SURFSIDE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The town is trying to figure out what types of businesses should be near Surfside’s planned $10 million pier.
Some residents say town leaders should be careful when designing a proposed “entertainment district.”
“If anyone wants to be a city mouse, go up to (Myrtle Beach),” said Al Kelley of Surfside Beach. “They need all the help they can get. Leave Surfside as it is.”
Some residents who spoke at Tuesday’s town council meeting said they don’t want the town to rush the so-called “e-district,” which would go on about seven acres of the downtown oceanfront.
“This is changing our whole community, not to be pro or against it,” said Harry Coleman of Surfside. “It takes time to do it.”
The e-district would be between Surfside Drive, First Avenue South and Dogwood Drive South.
The goal is to make the area near Surfside’s pier more walkable and add restaurants or other smaller businesses for tourists.
“The way they go down to (Pawleys Island) for interesting gifts and places to go eat, the way they go to Murrells Inlet to eat, we want them to come here and find a little mix of all of that,” said Katherine Price of Surfside Beach. “The thing that really makes us unique as a town for people to come and stay is that family atmosphere.”
Surfside’s town council did not vote on the e-district Tuesday because the planning commission must recommend it to council first. The planning commission didn’t offer a recommendation after a meeting Monday.
Council members said they want to stop rumors of an e-district allowing a parking garage or buildings taller than 55 feet.
“We’re not going to build any high-rises here and I don’t think anybody on this entire council will say, ‘I want a high-rise,'” said town council member Randle Stevens.
Surfside’s council also says the e-district isn’t being rushed.
“That pier was knocked down over two years ago,” said town council member Ron Ott. “We’re still planning.”
The town says the planning commission will hold a public hearing about the e-district next month.
