Myrtle Beach sues B&C over beach by Pavilion

A lawsuit over who has the right to hire lifeguards and sell concessions on the beach in front of the Myrtle Beach Pavilion arcade also could determine the future of redevelopment on the site.

The city’s Downtown Redevelopment Corp. wants to build an oceanfront boardwalk between Second and 14th avenues North. That includes part of the property adjacent to the Pavilion.

Pavilion owner Burroughs & Chapin Co. Inc. has said it will redevelop the site but hasn’t disclosed its plans.

Myrtle Beach wants a judge to declare the property east of 811 N. Ocean Blvd. a public beach, giving the city exclusive rights to contract with lifeguard services at the site.

Such a ruling also would help clear the way for the city to build a boardwalk and prevent B&C from claiming the beach as private property and including it in Pavilion redevelopment plans.

“The city is seeking to quiet the title on that piece of beach and preserve it for the public,” said city spokesman Mark Kruea.

Source: David Wren, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, SC