Myrtle Beach leaders OK 2 new developments to keep Pelicans long-term

Yahoo

3 days ago

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach City Council on Tuesday approved two new Pelicans' developments as the city works quickly to find a solution to keep the Minor League Baseball team on the Grand Strand long-term.
City leaders approved first reading of an ordinance to make Myrtle Beach the sole owner of Pelicans Ballpark, while Horry County still gives the city $6 million for the stadium's needed renovations.
The stadium, which is in need of $20 million in improvements to come into compliance with Major League Baseball standards, is 70% owned by the city and 30% by the county. The ordinance would make Myrtle Beach the sole owner of the stadium, but Horry County would still contribute $6 million — or 30% — of the renovations.
Pelicans fans, city & county leaders talk unclear future for baseball team
'The county has agreed to contribute the sum of $6,000,000 to the city,' the ordinance reads. 'This contribution is contingent upon the city accepting the conveyance by the county to the city of all of the county's right, title and interest in and to the property.'
City leaders also approved first reading of an ordinance with a new 30-year lease agreement between Myrtle Beach and the Pelicans. The lease payment would be $750,000 for the first 10 years, $850,000 for the next 10 years, and $950,000 for the final 10 years.
The team's future on the Grand Strand fell in limbo after Horry County leaders approved a different lease agreement than the city previously approved earlier this month. The city expressed disappointment in the county afterward.
'Although the lease was approved, it is not the same agreement passed by Myrtle Beach City Council,' the city said last week in a news release. 'Unlike the city's version, Horry County's lease includes additional concessions unrelated to baseball. Those concessions were added in the last few weeks and relate to an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) and airport funding. Throughout the process, the city has engaged in good-faith discussions with county leaders and council members, as the stadium has been owned by the city of Myrtle Beach (70%) and Horry County (30%) since 1998.'
A second and final reading of Tuesday's ordinances will take place at a special-called meeting open to the public at 9 a.m. on June 3. Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune says the Pelicans need to resolve their 30% financial deficit in the stadium, now that the county has backed out, by next Tuesday.
News13's Skylar Musick attended Tuesday's meeting and will have more info in our afternoon newscasts.
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Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.
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Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.
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