Myrtle Beach will take down temporary barricades from Ocean Boulevard

Myrtle Beach will begin removing temporary barricades on parts of Ocean Boulevard on Wednesday morning, City Manager John Pedersen said.

Pedersen made the announcement Tuesday afternoon, shortly after Police Chief Amy Prock said law enforcement had determined it was appropriate to take them down.

“Our recommendation to the management staff is to continue this program through the placement of a permanent structure that is more aesthetically pleasing,” Prock said.

The city has been studying barricades and railings in areas like Gatlinburg and Nashville, where the barriers are more incorporated with landscaping.

Pedersen also said he intends to work with stakeholders downtown as the city determines what kind of barricades to use and where. The barriers currently run from 17th Avenue South to 7th Avenue North; from 8th to 9th Avenues North; and from 12th to 16th Avenues North

In areas where there are not barricades, Pedersen said, “People are just jaywalking right and left … even with kids in tow.”

Myrtle Beach put the barricades in place after a shooting on Ocean Boulevard sent six to the hospital and was viewed millions of times in a video on Facebook. Officials said the barriers were intended to stop pedestrians from mingling with vehicle traffic, but some businesses have grown weary of what they call a reminder of the shooting.

Pedersen also said that the city will study whether it should widen the sidewalks downtown, to which Councilman Phil Render said, “That’s a plan we’d like to see.”

This story was originally published July 25, 2017 at 2:22 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach will take down temporary barricades from Ocean Boulevard."