An artist’s rendering of public restrooms slated to be installed at Myrtle Beach’s Valor Park by early 2023.
City of Myrtle Beach
One of Market Common’s most well traveled areas is getting state-of-the art restroom facilities just in time for peak tourism season.
Myrtle Beach officials said the $198,000 modular structures headed to Valor Park should be set into place by crane on March 30, forcing the temporary closure of Hackler Street.
Nearly 300 people commented on the city’s Facebook page praising the addition, whose designs were approved last summer.
“The typical public restroom, they’re built very crudely. Every one of our buildings is fully grouted, fully rebar-reinforced, fully built out roof structure just like you’d find in your home,” said Mike Earle, a regional sales representative with Nevada-based Public Restroom Company, told The Sun News last June when the amenities were first announced.
Each facility includes a 20-foot foot, ADA accessible stalls, changing areas, lockable doors and hand driers.
Public Restroom Company works in communities along the Atlantic seaboard and tornado-prone parts of Texas and the Midwest, also said their buildings are constructed to withstand hurricanes, gale force winds and other hazards that could impact waste treatment and storm water. “We over design and overbuild,” Earle said. “They’re indestructible.”
The project is being funded through by tax increment financing, which allows the city to pay for work using property tax growth within a designated area.
Valor Park, also known as Valor Memorial Garden, is home to many of Market Common’s biggest events including weekly farmers markets, movie screenings, weddings and concerts.
“Valor Memorial Garden has become a busy public space, and people have an expectation of facilities,” city spokeswoman Mark Kruea said in an email. “The garden has events every weekend. For larger ones, we bring in portable restrooms, so this will be a more attractive and permanent solution.”