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Pier Committee
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes
Members
- Robert Krouse (Chair)
Term: February 22, 2022 to February 22, 2026 - Tabitha Mull (Vice-Chair)
Term: February 22, 2022 to February 22, 2026 - Alex Samsel (Secretary)
Term: February 22, 2022 to February 22, 2026 - John Hiatt
Term: February 22, 2022 to February 22, 2026 - Dusty McCracken
Term: February 22, 2022 to February 22, 2026 - Mayor Hellyer, 2022 Council Liaison
Overview
The ad hoc pier committee was established on February 22, 2022.
In April 2022, the town conducted a survey on behalf of the pier committee. Read the results (PDF) of that survey.
In November 2022, at the town's annual Family Festival, the pier committee conducted an additional survey. Read the results (PDF) of that survey.
Responsibility
The primary responsibility of the Pier Committee is to assist the Town in soliciting and executing prudent strategy and policy for the commercial use of the available space on and surrounding the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier. In fulfilling its responsibility, the Pier Committee shall perform functions that include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
- Identify potential uses (mobile and permanent), businesses, and/or purposes that would benefit the Town; evaluate potential uses for pros and cons, including obtaining feedback from the Town's stakeholders
- Identify the potential market value of leased spaces and potential candidates for targeted Requests for Proposals (RFP) processes.
- Engage in addressing potential operational issues and/or improvements that may arise over time
- Provide recommendations to the Town Council, including the pros and cons of such recommendations
Members
The Pier Committee shall consist of 5 members. All members must be a resident or business owners of the Town. Residents or business owners may apply for a place on the Pier Committee as vacancies occur. Town Council shall appoint members from a pool of applicants at a regular scheduled Town Council meeting. Each member shall serve a four-year term. All members of the Pier Committee serve at the pleasure of the Town Council and may be added or removed at any time as the Town Council deems appropriate.
At the first meeting of each year, the Pier Committee members shall meet to elect a Committee Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. Each shall serve a one-year term. The Vice-Chair shall fulfill the Chair's duties in their absence.
The Chair will preside over the Pier Committee meetings, including setting the agenda. The Chair shall present Pier reports of feedback, issues and recommended solutions, or other recommended actions to the Town Council as necessary.
A Town Councilmember will be assigned to attend all Pier Committee meetings and act as a liaison between the Town Council and the Pier Committee. The Councilmember will only act as a liaison and will not run or otherwise interfere with Pier Committee meetings, evaluations of solutions, or selection of recommendations.
Meetings
The Pier Committee meetings will be held as called by the Chair. Pier Committee members must be present for each meeting. The Town Council may remove a committee member if they miss three or more consecutive meetings. The Chair will conduct all meetings in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order and shall comply with all Town ordinances and State Law. The Chair will meet with the Town Administrator for all recommendations prior to presenting them to Town Council.
The Secretary shall take meeting minutes at all meetings of the Pier Committee and present the prior meeting for approval. The approved meeting minutes shall be promptly provided to the Town Clerk after being approved.
Disbanding
The Pier Committee shall remain in effect until otherwise disbanded through completion of its work. The Town Council may vote to disband the Pier Committee if the primary responsibility is no longer necessary.
Public Input
You may provide your comments by emailing the Pier Committee.
- When is the pier anticipated to be complete and open to the public?
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Surfside Pier is slated to be walkable later in 2022 and to be fully operational by March 2023, six years after it was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew. The old Surfside pier was heavily damaged by Hurricane Matthew on October 8th, 2016. Consensus Construction was awarded the $14.6 million project in September 2021 and marked the start of a long-awaited project for residents and visitors of the town of Surfside Beach. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in December 2021. (Updated estimated cost of the pier has risen to +$20 Million as of 2022)
- How many vacant buildings will be be available on the new Surfside Beach pier?
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There are currently four interior retail spaces in three buildings, two interior walk-up spaces & a pavilion structure being planned near the end of the pier. The largest building is already leased by the owners of the former Surf Diner, Atlantic Restaurant Group. The other three spaces are in the process of being recommended by the Pier Committee through “Request for Proposals” submitted by the Town of Surfside Beach on April 8th, 2022, and subsequently reviewed by the Pier Committee. The Town Council will then proceed to vote on the Pier Committee’s recommendations and potentially negotiate new lease terms with the tenants chosen.
- What is the length & width of the new Pier?
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The total pier length will be 814ft long from the entry stairs to the end of the pier.
The beginning of the pier will be 16ft wide between retail spaces
Middle of the pier will be 24ft wide
The end of the pier will be 36ft wide at the last 83ft of the pier.
Pier will be 25ft tall (Nine feet taller than the old pier).
Pier will have staircase, elevator & accessible ramps.