Locals call for Free Parking Meeting At Longbeards September 27th. 6 p.m.
City Planning Questioned. Mayor Says City Never Planned For Carolina Forest.
“The City of Myrtle Beach never planned for the growth of Carolina Forest, ” Mayor Rhodes told locals at a recent town hall forum.
Locals are upset about a $300 annual fee Mayor Rhodes suggests all county residents should pay the DRC (Downtown Redevelopment Corporation) to park in the Golden Mile.
A meeting has been called by locals for tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 27th at Longbeards Bar & Grill. Longbeards is located at 5040 Carolina Forest Blvd in Myrtle Beach.
The planning meeting will address steps area residents believe are necessary to address the city’s position on paid parking in the Golden Mile section of Myrtle Beach.
Residents from Aynor, Loris, Conway, Socastee, Green Sea, Longs, Little River, and Murrells Inlet believe the parking should remain free as it has for centuries.
The DRC is a not for profit organization. It is fully funded by Myrtle Beach parking fees.
Residents are unclear how the parking monies are being spent. City merchants say the downtown areas are being neglected by the city
Karon Mitchell of Myrtle Beach said she plans on attending the September 27th meeting. Other local city business owners have told us they plan to attend as well.
Carolina Forest alone has 40,000 local residents. City merchants are confused as to why Mayor Rhodes, Wayne Gray, Randal Wallace, and Mike Lowder would want to alienate these local customers.
The county pays the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce over $6 million annually in ATAX dollars to promote the area. County residents are considering what return on investment they are getting from the city of Myrtle Beach.
Locals are also questioning this city government’s ability to plan, as by the city’s own admission, elected leaders of this city never planned for Carolina Forest.
