The JFB team is constantly paying attention to the massive growth and development of this area. The Cape Fear region is changing right in front of our eyes. Here are some of the updates on projects that we’ve been following this month:
Virginia Based Company Buys Land to Expand Bolivia’s Goose Marsh Community
Last month Virginia-based developer Chesapeake Homes purchased 61 approved lots in Bolivia’s Goose Marsh neighborhood. This will be a massive expansion for the community that is located off Gilbert Road- almost tripling the size of the development. Chesapeake Homes purchased the lots from Drapac Capital Partners for a reported $4 million. Chesapeake Homes told us over the phone that since the lots were already rezoned, the development could move very quickly. The next step is for the company to decide what floor plans and price points it wants to offer, and then to submit those drawings for county approval.
Popular Pennsylvania Chain wants to Open in Wilmington’s Midtown
The Pennsylvania-based gas station company Sheetz wants to open its first location in Wilmington. The company submitted site plans to the city’s technical review board. The gas station would be located on nearly four acres near Independence and Shipyard Boulevards. Plans call for a 6,100 square foot facility with a drive through, car wash and eight fuel pumps. In addition to being a gas station, Sheetz offers a range of foods from sandwiches and smoothies to fried mac n’ cheese.
Massive Apartment Complex Considered in Brunswick County
A public hearing took place last month on plans to build more than 300 luxury apartments in Brunswick County. The company Caviness & Cates wants to build the so far unnamed community off of River Road in an unincorporated area of the county between Belville and Leland. The plans would require a zoning change to allow for a multi family development. A second community meeting to discuss the project is scheduled for March 13th at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is currently slated to take place at the Holiday Inn Express on Grandiflora Drive in Leland, but due to the large turnout at the first meeting, organizers said they would consider moving to a larger venue.
Restaurant Shaped Like a Volcano Submits Plans for the South Front District.
Restaurateurs Rodrick and Shirlene James have submitted plans to Wilmington’s technical review board to open a strangely shaped eatery in the city’s South Front District. Working with local architect Rob Romero, a design has been submitted that’s supposed to resemble the Mount Kilimanjaro volcano (the restaurant will be called Kilimanjaro.) If approved it would be located at 215 Wright Street, near the Waterline Brewery with forty tables located outside and another 50 inside plus a 14-seat bar. Plans need both the city and county to sign off, with hopes that construction could begin by this summer.
Leland Commits Money to Study Ball Park
As we told you last month the town of Leland is in talks with the Texas Rangers to build a minor league sports complex off Highway 17 near the Brunswick Forest neighborhood. Now the city has moved from talking, to putting up money for the proposed project. At their last meeting the Leland Town Council approved $30,000 to pay consulting to perform a feasibility study that will look at everything from the impact on the environmental impact to a traffic study. The research is only supposed to take a few months, paving the way for a county-wide municipal bond to appear on the November ballot.