NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The city of North Myrtle Beach will help attempt to preserve the historic Ingram Dunes by fundraising, Mayor Marilyn Hatley announced at Monday night’s council meeting.
Hillside Developments proposed building 31 single-family homes on the nine acres of land between Hillside Avenue and Strand Avenue.
The South Carolina Environmental Law Project, while describing the land, said, “these ancient relic dunes reach 50 feet above means sea level and represent the last sliver of natural open space within the dense City limits of North Myrtle Beach.”
Dozens of people have publicly protested development of the land.
Mayor Hatley said Monday the city would like the land to be preserved, but the city doesn’t have enough money to do that.
The city announced the Ingram Dunes Preservation Fund, Hatley said, to allow people to donate to the effort. People can bring checks to city hall.
Hatley said the city can’t donate more than $500,000. City council hasn’t voted on whether to donate any money.
The total cost of preserving the land wasn’t announced, but people who’ve been fighting to save the land estimated preservation would cost about $5 million. Hatley said the city manager has been given permission to enter into negotiations with the owners of the land to figure out a way to buy and preserve it.
