MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The Myrtle Beach Police Department is planning to change the use of sidewalk barricades on Ocean Boulevard.
The road had barricades up last summer during special events to keep pedestrians on sidewalks, but now the city is discussing a more permanent option. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, Myrtle Beach police chief Amy Prock recommended the city install railings along Ocean Boulevard between 12th and Seventh Avenues North.
The police chief also suggested reducing traffic from four lanes to three on Ocean Boulevard between 14th and Ninth Avenues North. That would also call for extending sidewalks by five feet.
Myrtle Beach’s city manager says businesses didn’t like barricades put up last year after Father’s Day weekend violence.
“They thought (the barricades) sent the message that this wasn’t a welcoming place,” said city manager John Pedersen. “So our recommendation is not to put the bicycle barricades in like we did last year, but to upgrade and to make an investment in permanent, decorative railings that they have in many cities.”
The project would cost $1.1 million.
City council will decide on approving the plan on March 27.
