Increased tourism during summer vacation season in Myrtle Beach has prompted Mayor John Rhodes to propose closing a section of Ocean Blvd in the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk section of the beach.
The mayor said Wednesday allowing room for more pedestrians on the section of Ocean Boulevard from Seventh Avenue North to Mr. Joe White from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. would encourage those people to go into the shops instead of drive past them.
Rhodes said the idea stems from what is done in the French Quarter in New Orleans, where Bourbon Street and surrounding roads are open during the day to allow deliveries to restaurants and shops, but closed at night to allow pedestrians to easily walk around.
While the Oceanfront Merchants Association is open to the idea, at lest one of its members oppose it.
If the Myrtle Beach Planning, Downtown Redevelopment Board Commission, and then City Council approves the measure, it be put into effect for the Summer Vacation Season. – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Source: Myrtle Beach Online