MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The Myrtle Beach City Council gave initial approval to bring back free parking in key downtown areas during the off-season.
The new amendment would eliminate parking fees between 21st Avenue North and 6th Avenue South from Oct. 1 through Feb. 28 each year.
Currently, visitors and residents must pay for parking at all meters and city-owned lots throughout the year.
“I think it’s good for the vacationers, I think it’s good for the locals who want to come like now and not have to put money into the meters,” said Barbara Kaczorowski, a Myrtle Beach resident.
The first reading passed after extensive debate among council members.
Council also discussed a decal program that would allow full-time city employees to park throughout the downtown area year-round without paying fees.
That was almost voted down, but the majority of the council wanted to keep that in.
As part of broader parking solutions, the city also wants to enter an agreement with First Methodist Church along 9th Avenue on a 60+ space parking lot.
The agreement, as written, shows the city would share 40 spaces with the church, and 20 spaces would be reserved for church functions.
The cost of this is an estimated $300,000. If approved, the city would make a one-time investment of $150,000.
This item also passed first reading.
Both items are expected to be on the next agenda in two weeks, for a second and final reading and vote.
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