Myrtle Beach, FL — An Air Force One museum may land in Myrtle Beach. A group of former presidential pilots, university leaders and museum directors wants to build the $75 million project — described as a replica of the White House — on a 20-acre site abutting Warbird Park near The Market Common.
“Myrtle Beach, I think, has got the perfect surroundings for this museum,” said Chuck Violette, president of the nonprofit foundation behind the museum. “It’s a one-of-a-kind museum. It’s nothing like anything in the entire nation as far as an aeronautical museum goes.”
During a meeting of Horry County Council’s Administration Committee this week, Violette asked county leaders if the nonprofit could place a sign on the site that declares the museum is coming soon.
“We have to be able to put up a website to begin our (fundraising) … saying this is the address,” he said. “You can’t say proposed anything and get money.”
Violette said the foundation also wants the county to have the property appraised so the nonprofit will know exactly how much it will cost.
The land in question is located along Farrow Parkway and is owned by the Horry County Department of Airports.
Pat Apone, the director of that department, said any sale of the property would require permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“It would need special approval,” she said. “Aircraft museums that do not actually fly aircraft are considered non-aeronautical, so you would have to ask for a special circumstance or allowance from the FAA.”
Violette told county officials he doesn’t expect any objections from the FAA.
Nonprofit wants to build Air Force One Museum in Myrtle Beach