Issue 37, June 30, 1997
Over the course of the past month, the South Carolina legislature has approved a plan for much-needed highway construction in the state, and the governor has signed it. The bill calls for local government funding as well as state funds, and since the Grand Strand already has an accommodations tax in place to fund its share, the Myrtle Beach area will be first in line for new projects. Construction on the Conway Bypass is expected to begin within weeks. It will be four lanes from US 17 to SC 90, then two lanes to US 501. Also to be included is a scaled-back version of the Carolina Bays Parkway from SC 9 at Cherry Grove to 62nd Avenue North in Myrtle Beach, giving North Myrtle Beach a needed bypass route, and a widening of SC 544 to five lanes.
The Governor came to Myrtle Beach to sign the bill. For years the state has under-represented the needs of the Grand Strand, since the number of permanent residents is lower than other parts of the state, but with Myrtle Beach now the second most popular tourist destination on the east coast, and the second fastest growing metro area in the U.S., the state has finally begun to recognize its importance. The Chamber of Commerce has been lobbying vigorously lately as well for the area's interests.
Meanwhile the federal government is instituting a program to fund transportation projects. South Carolina will initially get $3 million.
Baseball will be coming to Myrtle Beach next year. In a deal that at one point looked completely dead, the city, county, and ownership of the Durham Bulls minor league team have worked out the details for a move to the Grand Strand. Initially the city and county were to split the $10 million public cost of building a new stadium. The city agreed but the county balked. A change was made where the city pays 70 percent and the county 30. Team ownership will pay about $2 million. The new stadium will be across from Broadway at the Beach; Burroughs and Chapin swapped the land for another property. League officials have also approved the move. Durham will be getting a AAA team, which will retain the name 'Bulls'. The Atlanta Braves affiliated team moving to Myrtle Beach will temporarily be called the Myrtle Beach Braves, and will need a temporary site for next year's play; the stadium will be complete by July 1998.
Barefoot Landing now has a fireworks display each Monday night at 10:30, matching Broadway at the Beach's Tuesday night fireworks at 10. Fourth of July fireworks will be featured this week along the strand, including a Thursday night show at 9:30 at Doug Shaw Stadium on Oak Street and 33rd Avenue North, and the Murrells Inlet Boat Parade on the 4th.
In further fallout from the Black Biker weekend on Memorial Day and the problems that ensued, a Myrtle Beach hotel owner has begun a petition drive to demand very strict law enforcement during that weekend next year. The owner of the Days Inn points out that a similar crackdown on law breaking at Easter weekend in North Myrtle Beach several years ago resulted in college students no longer congregating there. A past president of the Myrtle Beach NAACP chapter has also said there is no need to tolerate law breaking. Only one-third as many extra police forces were on call during Black Biker weekend as were available during the predominantly white Harley weekend, which was relatively incident-free. This will change next year.
Rumors have been circulating around town that some black bikers were planning a return on Labor Day, but motel reservations so far do not bear this out.
The city's police force his instituted a four man Safe Streets Task Force, which will patrol the central Myrtle Beach hotel and amusement district on Ocean Boulevard from 3rd Avenue South to 21st Avenue North. They will be on the lookout for teenage runaways and petty street criminals.
Several years ago an ordinance was passed requiring beachwear shops to provide a written estimate before any custom t-shirt work is done. Some shops had been ripping off customers by advertising free decals, then charging a huge 'decal application' fee. Apparently some shops are still doing this, and not providing written estimates. If any shop does not provide a written estimate ahead of time, they can be fined $304. Do not let anyone intimidate you into buying anything you do not approve of.
Ripley's Aquarium has opened at Broadway at the Beach. The company had to drop the 'Sea' from its name, due to a lawsuit from Miami's Seaquarium. The Ripley's attraction features a moving pathway through a tunnel; you are surrounded by the sea life of Dangerous Reef. Sting rays, coral, and a rain forest are also present, as are interactive exhibits and two restaurants. Open 9 to (approximately) 10:30 daily. $13 adults, $7 children. Call 800-734-8888 or 803-916-0888.
Debuting July 4th will be the newest show on the strand, From Nashville to Broadway, at Fantasy Harbour (in the building formerly housing Ronnie Milsap's show). Country, popular, big band, and Broadway music will be performed by 23 resident entertainers. Call 803-236-8500.
The beach renourishment project has resumed in central Myrtle Beach. Bad weather has pushed back the completion date to September.
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