MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)- Myrtle Beach City Council approved its downtown master plan Tuesday.
The city hired consulting firm Benchmark to put the plan together, which took six months and cost $90,000.
Tuesday marks Myrtle Beach’s 81st birthday. Mayor Brenda Bethune said this shows where they came from, and where the city is going next. She also expects this plan to revitalize downtown to move quickly
The plan brings in a number of changes to the downtown area including realigning the city’s traffic grid to help with congestion and build safe pedestrian and bike paths.
The downtown master plan focuses on four sections of the city: the Broadway section, also called “Historic Main Street,” the Kings Highway corridor, the oceanfront, and an arts district, which goes across the other three.
Several projects in the arts district would bring new cultural attractions within the city’s historic buildings and add more walkable areas. City council is most excited about that development
“It’s going to be vital for the revitalization for the heart of our city and not only for our residents, but our visitors,” said Mayor Bethune.
Council approved an implementation plan to create action steps to put the plan in place.
Council plans to use tax incentives like opportunity zones and historical tax credits for these projects.
They also said this is very much a working blue print and things can change.