AIR FORCE BASE REDEVELOPMENT
Plans for last tract unveiled

By Emma Ritch
The Sun News

Plans for the final piece of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base are drawing praise for a modern design that promotes smart land use and healthy living.

New York-based developers RWO Acquisitions LLC announced Thursday a 560-acre residential and commercial project on the former base that could open this year adjacent to the planned urban village. The project, called Withers Preserve, will have 2,000 homes at prices starting in the $300,000s.

The development makes RWO Acquisitions the largest private landholder of the former base, which has seen little new development since it closed in 1993. The 3,800-acre base has seen a flurry of development after years of failed projects. Developers estimate it could eventually house 15,000 residents.

"It really is the crowning piece in the rebirth of the south end of Myrtle Beach," said Scott Parker, a partner of Design Works, which is RWO's land planner. "I promise you, this place is poised to become the best place to live, shop, work and play on the Grand Strand."

Of the base's total land area, the Myrtle Beach International Airport occupies 2,100 acres. McCaffery Interests has stepped up to build an urban village on 113 acres, and Lennar Corp. has plans for 250 acres of the of the Ross Tract.

Gov. Mark Sanford attended the unveiling of the Withers Preserve plans and praised local planners for their progressive ideas that promote healthy living. The development "is very important for improving the quality of life in South Carolina," he said.

"I normally don't show up for the opening of a new subdivision," he said. "But I'm here because this represents a very big thing for the state."

Developers "are already moving dirt" on Withers Preserve, with model homes planned to open this fall, said Robert O'Neel III, CEO of RWO Acquisitions. Full build-out of the project could take four to six years, depending on availability of labor and materials, he said.

"We have a responsibility to this community to take the passion and vision they have here and make it a showpiece, not only for Myrtle Beach but for South Carolina," O'Neel said.

The project would almost double the amount of park space on the former base - currently 100 acres.

The planned projects will likely enhance property values and quality of life for the entire south end of the Grand Strand, including Socastee and Surfside Beach, said Buddy Styers, executive director of the Base Redevelopment Authority.

Michael Breem, a resident of Seagate Village, said he worried that traffic would become a problem but was excited that the development could enhance his property.

"They're talking about this [being a] new center of town, which is an excellent concept for 10 years from now," he said.

Styers said he thinks RWO has the financial ability to do what developers have promised, citing RWO's quick purchase of the land and cash availability.

Clayton McCaffery, vice president of leasing for McCaffery Interests, said Withers Preserve will complement the Market Common development.

"Any time that you can be a part of a quality development and have someone enhance your development, it's only going to help both your projects immensely," he said.

The residential development in Withers Preserve is planned in the neotraditional style, hiding garages from street view and encouraging walking, O'Neel said. Developers plan on 300,000 square feet of office space and 450,000 square feet of retail space and hotels. Much of the commercial land is planned for along Farrow Parkway and U.S. 17 Bypass.