Why SCDOT wants to eminent domain land in downtown Myrtle Beach for Ride III? What to know
The issue is money, and one of the largest government agencies in South Carolina will soon be in a Horry County court to determine the value of land it claims is important to road infrastructure work in Myrtle Beach.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation seeks eminent domain for a small tract of land near the Myrtle Beach oceanfront, with a jury trial beginning Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.
The department wants a 0.12-acre plot of land at the intersection of Maple Street and North Oak Street, near Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf at 707 North Kings Highway.
The agency filed the condemnation notice with Horry County Court records in March 2023. The trial will determine how much to pay the property owner for the tract.
One Heart LLC owns the 0.12-acre plot, which SCDOT values the land at $117,230. Meanwhile, One Heart LLC’s appraisal reports the land is worth $450,000.
One Heart LLC bought the land from Wells Fargo Bank in 2015 for $100,000. Horry County Land Records shows that the bank previously purchased the property for more than $2.4 million in 2011.
Lawyers for both parties either did not return a request for comment before publication or declined to provide one to The Sun News. A spokesperson for SCDOT also declined to comment and wrote in an email that the agency “does not offer commentary on matters related to pending litigation.”
The South Carolina Secretary of State’s website lists Timothy Wilkes as One Heart LLC’s registered agent, but he did not return a request for comment before publication.
The department wants the small property as part of Horry County’s efforts to improve its road infrastructure.
SCDOT stated in a pre-trial filing that it needed the land for the Ride III project, which involves realigning parts of U.S. 501 and adding sidewalks while improving the 7th Avenue intersection between Oak Street and North Kings Highway.
Horry County’s Ride III dashboard shows the plan to realign U.S. 501 from Broadway Street to 7th Avenue. The project could cost $13.9 million and conclude in the fall of 2026.
