After five years of planning Wilmington breaks ground on Project Grace
After years of negotiations, Wilmington has broken ground on its Project Grace. Plans call to construct a building which will house a new downtown public library, the Cape Fear Museum, a parking deck, and a museum dedicated to Wilmington native Michael Jordan. The facility will be located on what is now an empty lot between Grace, Third, Chestnut. The current public library will remain open and fully operational during Project Grace’s construction. The total cost of the project is estimated to be nearly $56 million with the new facility being completed sometime in late 2025.
A new waterfront development is coming to Topsail Island.
Construction of a new waterfront neighborhood on Topsail Island will start this month. The small development will be made up of 43 single family homes. Lots will go on sale for the public this spring. The project is being designed by ACCOLADE coastal development. All of the homes will be waterfront, sitting on 1,400 feet of shoreline on the sound side of the island. The new community sits on more than two acres near N.C. 50 and to Cutlass Drive.
Southport Planning Board to vote on a new gated community in March
The Southport Planning Board will vote this month on the proposed construction of Turtle Bay, a gated community intended for older residents. The neighborhood would sit on 54 acres that would need to be rezoned from heavy commercial (R-20) to planned unit development (PUD). Developers say Turtle Bay will be geared more toward the retirement community. The current plans do not call for common amenities like a pool, tennis courts, or a clubhouse. Instead it will have what is called “active leisure,” like a trail system, gazebos, and lookout points. A traffic impact analysis has already been conducted. The development will bring 1,009 daily trips, 74 trips in the morning and 99 trips during evening peaks. The planning board is schedule to meet March 21st at 6pm
Surf City is getting a new recreation complex
Constructions crews started working last month on phase one of a new recreation complex in Surf City. The Earl G. and Inez Batts Recreation Complex will be on 45.85 acres of land adjacent to the existing Surf City Community Center and Athletic Complex. Phase 1 of the new complex will feature a Skatepark, Inclusive playground, two sand volleyball courts, shelter and restroom facilities, and a link to existing trails. City leaders have not released an estimated completion date at this time.
