Wednesday, a consultant group presented findings that parts of Myrtle Beach create a perception of crime and change is needed if the city wants to redevelop their downtown.

The city invested $7,000 worth of research to Urban Land Institute to examine its downtown area.

“It’s not an inviting place people do not feel safe when they are walking through the area,” said Heather Foley.

Foley is the Executive Director of Urban Land Institute.

She says the dilapidated conditions south of 7th avenue North create a “perception of crime” which keeps businesses and tourists from the area.

And the old pavilion site is not helping the cause.

“With the absence of the pavilion there, 8th and 9th avenue have become empty some would say desolate because there is no draw to that area anymore,” said Chairman of the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation Chuck Martino.

However, Foley’s group presented several ideas Myrtle Beach can pursue to turn the area around.

“There’s a tremendous amount of opportunity given its location, proximity and access to the beach,” she said.

The group showed several artist renderings of what downtown Myrtle Beach could look like.

Martino says the city is taking a more active approach than in past years.

“What we’re looking at it as let’s look and see how we build a public infrastructure now and let’s find the developers that we want to make things happen,” he said.

He says the next step will be to sit down with city council and discuss possible funding options.