News Summary
The Coral Sands Motel in Myrtle Beach is set for demolition due to ongoing safety concerns following multiple fire incidents. The city confirmed the scheduled demolition after a recent two-alarm fire at the vacant property. City officials are addressing the risks posed by abandoned properties, aiming to improve community safety. The property’s owner will eventually cover the demolition costs, as the community looks forward to revitalization efforts following the removal of this long-neglected site.
Myrtle Beach, S.C. – The Coral Sands Motel, a once-popular tourist destination, is set for demolition following a series of structural issues and repeated fire incidents. The city confirmed that the demolition is scheduled for Thursday, a decision that had been finalized before a recent overnight fire occurred at the vacant property.
On Wednesday, at approximately 3 a.m., the Myrtle Beach Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire at the motel, which is currently unoccupied. Fire crews faced challenges due to the dilapidated state of the structures, heightening concerns over safety for first responders and the potential for the blaze to spread. Firefighters managed to contain the fire without it reaching nearby buildings, with no injuries reported. The cause of this most recent fire remains under investigation.
The motel has a troubling history, with previous fire incidents reported in April 2022 and twice in 2019, raising ongoing safety concerns. In 2021, following investigations into illegal activities associated with the property, including drug trafficking, the Myrtle Beach Police Department classified the motel as a “haven for drug traffickers and users.” In light of these findings, the city council voted in favor of demolishing Coral Sands.
While the city will initially absorb the costs associated with the demolition, the property owner, Rainmaker Holdings LLC, will be required to reimburse the city later. The property was last sold on September 5, 2024, and has been on the market since 2023 for $5.25 million, offered as a package deal with a neighboring hotel, the Sea Gypsy.
City officials have emphasized the importance of addressing the safety hazards posed by abandoned and poorly maintained properties like the Coral Sands Motel. Firefighters employed drone surveillance during the latest fire response to better assess the structure and its surroundings, illustrating the lengths to which emergency services are going to ensure public safety.
The decision to proceed with demolition comes as a part of broader efforts by Myrtle Beach authorities to enhance community safety and eliminate properties that pose risks due to neglect and illegal activities. As the city prepares for the demolition, residents and local businesses look forward to the removal of this blighted site, hoping it will pave the way for new developments that can benefit the area.
In summary, the impending demolition of the Coral Sands Motel reflects ongoing challenges faced by Myrtle Beach in managing properties that have become liabilities. The city’s proactive approach in addressing the motel’s poor condition and associated safety concerns highlights the importance of maintaining community standards and safety for residents and visitors alike.
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Additional Resources
- Myrtle Beach Online: Coral Sands Motel Demolition
- Wikipedia: Coral Sands Motel
- WMBF News: 2 Alarm Fire Response
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach Coral Sands Motel
- WYFF 4: Myrtle Beach Iconic Spots Demolition
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Myrtle Beach
- WPDE: Myrtle Beach Restaurant Fire and Demolition
- Google News: Myrtle Beach Demolition
- Myrtle Beach Online: Community Safety Efforts
- Google Scholar: Myrtle Beach Demolition Property Safety
- WMBF News: Motel Demolition for More Parking
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
