Exciting Developments on the Horizon for Conway!
Conway is buzzing with excitement as a brand new development proposal is on the table that could *transform* the area across U.S. Highway 501 from the Carolina Forest Walmart. Yep, you heard it right! A Florida-based company, Impeccable Development, is in talks to bring a shopping center and nearly *2,000 new apartments* to our neck of the woods. Can you imagine the hustle and bustle?
What’s in the Proposal?
According to the plans, this development would not only add almost 1,900 apartments but also a **huge** shopping center with a *home improvement store* and over 260,000 square feet of additional retail space! That’s right, there are even plans for places like a bank, medical and dental offices, gas stations, and a selection of restaurants that will have your dining options expanding like never before. There’s talk of *Popeyes* and *Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers* as the first tenants to join this new space. Yum!
Some Bumps in the Road
However, it seems there are some *hurdles* to jump over before we see this vision become a reality. State transportation officials are raising some concerns about traffic flow in the area. They’ve voiced worries about adding another traffic light at the *Walmart intersection*, noting that adding this many apartments and shops will definitely *increase* traffic on our local roads, including U.S. 501 and Gardner Lacy Road.
After a traffic study was done, it became clear that the project could generate an additional **26,572 daily trips** out of the complex! Yikes! Conway planning officials mentioned they’re not against more homes in busy spots but want to ensure *pedestrians* can easily access businesses. With Coastal Carolina University close by, there’s definitely a need for greater housing options.
Mixed Reactions
Not everyone is on the same page about this development, though. Concerns have been voiced from city officials regarding just how many housing units are appropriate for the area. They worry that developers might find it challenging to get the number of apartments they’re proposing approved due to existing traffic conditions and other local planning rules. You know how we love to keep things moving (literally!) here in Myrtle Beach and Conway.
Residents are likely to have their say on this as well. The site is pretty close to *Carolina Forest High School*, which is one of the largest public high schools in South Carolina, housing nearly 3,000 students and running at full capacity. It might just stir the pot a bit with local neighbors who already feel the pressure of heavy traffic!
Future Possibilities
If you’re wondering what the timeline for this development looks like, it’s still a bit up in the air. Developers haven’t committed to a concrete timeline, and until a formal annexation petition is filed, we might just have to *stay tuned* for more updates.
One thing’s for sure: *Conway is definitely on the move,* and with these new discussions, we might see some exciting changes in our community. The city officials are eager to see how it plays out, and they want to work with developers to create a great living environment that serves both the new and existing residents.
In the meantime, let’s keep our fingers crossed, folks! This could be a wild ride full of *potential* and fresh opportunities for Conway. As developments continue to unfold, we’ll be right here, keeping you in the loop every step of the way!
