Holden Beach board reviews Block Q plan concepts; minutes record no vote

The Town of Holden Beach Board of Commissioners reviewed design concepts for the Block Q area on Sept. 4, 2026, but the meeting minutes record no vote on a master plan. Holden Beach is in Brunswick County, North Carolina.

The board met in a special meeting at 1:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Public Assembly, according to the meeting minutes. The special meeting agenda listed public comment and a “McGill Presentation – Discussion and Possible Action.”

What happened at the Sept. 4 Block Q meeting?

Michael Norton and Michael Norris of McGill Associates led the discussion, according to the minutes. They covered the project area and existing conditions, reviewed community input and presented design concepts. The minutes say the board “provided feedback on the ideas they preferred” and that next steps were discussed. The only motion recorded was to adjourn at 2:52 p.m.

The documents do not say what the commissioners preferred or what the next steps are. They also do not give a cost or a schedule for the plan.

What concepts did McGill present for Block Q?

The town’s work session agenda lists seven concept topics:

1. Vehicular transportation
2. The Brunswick Avenue corridor
3. Boat trailer parking under the bridge
4. Vehicular parking
5. Block Q enhancements
6. Jordan Boulevard concepts
7. Opportunity zones with recreational amenities

The presentation slides show two Jordan Boulevard alternatives: one with about 46 parking spaces and one with about 50. They also show a concept for the area under the bridge with about 18 paid and 13 free boat trailer spaces.

How much parking is there in the Block Q area?

The slides count about 226 spaces in the Block Q area, which includes Town Hall and Bridgeview Park.

What did residents say in the Block Q survey?

The slides report 142 completed household surveys representing 254 people. The survey does not give a date in the slides. Asked for the most important consideration for improvements, respondents answered:

• Amenities: 34%
• Other: 21%
• Parking: 17%
• Pedestrian connectivity: 10%
• Shade: 8%

By relationship to the town, 47% of respondents were second homeowners or second property owners, and 36% were year-round residents who own property. Landscaping was the most supported park improvement, at 70%.

The slides also summarize a July 31 public meeting, July focus groups and July interviews with commissioners. Commissioners asked for a cohesive long-term plan, better circulation and separation of pedestrians from vehicles.

This article draws on documents from the Sept. 4 meeting. It does not cover later board meetings.

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