the Ingram family. Hillside Developments has tried to buy the property and build 31 single-family houses there.
North Myrtle Beach city spokesperson Pat Dowling says the city isn’t stopping the developer from moving forward, but city officials are talking to the land’s realtor about buying the dunes.
The city council could spend up to $500,000 on purchasing the property.
“We should know within a couple of weeks, if not sooner, whether or not we can make that real offer,” Dowling said. “If we make it and are able to, then we’ll begin fundraising at a high level.”
Dowling also says the city has 90 days or less to get a deal in place. The city created the Ingram Dunes Preservation Fund to raise donations.
The fund helps groups like Preserve Ingram Dunes, which only has a GoFundMe page.
“Now that the city is accepting donations, we have somewhere to tell people to put their money and it’s in a safe place, in safe hands,” Callahan said. “It’s also a tax write-off.”
Dowling also says the city would not use eminent domain to try and acquire Ingram Dunes.
The city isn’t saying how much the land would cost, but Preserve Ingram Dunes estimates it could cost $4 million.
