Traffic flows through a busy Myrtle Beach intersection, highlighting the ongoing infrastructure improvements.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation is headed to court over a disagreement regarding land valuation for a critical 0.12-acre plot in Myrtle Beach, scheduled for trial on February 18, 2025. The land dispute involves a valuation difference between SCDOT, which values the land at $117,230, and One Heart LLC, which estimates it at $450,000. This plot is essential for improving local traffic flow as part of the Ride III project, with broader implications for road safety and traffic congestion in Horry County.
Myrtle Beach is buzzing with news as the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) gears up for a courtroom showdown. The trial is set for February 18, 2025, over a land valuation disagreement between the agency and One Heart LLC concerning a tiny, yet crucial, 0.12-acre plot at the very heart of the city’s infrastructure plans.
The contested land sits at the lively intersection of Maple Street and North Oak Street, just a stone’s throw away from Myrtle Beach’s beautiful oceanfront. This particular land is not just any parcel; it’s a key component in the SCDOT’s mission to enhance road infrastructure in Horry County, especially as part of the much-anticipated Ride III project.
It all started back in March 2023 when SCDOT filed a condemnation notice to acquire the land. According to SCDOT, this land is vital for improving local traffic flow, specifically aiding in the realignment of U.S. 501, which is expected to help relieve congestion and enhance pedestrian access in the bustling area. Traffic safety is a massive concern, particularly for the 7th Avenue intersection, which has been known to experience heavy congestion at times.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting: SCDOT values that tiny plot at approximately $117,230. However, One Heart LLC has a much higher appraisal that estimates the land to be worth around $450,000. Talk about a big difference! One Heart LLC isn’t just any company; they bought the land from Wells Fargo Bank back in 2015 for a mere $100,000 after Wells Fargo acquired it in 2011 for over $2.4 million. It certainly raises eyebrows regarding how land value can change so drastically over time.
The total cost of the Ride III project is projected to be around $13.9 million, with completion anticipated by fall 2026. The implications of these road improvements are expected to be far-reaching, potentially easing traffic woes and making the roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians alike.
While the legal teams involved are choosing to keep mum on the ongoing litigation, the SCDOT remains tight-lipped, not offering comments on such pending matters. The registered agent for One Heart LLC, Timothy Wilkes, is also remaining silent in this matter. A wary silence seems to hover around this controversial land dispute.
But wait, there’s more! The ride may not be over yet for landowners and business folks in Horry County. Other infrastructure projects like the Possum Trot Road extension are in the works and could potentially lead to further property acquisitions through eminent domain. It’s a situation that might affect local businesses and homeowners, as residents brace themselves for the possibility of losing their homes and shops.
One family feeling the pinch is that of Johnny White, who is deeply concerned about how the RIDE IV project will impact their lives. This particular project aims to enhance golf cart accessibility across Highway 17, affecting businesses such as the Noah’s Ark Baby Shop and sending local families into a whirl of uncertainty as they contemplate their future.
As it stands, the Possum Trot Road extension project is in the planning stages without a set start date. Public input will play a vital role in shaping its future, as alternative routes are carefully assessed.
The RIDE IV proposal has garnered significant attention after being approved by voters, promising over $6.5 billion in funding for various projects in the area. It’s a hefty investment that has left many local residents hopeful, yet wary of the potential changes ahead.
To sum it up, with the legal battle over the land valuation set to unfold in Myrtle Beach soon and more projects on the horizon, residents and business owners are gripping tightly onto their property, while also keeping a keen eye on how these developments could reshape their beloved community.
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