MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Myrtle Beach City Council cleared two big development items this week, giving final approval to an ordinance tied to the Wavegarden surf park and first approval to alleyway transfers for a proposed $90 million Margaritaville resort.
On Wavegarden, council passed on second and final reading an ordinance that places the future surf park site beside Broadway at the Beach inside Horry County multi-county business park. The step supports how the city will pay for its piece, a contribution capped at $20 million that council had already backed with an incentive agreement.
The city has now finished its part. The business park agreement itself still has to clear two readings by Horry County Council before it takes effect. If the county says no, Myrtle Beach would have to find another way to pay for its share.
The Margaritaville plan would replace the former Chesterfield Inn. The design has a hotel with 296 rooms set on the second row. Oceanfront, it adds a pool complex featuring a lazy river and waterslides, joined to the hotel by a pedestrian bridge. Also planned are a boardwalk link, structured parking and a wedding-focused conference center.
Council gave initial approval to the alleyway transfers the developer says are needed to finalize building permits, which are pending. Council takes its final vote on those transfers next Tuesday. The developer hopes to break ground in early December, with construction lasting about two years and an opening targeted for the first quarter of 2029.
The resort is not meant to be guests-only. Jason Nicholson of the development team said the space would open to the public through a day-pass system when occupancy allows, and the project is expected to create hundreds of jobs.
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