Former Surfside Beach water park could find new life as a business hub

A defunct Surfside Beach water park initially targeted for residential development is now poised to become a business anchor for the town.

Wild Water and Wheels owner Mark Lazarus wants town leaders to rezone his 15-acre property along U.S. Highway 17 from its amusement park designation to a flexible commercial district.

On Aug. 1, the town’s planning commission recommended that council members approve the change, which could happen later this month.

The move comes after public outcry over a proposal to put 300 homes on the site led to those plans being withdrawn.

“We’ve heard everybody loud and clear that you don’t want housing along Highway 17, and that’s fine,” Lazarus said.

Lazarus, whose Lazarus Entertainment Group ran the park for more than three decades, said he has a deal in place for construction of a convenience store and gas station pending approval from the town.

Resident Maureen Breen said the recent closure of local businesses with similar uses made her wonder about what other options could be available.

“In view of the fact that we’ve had a couple of gas stations go out of business, we’ve had a car wash that’s gone out of business, I would like to know why he thinks he’s going to be able to run a municipal gas station and car wash with any success,” she said.

In December, the town’s planning commission recommended denial of a rezoning application allowing the mothballed venue to become a mixed-use venture with more than 300 homes.

In a heavily attended meeting, dozens of residents expressed concerns over declining property values, traffic snarls and school overcrowding if the project be allowed to move forward.

Lazarus closed Wild Water and Wheels in October 2022 after a 32-year run.

The land has a market value of nearly $4.4 million, according to county land records.