Downtown Conway Hotel Design Revealed: Neighbors Raise Parking Concerns

The Conway waterfront hotel project along the Waccamaw River is progressing through municipal review. Developers propose a 69-room hotel on Kingston Street and Fourth Avenue that would replace a parking lot and add a restaurant, ballroom, and outdoor event space.

This post examines the key design, planning, and community considerations being weighed by Conway’s boards and city departments as the project moves toward construction.

Project Overview and Site Context

The proposed development sits in downtown Conway at a riverfront gateway site. A surface parking lot would be removed to make way for a mixed-use hospitality project.

The plan aims to leverage river views and create a lively pedestrian-friendly environment. It also seeks to reconnect visitors to the Riverwalk.

What’s Being Planned

In addition to lodging, the project includes a restaurant, a ballroom, and outdoor event space that capitalize on waterfront access and downtown activity. The site would be anchored by Kingston Street and Fourth Avenue.

Design considerations focus on parking, loading, and street-level livability for residents and guests.

• 69-room hotel
• Restaurant and ballroom
• Outdoor event space
• Parking lot replacement with improved on-street parking
• Remote parking site along SC-905 linked to Riverwalk

Design and Parking Strategy

The project team emphasizes a design that supports hospitality use while addressing traffic and access for the Riverwalk and neighboring streets. A core objective is to balance building amenities with street activity and safety for pedestrians and vehicles.

Parking and Access Solutions

To address parking loss and increased traffic on Kingston Street, designers propose adding parallel parking where it does not currently exist. A remote parking site along SC-905 would be linked to downtown via the old railroad bridge and the Riverwalk.

This forms a broader parking network to reduce congestion on a single street. Deliveries and event staging are planned to occur on-street or in dedicated loading zones to keep pedestrian corridors clear and minimize conflicts.

Review Process and Stakeholders

The project is advancing through the city’s review, with several agencies involved in ensuring code compliance, material choices, and operational practicality. The Technical Review Committee will evaluate construction plans for code conformity and coordinate reviews across departments.

Roles: CAB and City Staff

The Community Appearance Board (CAB) focuses on exterior materials, architectural language, and overall curb appeal. This helps ensure the project aligns with downtown Conway’s riverfront character.

City staff handle parking logistics, loading zones, and operational concerns affecting traffic and neighbor access. Project architect Stephen Ramos notes that deliveries and event staging would be kept on the street to reduce interactions between pedestrians and trucks, supporting safer circulation around the Riverwalk corridor.

Community Impacts and Safety Considerations

Nearby property owners have voiced concerns about the potential loss of parking and increased traffic on Kingston Street. This street often serves as a cut-through to SC 905.

The design team’s approach—adding parallel parking and using a remote parking site—seeks to address these concerns. The plan aims to maintain downtown connectivity and access to riverfront amenities.

Traffic, Parking and Pedestrian Interactions

By integrating a loading zone and moving delivery areas away from a public alley that provides Riverwalk access, the plan aims to reduce pedestrian-truck interactions. This approach is intended to improve safety along Kingston Street.

The loading and staging strategy balances efficient hotel operations with the flow of people walking along the Riverwalk and surrounding streets.

Timeline and Next Steps

If approvals occur within the target six-month window, project proponents estimate that construction could take about two years to complete. This timeline depends on coordination among planning, fire, engineering, stormwater, and other city agencies.

The review and feedback process will shape the final design and engineering package as it moves toward groundbreaking.

Projected Completion Window

With timely approvals and responsive design adjustments, the Conway 69-room hotel could become a new anchor for the downtown riverfront. It will contribute to activity, housing, and waterfront accessibility.

The project demonstrates best practices in site integration and cross-department collaboration.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Design for new downtown Conway Hotel revealed, neighbors share concerns over parking