Exciting Developments on the Horizon for Conway Residents!
Conway is buzzing with excitement as news breaks about a proposed major shopping center and hundreds of new homes potentially sprouting up right in the heart of one of Horry County’s fastest-growing communities. You heard it right! The chatter has been heating up between a developer and city officials, and it seems like big changes might be on the way.
New Shopping Center on the Block
Just across from the Carolina Forest Walmart, there are talks of a shopping center that could be more than just your average retail hub. The developer, a Florida-based company called Impeccable Development, is eyeing a prime location near the intersection of Gardner Lacy Road and U.S. Highway 501. While the details are still being hammered out, we’re looking at a whopping 500,000 square feet of retail space and possibly around 1,600 multifamily units in the mix!
So far, we’ve spotted a couple of familiar names on the potential tenant list, including Popeyes and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Yum! The food scene is definitely leveling up, but that’s not all. This new center is intended to be a little bit of everything, giving folks near Conway more options without hauling all the way to the bigger malls.
Traffic Light Talks and Community Concerns
One major plus? The proposal even includes adding a traffic light near Walmart to help ease some of that congestion we all know too well. City officials are crossing their fingers that the S.C. Department of Transportation gives it the green light. However, this project isn’t without its challenges. Residents are already voicing their concerns over the density of the housing units and the traffic that might follow.
Conway City Councilman William Goldfinch raised an eyebrow about whether the new residents would actually utilize the shopping center. “Are we creating a solution or are we creating a problem?” he questioned. It’s a fair point, especially considering the current strain on amenities due to the influx of new people in the area.
Something for Everyone
Conway has seen a significant growth spurt recently. The city gained more residents than all but ten other South Carolina towns during the last Census period. This has prompted officials to be real about planning and zoning issues. While numerous new homes could meet the rising demand, they’re also balancing the need for enough facilities to support everyone.
City planning director Jessica Hucks emphasized that they aren’t against new homes, especially if they have easy access to shops and recreational spaces. Ideally, they’d love for the density to be close to Coastal Carolina University to create a diverse living space for students and locals alike. However, it’s a tricky dance of keeping the charm of Conway while accommodating growth.
Looking Towards the Future
With every new development, residents are hopeful but cautious. The community benefits from commercial properties, which contribute more in taxes compared to owner-occupied homes, so there’s definitely a financial incentive for the city to see projects like this come to fruition.
For now, everyone is watching closely as those in charge figure out the next steps. Would this shopping center bring convenience to the area? Or are we balancing on the edge of an uncontrolled sprawl? Time will tell! Let’s just hope we get those fried chicken sandwiches and custard cups soon!
As we all wait to see what happens next in Conway, one thing’s for sure – change is on the horizon, and it’s looking bright!
