MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – More than 100 people came together Tuesday night to speak out against plans Myrtle Beach city leaders are making for new parking plans along what people call the “Ocean Mile” portion of Ocean Boulevard.
People who live in the area say during the summer months, the four lane road becomes a two lanes because people park on either side of the boulevard to go to the beach.
Residents say their biggest concern is for safety, both safety for people pulling in and out of their driveways and for pedestrians crossing the street to get to the beach.
William Bellamy says he’s lived along the “Golden Mile” all his life, and since he can remember, parking has been a problem.
“It only gets worse as the summer goes on…it just…you know people, people, people everywhere,” said Bellamy.
Now, because of safety concerns, city leaders are making plans that would make the road two lanes with paid parking spots on one side of the street, bicycle paths on either side of the road, and cross walks at every intersection.
“To fix a problem, it’s going to cost money one way or another. We think in the grand scope of things that this is about the least expensive alternative we could come up with,” said City Manager John Pedersen.
But for a plan community members say they don’t agree with, they say they don’t want to fund the $53,000 project with their tax money.
“They can provide that, but not at our expense. You know, the perfect example is Myrtle Square Mall. If they could purchase that and put some sort of tremendous parking lot there and bus people to the beach. Not a thing wrong with people coming to the beach, it’s what it’s here for, but don’t make it inconvenience me,” said Bellamy.
As it stands now, the plan would allow Myrtle Beach residents to park for free and people who live in Horry County to park at a reduced rate.
The city manager says none of these plans are final. Concerns from Tuesday night’s meeting will now be taken to council in April to help city leaders come up with a plan.
