CCU gives thumbs up: Stage is set for a new theater in downtown Myrtle Beach

A Coastal Carolina University-owned cultural arts center is now one step closer to coming to downtown Myrtle Beach.

The CCU Board of Trustees met Thursday morning to discuss the details of entering an agreement with the City of Myrtle Beach. The board unanimously voted to move forward with the plan, allowing CCU President David DeCenzo to enter negotiations with the city.

Once finalized, the new cultural center will be housed in what is now three properties in the Superblock area of Myrtle Beach, along Highway 501 within the city limits.

Earlier in the week, the Myrtle Beach City Council met to discuss purchasing the property and what the lease agreement would be. The the Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Corporation met on Wednesday to execute the purchase.

Council decided to purchase the property, with the DRC chipping in $1 million. The city will go back for a separate vote on whether to spend $5.6 million on renovations. If the city moves forward with the renovations, they will take out a $5.1 million loan for the purchase.

“This is a really great thing for the community and it’s positive,” Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune said last week before the vote. “It’s a really great collaborative partnership and will really help with what we’re trying to do downtown and what our priorities are.”

The terms of the lease gives CCU free rent for the first 5 years, after which the university will pay $95,000 per month. Before moving in, however, the university is expected to move $400,000 of their own theater equipment from their current location on 79th Avenue North.

CCU expressed interest in the properties back in January. Once opened, the city will be able to host up to 30 productions per year, as long as they don’t conflict with other CCU performances.

Thursday afternoon, the City of Myrtle Beach presented potential renderings for the site, which will hold between 250 and 300 seats.

The renderings are not a final plan for the project, but show space for an art gallery and reception area, dressing rooms for performers and a rehearsal space.

A construction date has not been set at this time.

This story was originally published November 15, 2018 at 1:43 PM.