Read more: Local, Boardwalk, Myrtle Beach, Ocean Boulevard, Sky Lift, Aerial Tram, Redevelopment, Tourism, Attraction
If one company gets its way, Myrtle Beach may soon see gondolas or chair lifts drifting above the new boardwalk along Ocean Boulevard.
Doppelmayr CTEC approached the Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Corporation with the idea of installing an aerial tram to follow the outline of the boardwalk.
"The boardwalk has generated national interest by several companies that want to look at the possibilities of providing unique, special attractions," said David Sebok, the executive director of the Redevelopment Corporation.
Sebok said the aerial tram -- or sky lift -- is just one idea, and he said that's all it is at this point: an idea.
"Because there are some environmental issues, some aesthetic issues and some business issues that would need to be explored. It takes some time," Sebok said.
Meanwhile, tourists and business owners along Ocean Boulevard Wednesday afternoon seemed receptive to the idea.
"We would definitely get on it. And we love things like roller coasters and things like that. So definitely, something over the water would be really cool," said Naadira Upshaw who was visiting from Atlanta.
Donald Martin, who manages the Gay Dolphin gift shop on the Boulevard, said he's already excited about the boardwalk and thinks a sky lift could add even more.
"As long as it's done right," Martin said. "I think it'll probably be a good thing. Anything to draw people to the area is going to help business no matter what."
A couple of people, however, didn't approve of the idea and said it may clutter the area.
"It might make it a little ... kind of amusement park-ish, if that's a word," said Nyria Harris who was on spring break from Fayetteville, NC.
At a board meeting Wednesday, Redevelopment Corporation members tabled the issue and said they need some more time to think about the proposal. They plan on re-addressing the topic at next month's meeting.
A ribbon cutting ceremony has been tentatively scheduled for May 15 for the boardwalk, though all construction may not wrap up until mid-summer.
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