Some worry that area’s heavy traffic will only get worse
A planned new Tanger Outlets mall at the I-71 and Rts. 36/37 interchange might have central Ohioshoppers excited, but some drivers say they dread the extra traffic that is sure to come.
“The traffic here is going to be awful,” said a woman who did not want to give her name as shepumped gas at a Shell station near the interchange last week.John Day, 60, of Delaware, who also was filling up, said that without new access roads or otherimprovements, “you’ll have cars backing up, causing more delays, wasting more gas.”
Just weeks ago, the Ohio Department of Transportation finished $3.9 million in safetyimprovements at the interchange, including widening three of the interchange’s four ramps andbuilding turn lanes.
Day and other drivers said the fixes have helped during rush-hour snarls. But those fixes weremeant for only the short term, maybe five years.
State officials have long said the area’s population has outgrown the interchange, and plans toput in a new one are in the works. But construction won’t begin until late 2014 at the earliest,said ODOT spokeswoman Nancy Burton.
Developers behind the proposed 350,000-square-foot outlet mall say doors will be open in timefor the 2014 holiday season.
As with any similar project, ODOT will require mall developers to submit a detailed plan showingthe projected impact on traffic and what they would do to address it, Burton said. “We will makesure the infrastructure can handle the traffic.”
Although plans have not been released, Delaware County officials said on Friday that the mallwill be on the interchange’s southwestern corner, off Four Winds Road behind the Cracker Barrel andWhite Castle restaurants.
The mall is expected to create 300 construction jobs and 900 retail jobs.
Traffic headed to and from Polaris Fashion Place, which is south of the interchange off I-71,has increased since that mall opened several years ago. Another draw will be Cabela’s, the popularhunting, fishing and outdoors retailer that plans to open its first Ohio location in the Polarisarea in the spring.
Nick Gill, the assistant director of transportation for the Mid-Ohio Regional PlanningCommission, said development has been expected in the area near Rts. 36/37 for years but has beenheld up by uncertainty over the interchange.
Gill said traffic forecasters can’t yet say how the proposed outlet mall might affect the area.He did say it likely could affect the interchange more than I-71 itself.
“Obviously, it will add traffic, but the expectation of there being a lot more traffic cominghas been there for a while. The solution to address it is still to be determined,” Gill said.
Delaware County Commissioner Ken O’Brien said the proposed outlet mall could help traffic in anindirect way.
“I think it’s an opportunity,” O’Brien said. “As there’s more retail, there will be more of animpetus to get something done.”
There's nothing like 60's music and thankfully Branson has a show that plays nothing BUT music from the 1960's! Hit's of the 60's is back for another season in 2012 and this year is going to be "Rockin" more than ever!
Family vacations create experiences and bonding moments that your kids will remember forever and the Grand Strand is the perfect place for just such a vacation! The area is filled with shows and attractions that provide hours of fun for the whole family. With everything from rides to shows, these kid-friendly events are sure to be fun for you, too.
While Professor Wonder and his group of scientists were creating a contained man-made tornado at their lab in the Bermuda Triangle, they lost control of the daring experiment. The building was blown all the way to Myrtle Beach where it landed, upside down, on top of a Crab Shack. Fortunately, the other experiments in the lab remained intact and are now here for us to enjoy. This indoor amusement park features a wide variety of activities that thrill (and educate!) both young and old. Feel how cold the water was the night the Titanic sank, visit the bubble lab, experience the winds of a Category 1 hurricane, try to make a complete revolution on the Extreme 360
Soar to new heights! In May 2011, Myrtle Beach welcomed a thrilling new attraction: the largest observation wheel in the United States. This is unlike any ferris wheel you've ever experienced! After being seated in one of the 42 climate-controlled gondolas in groups of 2 to 6, you'll slowly be raised to 187 feet in the air. Here, you'll enjoy sweeping views of the city and beaches along the Grand Strand. At night, the SkyWheel illuminates the coastline with a breathtaking light show.1 million LED lights set into the side of the wheel swirl in a variety of colors and designs and create the perfect backdrop for an iconic family vacation picture!
Ahoy, matey! Hundreds of years ago, fearsome pirates roamed the Carolina coast. Today, the crews of two dread pirate ships have returned and are battling for their lost treasure! Watch as they compete on deck and in the water with thrilling acrobatics, daring sword fights, dives and even live animals. As you cheer on your crew, your captain will treat you to a mouth-watering pirate feast that includes creamy vegetable soup, flaky buccaneer bread, half o' roasted cackler (chicken), the Captain's BBQ pork, buttery corn on the cob, mashed potatoes and apple pie.
Brookgreen Gardens, the famous property developed as a sculpture garden by the Huntingtons, is illuminated by 5,500 hand-lit candles floating in the fountains and lining the walks to illuminate the 250-year-old live oak trees. The landscaping is draped in sparkling lights and shining Chinese lanterns that illuminate hundreds of outdoor sculpture, creating a Southern winter wonderland. 
What's more romantic than dinner next to thousands of glowing candles? Award-winning Inlet Affairs catering is standing by in a heated tent to serve you a divine lowcountry feast. The menu features all of your favorite Southern fare including shrimp and grits, inlet clam chowder, snow crab, oysters on the half shell, chicken bog, BBQ and chicken breast with fire-roasted corn and peppers. If you want to keep warm as you move through the gardens, hot chocolate, cider and coffee are also available. (Click here for a full menu and pricing information.)
During the holiday season, Ripley's decks their halls with 50 beautifully decorated Christmas trees! Each tree is themed after one of the 50 states and contains ornaments representing the specific characteristics and themes of the state. For added fun, be sure to ask the Guest Services Desk about participating in the Holiday Tree Scavenger Hunt!
Experience one of the most impressive holiday light displays you'll ever see! As you drive through the wonderland created by Shadrack's, you'll be blown away by hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights that dance to your favorite Christmas tunes. At the end of your drive, you can stop in Santa's Village where you'll find concessions, pony and camel rides, a petting zoo and carnival games. 
Every Saturday until New Years, head over to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk for a Christmas celebration! The whole family will enjoy a stroll down the boardwalk decked with thousands of lights, Holiday movies featured on big screens, visits with Santa Claus and live music. Then, on December 15th, the boardwalk will debut it's brand new Polar Express train ride for the kids! 
Original Carolina Opry cast member, Rocky Fretz, returns for the holiday season to delight guests with his famed piano performances. Accompanied by bass player Patrick O'Leary, you'll enjoy a series of classics and Holiday favorites. The show provides a more intimate setting than the Opry's seasonal Christmas show and you'll get lost in the beautiful music!
Each year, designers flock to the winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington of local fame. Each designer decorates a room with their own Holiday motif in hopes of taking home the coveted "People's Choice Award." Stroll through the house and admire the Holiday decor, vote for your favorite, take pictures with the roaming actors portraying the Huntingtons and indulge in hot spiced cider and homemade treats while enjoying live holiday music. The Lionel Train Club will also have their collection on display, holiday crafts will be available for sale and you'll even enjoy an oyster roast!
Celebrate Christmas with the city of Myrtle Beach! Head over to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, where the whole family will be entertained with balloon art, face painting, Thomas the Train rides, letters to Santa and pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Finally, you'll enjoy the city's official Christmas tree lighting. The best part- it's free!
Each year, 8 beautiful homes in the historic Wachesaw Plantation open their doors for tours. The houses, overlooking the Wachesaw River, are elaborately decorated and lighted to celebrate the Christmas season. At the conclusion of the tour, be sure to stop and enjoy lunch from any of Murrells Inlet's famous waterfront restaurants!
Come watch one of the premier high school basketball tournaments in the United States! 16 of the top teams from around the country will compete with the goal of being crowned tournament champions. Don't miss the opportunity to watch future superstars before they were famous! Past players include Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter and Jason Kidd.