Myrtle Beach Gathers Emails for Downtown Theater Project
If you’re living in or around Myrtle Beach, you might want to pay attention to a recent development that could affect the arts scene in our beloved city! The buzz all starts with an exciting new downtown theater project, part of the reimagined Arts and Innovation District. Plans are in motion, but there’s a little red tape the officials are currently dealing with!
A Peek Behind the Curtain
It all began with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted on September 10, 2024. This request asked the city for access to emails related to this new theater project. Sounds fairly straightforward, right? But as with many things, just when you think it’s simple, the details can get a bit tangled!
Fast forward to October 24, when a local organization shelled out a cool $200 to get the information. But hang on, it’s not just as easy as paying the fee and receiving the emails right away. According to an email from the city’s FOIA Paralegal, Agatha Puleo, the city tracks for retrieval, review, and redaction at a rate of $20.00 per hour. They estimated it would take about 10 hours to sift through the numerous emails related to this significant project!
Waiting Game
As of Monday, however, the organization had yet to see any documents fly in their direction. Could it be that sifting through emails is no picnic? Well, it turns out South Carolina’s state FOIA law gives the city a full 30 calendar days to deliver the requested documents after the city receives the required fee – so there’s still plenty of time!
City Communication Update
Meredith Denari, the Director of Communications and Creative Services for Myrtle Beach, reassured that the documents are indeed making progress. In a friendly email response, she hinted that those waiting for a peek behind the curtain will get the requested documents within the timeline outlined, if not a bit sooner.
In the Midst of the Process
So why the wait? According to Denari, there are “a lot of files” to go through. It’s not just about clicking send; there’s a meticulous process involved in “sifting through and redacting the necessary information.” Detail-oriented work is the name of the game! Just picture this: sifting through hundreds, maybe even thousands, of emails to ensure that confidential or exempt information doesn’t slip through the cracks. It takes time, dedication, and a keen eye!
Last Request Yields Little
If you think that the excitement is all about a flood of emails, think again! It’s worth noting that during the last request concerning emails related to the downtown theater project, only one lonely email surfaced! Talk about a cliffhanger!
Staying Informed
So, what does this mean for Myrtle Beach residents? As the city works through the bureaucracy, it’s an excellent opportunity to stay engaged with your local arts scene and discuss what kind of entertainment you’d love to see at the upcoming theater. The excitement is building, and the anticipation is in the air! Let’s hope that the next batch of emails reveals some exciting developments that’ll keep our spirits high!
In the meantime, Myrtle Beach, keep your eyes peeled for updates, and let’s continue to support the endeavors that enrich our culture and communities. Before we know it, we could be gracing the front rows of a fabulous new venue!
