Rebirth for Carolina beach boardwalk?

People over the age of 50 can recall a Carolina Beach boardwalk that steamed in the summer with dance halls and raging shag contests. Younger folks remember arcades with the latest games and rides that provoked squeals over the Atlantic. As the area slowly moved from mecca to blight, regulars can glumly recall bar fights that involved more than fists and testosterone.
But that could change as early as this summer because lawmakers and friends with influence and deep pockets have teamed up to spruce up the once revered area.
Earlier this year the town council unanimously approved $53,000 to kick-start renovations for what is rather prosaically called Boardwalk Makeover. Ideas for the coming vacation season are to provide family friendly live music and other entertainment during weekly summer fireworks.
Longer term plans call for development that could include wide swaths of public space complemented by high-rise commercial and private buildings. That term "high-rise" is what scares many locals, who fear unchecked Myrtle Beach-type growth. This is unlikely in our small town since even developers seem eager to keep the feel of quaint Carolina Beach.