The Opinion Blog

Sandy Island Ferry Fix

Wednesday's lead editorial praises Georgetown leaders for their continued efforts to create a ferry service for Sandy Island residents.

Expanded Sandy Island ferry boat service seems a small step closer, and more than one option remains in play.

Downtown + boardwalk = ?

A pretty sizable crowd attended the groundbreaking ceremony this morning for Myrtle Beach's boardwalk, which will be built over the off-season and is planned to open in time for next summer.

The ceremony was brief, but the crowd was enthusiastic. Some were clearly there scoping angles for the upcoming City Council elections, but others appeared genuinely interested in learning about the project's design. A table set up with architect's renderings, for example, drew a long line.

Clearly, tourist attractions around the Grand Strand have become much more geographically diffuse in a relatively short period of time, possibly to the detriment of downtown. Soon after the demolition of the Pavilion, the area saw the rise of the Market Common to the south and the Freestyle Music Park just inland, and plenty more examples abound. 

The mile-long, $6 million boardwalk, then, is hoped to be a major shot in the arm for an area that has otherwise been somewhat neglected in recent years. Will it work? What will downtown look like in years to come?

Home-Court Advantage?

Thursday's editorial notes the strong showing the Grand Strand's tourism industry received during this weekend's Republican Caucus meeting, but laments that the Port of Georgetown was overlooked.

Perhaps it was the venue, but during the S.C. House of Representatives' Republican caucus meeting in Myrtle Beach this weekend, it seemed no regional voice was louder than that of the Grand Strand.

Accord on the Avenue

Friday's editorial commends the city of Myrtle Beach for finding a transportation solution that pleases south-end residents.

A long-running feud between the city of Myrtle Beach and some of its south-end residents appears to have come to a peaceful resolution this month with the announcement that a planned upgrade of Third Avenue South will be, in parts, smaller than expected.

New Lanes in I-73 effort

Sunday's editorial praises yet another idea to hasten the creation of Interstate 73.

Although state ports were the main focus of last week's Regional Growth Summit at Coastal Carolina University, a conversation between state Rep. Alan Clemmons and Horry County Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland revealed another promising strategy to make Interstate 73 a reality.

Steady course in stormy seas

Saturday's editorial suggests that if the port of Georgetown is to recover from its present dire straits, it will require a tremendous local effort to do so.

Circumstances may seem close to engulfing the port of Georgetown, but all hope is not yet lost.

Stimulus buys more than food

Wednesday's editorial further explores the impact of the federal stimulus bill on the Grand Strand.

An unexpected additional $106,000 from the federal stimulus bill will help area residents perhaps turning for the first time to a variety of nonprofits with paying rent and utility bills.

S.C. Ports Seriously Need Help

Wednesday's editorial exhorts the new leadership of the state port system to give Georgetown's troubled port serious attention.

South Carolina has a new law to help the ailing ports at Charleston and Georgetown and a new chief executive for the S.C. State Ports Authority.

Healthy start to stimulus

Wednesday's editorial examines positive local signs related to the Obama administration's $787 billion economic stimulus bill.

Recent days have produced a flurry of reports about the effectiveness of the vaunted "first 100 days" of the Obama administration's $787 billion stimulus package, and most early indications appear positive.

More bright spots for transit

Thursday's editorial highlights positive developments for both I-73 and The Coast RTA.

It has been a rough couple of months for proponents of area transportation projects, but two of our most important endeavors - the proposed Interstate 73 project and The Coast RTA bus system - may finally be seeing some good news.