MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The city of Myrtle Beach has long looked to private investors to expand the board walk.
Its most recent expansion was three years ago. Now, a new project will expand the boardwalk again as part of new timeshare project being developed along Ocean Boulevard.
“I was going to head that way and see what I could find. If this boardwalk was here I would keep on going, but now I got to get back into the sand and trudge a little harder,” said Thomas Baker, a vacationer at the end of boardwalk.
Soon, Baker’s stroll along the boardwalk will get a little longer. A $67 million time share project has been approved where Driftwood Lodge currently sits.
“With the development they’re bringing the boardwalk where it ends now which is right around Banditos to 16th Avenue,” said Carol Coleman, director of planning for the city of Myrtle Beach
Coleman said Driftwood will be demolished as soon as this season. The boardwalk expansion will be over 300 feet in length and at ground level.
“They’re ready to go right now, I think that the client they’re working for has already had success and they can’t wait to get here and do some expansion,” said Coleman.
Plans for the new ocean front timeshare project also include a parking garage among other upgrades to the area.
“They’re making a lot of public improvements associated with it which includes improving the look and streetscape along 16th Avenue,” said Coleman.
It’s a plan visitors like Baker, can’t wait to see completed, “the further they go the better it’s going to be, it just promotes this great looking beach even better and better.”
Especially since it means more boardwalk to explore.
“It’s an empty space right here nobody can use it or walk on anything, and it is very relaxing to walk all along the boardwalk if it would last a little longer,” said vacationer Christine McCaffrey.
The city will pay to combine alleyways at 16th Avenue North, to create a new ocean side park with vistas that extend all the way up to Chapin Park.
No exact time-line has been put forward, but construction should start this summer.
