Grand Strand municipalities talk about future

After years of separation by geography, emotions, and two bike rallies that have divided the county, two local municipalities may be coming together.

Myrtle Beach city leaders are reaching out to Atlantic Beach leaders and asking, “What do you need and how can we help?”

Myrtle Beach city manager Tom Leath said he had a conference call Monday with his counterpart, Kenneth McIver, of Atlantic Beach.

Leath said the purpose of the conversation was to inform McIver about his previous discussions with former town manager, Charles Williams.

Williams was brought in last year by the state Municipal Association to help the town with its finances.

Leath said Atlantic Beach needs to a number of things, before redevelopment can begin.

"The zoning amendment rewrites, the comprehensive plan amendments, they have certain utility needs, or upgrades that need to be in place."

Leath said Myrtle Beach and the rest of the municipalities on the Grand Strand, including the county, need to work with Atlantic Beach. And he said the Memorial weekend bike fest has to be part of the conversation.

Leath said that rally is not good for the long term economic health of either municipality.

"There are a lot of people who make money during that rally, but that's the only time they make any money, they've go to be able to make money twelve months a year, we feel that this rally is going to hold them back."

John Sketers, who grew up in Atlantic Beach and is one of the founders of the Memorial Weekend bike fest, said the rally has outgrown Atlantic Beach and some of its original purpose.

"We're going to have to work with our neighbors and all of us is going to have to work together in this effort and come up with whatever's the best for the whole Grand Strand."

Sketers said the town stands out from the rest of the Grand Strand because it's stayed the same for decades.

"One of the reasons it’s remained the same is because we haven't redone much development as far as establish a greater tax base."

Sketers said one way to generate revenue may be to open up Ocean Boulevard; something he said should have been done a long time ago.

Sketers said the town and its residents would do well to get rid of the barrier, meant to keep blacks off the surrounding beaches during segregation, and take advantage of what being open may bring.

Sketers, a former town councilman, said the future of Atlantic Beach depends solely on the stability of government.

“If we have good stability in government and good plans, I think we’ll spur development," Sketers said.

Leath said opening up Ocean Boulevard was also something he talked about to McIver.

Leath said opening up the Boulevard may make the area more attractive to developers.

Leath said the next step will be for the managers of North Myrtle Beach, Atlantic Beach, Myrtle Beach, and Horry County to get together and come up with a road map for redevelopment for Atlantic Beach.

There is no word yet on an official meeting date.

Horry County Public Information Officer Lisa Bourcier said the county is open to listening to ideas about improving Atlantic Beach, but as far as she knows, there have not been any extensive conversations about the issue.

Atlantic Beach mayor Pro-tem Charlene Taylor, told News 13, “The Grand Strand is moving, everyone but us. If someone is going to reach out and help, then we’ll talk, but nothing is concrete.”

Leath said the city of Myrtle Beach does not want to take over Atlantic Beach or do things for them. He said the town has a unique history that should and can be saved.