The Market Common in Myrtle Beach announced the addition of a children’s museum and the city’s public information officer says there are still “lots of options” for the Superblock area.
The Market Common announced on Monday in a press release that EdVenture will join the shopping center’s list of businesses in early 2019. EdVenture previously merged with the Children’s Museum of South Carolina, which was once located in Myrtle Beach.
WBTW News13 asked Mark Kruea, Myrtle Beach’s public information officer, if this announcement could mean that EdVenture is no longer coming to the Superblock.
“To my knowledge, no definitive answer exists at this time. Council continues to look at the Superblock, and the city is in the midst of the downtown study. More should be clear once that is complete in February, but budgeting for any projects must then occur,” Kruea said in a statement to News13. “It’s possible, I guess, that EdVenture will find a permanent home at The Market Common. Again, it’s too early to know all of that.”
We also asked Kruea where the children’s museum and library project for the Superblock area stands.
“In addition to the performing arts option, I believe the Superblock is still a potential site for a new library, but no decision has been made, either yes or no,” he said. “Lots of options on the table, but we have a long way to go before financing and any final decision is in place.”
The debate over the possible addition of a museum, and other businesses, in Myrtle Beach’s Superblock area began in January 2017, when the city announced that the Superblock area would essentially be torn down to make way for a rebuild of Chapin Memorial Library and The Children’s Museum of South Carolina.
Some business owners in the area refused to sell their properties to the city, sparking controversy over the use of eminent domain.
In February 2017, the city approved the use of eminent domain for two remaining Superblock properties. According to the city’s meeting agenda, the motion allowed Myrtle Beach city officials “to take the necessary legal actions to acquire properties located at 505 9th Avenue North and 801 North Kings Highway, by the use of eminent domain.” City Manager John Pedersen said offers were made on the two locations, but because the price wasn’t right, officials looked to use eminent domain.
In a December 2017 city council meeting, city officials said eminent domain had not yet been used despite previous approval. The city then began asking for the public’s input on what community members would like to see happen to the Superblock area.
In January, the city’s mayor, Brenda Bethune, and council members discussed plans for the Superblock area. After nearly a year of controversy over eminent domain, Bethune said it was time to put people’s minds at ease by getting rid of it.