What's Happening in Myrtle Beach, SC…

The Myrtle Beach downtown area known as the Superblock could be home to a performance venue of the Coastal Carolina University (CCU).

University representatives have said they are interested in developing an arts center in the area. Several potential projects, including a library and a children’s museum, have been proposed for the Superblock in the past, but nothing has yet been approved.

University officials are excited about the possibility of moving from its current space, which is on 79th Avenue, to an area closer to the city's downtown. However, CCU's dean and VP for academic outreach, Dan Ennis, said he knows the university will not be able to acquire any property without receiving approval from both the state and the board, so he envisions a lot of conversations taking place before any construction begins. However, he also believes that it's important to bring CCU performances to Myrtle Beach, seeing it as part of the university's mission.

John Pedersen, the city manager, noted that neither side has firmly committed to the project, but the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation (DRC) will begin searching for an architect to develop an estimate of the cost of the renovation. If everything goes well for CCU, a new performance space could be open by 2019. The university also hopes to have the building named a historic structure.

Ongoing projects are important to many people, so officials could work with a newsletter printing company to create a letter for residents providing accurate information as events unfold.