As host to nearly 14 million visitors per year, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is one of the most popular tourists destinations in the U.S. Developers have sought to capitalize on that tourist trade by building new attractions such as Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, performance theaters, Ripley’s Aquarium, and more than 100 golf courses. Amenities have been constructed to the north, south and west, but not in the downtown, leaving it to decline as fewer and fewer people visit the city center.

To remedy the situation, the city and the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation designed a plan to stop the decline and return the downtown to the focal center of Myrtle Beach. The centerpiece of the plan is a $16 million, 1.2-mile raised wooden boardwalk along the oceanfront between 2nd and 14th Avenues North.

Central section of boardwalk

Three different sections are planned. The center section, running from Plyler Park to the former Pavilion Amusement Park site at Eighth Avenue North, will be the widest section and will feature oceanfront dining, shops, and businesses. Both the northern and southern portions will be traditional narrow boardwalks through the natural environment, connecting to beach accesses. The South Promenade will also have an oceanfront park.

Northern section of boardwalk

Southern section of boardwalk with oceanfront park

The project broke ground on September 9, 2009 and is expected to be completed by spring of 2010, in time for the spring tourist season.

Renderings courtesy of the City of Myrtle Beach

Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels