What changes would you like to occur in the Grand Strand?

[Rwarky]

What changes would you like to occur in the Grand Strand (e.g.: less sprawl, denser developments, a more diverse economy, better transit, etc.)?

[krazeeboi]

Definitely a diversified economy and a traditional sense of urbanity.

[monsoon]

I think the economy in the area is more diverse than what people commonly think given that the activity there never slows down now as it once did during the winter months.

One thing that I would like to see changed in Myrtle Beach is a better public transit system. At least on Ocean Blvd, there is extremely dense development when you consider rentals (daily and more long term) and this area could benefit greatly from an effective transit system. The other thing that could benefit the area greatly is the establishment of a small commuter rail line between Myrtle Beach and Conway. The tracks are already there, there is a station at the Myrtle Beach end, and the city spent a lot of money rennovating and reparing the train bridge over the Intercoastal.

A commuter train could potentially get a lot of people off Hwy 501 which is choking in traffic, and it could bring a revival to the part of Myrtle Beach that has seen much better days. A transit tax applied to the hotel rooms could easily generate the funding for such a system.

[Jerseyman4]

M.B is doing a great job improving its image and the city as a whole but i believe making public transportation a top priority would be a good start, starting in M.B . If it proves to show a lot of success, expand it up and down the grand strand, including Georgetown County.

[Noneck_08]

I would like to see more diversity in the economy also. Even if it's just some office parks lining 501 it would be a better situation for the area. I also would like the city to put some new restrictions in place to help stop so much sprawl and extend the urban Ocean Blvd. corridor more out. Alot of those big boxes could have been built in a urban manner but now lead to the mess on 501 now. Kings Hwy just goes stright suburban and there way to many Wings stores.

[GSP Tiger]

Myrtle Beach has done okay with denser development along the coast. I would like to see it infill existing areas instead of sparwling out into various coastal wetlands.

Great focus is needed in its transportation. Most streets are congested with traffic. Why not create a people-mover system? Was there an idea for this ten years ago?

[gs3]

Myrtle Beach has done okay with denser development along the coast. I would like to see it infill existing areas instead of sparwling out into various coastal wetlands.

Great focus is needed in its transportation. Most streets are congested with traffic. Why not create a people-mover system? Was there an idea for this ten years ago?

I agree with you. Myrtle Beach is the perfect SC city to get light rail....up and down the main strip....it's flat....it's dense with people from all the condos and hotels. Wonder if they would do light rail and run it seasonally, as the population densiy drops off sharply in winter. Vegas recently added their elevated rapid rail, and Myrtle Beach IMO is a mini Vegas.

[mcashlv]

How could they possibly build a rail infrastructure through densely developed beach areas? They would have to demolish hundreds of millions (maybe billions) of dollars worth of existing structures, not to mention acquiring the land and easements. Nevermind issues like eminent domain. Even an elevated rail would be impractical. The Las Vegas monorail has been a disaster, and it was privately financed by casinos. Myrtle Beach has almost nothing in common with Las Vegas, especially regarding available monies. The only thing that makes sense is bus service, which would be fairly easy to do, considering that almost all development is north-south.

I agree with you. Myrtle Beach is the perfect SC city to get light rail....up and down the main strip....it's flat....it's dense with people from all the condos and hotels. Wonder if they would do light rail and run it seasonally, as the population densiy drops off sharply in winter. Vegas recently added their elevated rapid rail, and Myrtle Beach IMO is a mini Vegas.

[Spartan]

Light rail is unique in that you don't need a separate ROW to operate it. It runs on the stree with traffic, so there is no need for excessive demolition.

[digital_sandlapper]

Where do I begin? I'll have to come back when I have more time . . this will take awhile!

The first thing: Myrtle Beach needs a government that's not a puppet for Burroughs & Chapin.

[digital_sandlapper]

Where do I begin? I'll have to come back when I have more time . . this will take awhile!

The first thing: Myrtle Beach needs a government that's not a puppet for Burroughs & Chapin.