Myrtle Beach Gears Up for New Central Coast Complex in Carolina Forest!
Hey Myrtle Beach residents! We’ve got some exciting news that will surely stir up a mix of curiosity and chatter around town. Horry County is moving ahead with a new project that’ll reshape how some county offices operate, right in our backyard! Yep, you guessed it, we’re talking about the new Central Coast Complex that will be located on Hinson Drive in Carolina Forest.
So, here’s the scoop: out of four bids from construction contractors, Horry County officials decided to go with Cooper Tacia, a construction firm from Raleigh, North Carolina. They didn’t have the lowest bid but were chosen for a few reasons. Cooper Tacia’s bid came in at $15.6 million, which makes them the second cheapest offer after Tungsten, our very own local contractor from Myrtle Beach, who surprised many by submitting the lowest bid at $14.9 million.
You might be wondering, “Why did they choose an out-of-town company when we have local talent?” Well, it turns out that Tungsten’s bid was marked as “non-responsive.” This fancy term means that the bid didn’t meet all the requirements that the county specified in their invitation for bids. According to county spokespersons, Tungsten’s plans for temporary heating and cooling during the construction period didn’t cut it, and that was a big issue.
What This Means for Us
The Central Coast Complex will house a new police precinct, a magistrate office, and various other county offices. This is important for all of us! As our area grows, these services will help manage the increasing population. Even though it’s a bummer that a local contractor wasn’t awarded the job, there are still hopes that this project will benefit the community in the long run.
Now, Tungsten isn’t going down without a fight. They filed a protest claiming that they actually did meet the requirements and requested a hearing to discuss their bid further. But Horry County Administrator Steve Gosnell has stated that he did not think a hearing was necessary because, in his view, the council’s decision was spot-on. However, this has stirred up quite a bit of conversation!
The Fill Dirt Drama
Hold on, it gets even more interesting! There’s also a little drama brewing regarding fill dirt needs for the site. Carolina Utilities, the company involved in providing that fill dirt, has sued Cooper Tacia, claiming they are owed $352,000 for extra work that was necessary. It’s whiskey-tango-foxtrot—I mean, it adds a spanner in the works for this whole project!
Carolina Utilities’ owner Brandon Lawrence noted that he knew the county’s specs for fill dirt were incorrect, but when Tungsten pointed it out, the county didn’t budge. Lawrence’s comments and that pesky lawsuit have added more twists to this tale!
What’s Next?
So, what’s next for all of us proud Myrtle Beach folks? Horry County officials recently broke ground on this new office, and they’re optimistic it’ll cater to our ever-growing population. This means more jobs, more efficiency in county services, and hopefully, less hassle for us citizens. But wouldn’t it have been something if a local company snagged the deal?
It’s always a wild ride when it comes to county projects, and this one is proving to be no exception! As things progress, be sure to keep your ears to the ground and maybe even send some good vibes to both our local contractor and the new construction team. At the end of the day, we just want what’s best for our beautiful Myrtle Beach community!
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.
