Check Out the New Library
A construction contract was awarded last month to build New Hanover County’s 5th library branch. The nearly 20,000-square-foot facility library will be located on a nearly three-acre undeveloped tract at 4400 Northchase Parkway NE. The facility will include a teen multi-media social room, a gaming area and a children’s story-time pavilion. The County received qualified bids from six general contractors. Monteith Construction submitted the lowest bid with an estimate of $9.37 million. That total budget includes funding for public art along with the cost of the library’s furniture, fixtures and equipment. Construction is expected to begin before the end of the year
Pender County Newest School is Getting Bigger
Pender County Schools has approved a redesign for the future K-8 school, which includes an additional 4,000 square feet of space. This expansion increases the total possible student population to 2,312,. The additional space will be achieved by constructing a second story on the middle school wing of the future school. Construction is expected to take three years with the school opening by 2027/2028 school year
A New Place to Have Fun in Surf City
Officials held a ground breaking ceremony for new recreation complex in Surf City next summer. The recreation complex will be located off Roland Road and aims to bring fun for all ages. The facility will feature 40,000 square feet of bowling, laser tag, an arcade, beer garden, restaurant, bar, and more. Construction on the new complex will begin soon, with opening expected by Memorial Day next year.
A New Museum Could be Docking in Wilmington
An organization called The North Carolina Submarine Foundation, has a dream to build a museum in Wilmington. According to the group’s website the museum would honor three nuclear-powered U.S. Navy submarines that represent North Carolina: the USS Asheville SSN 758, the USS Charlotte SSN 766, and the USS North Carolina SSN 777, which was commissioned in Wilmington in 2008. The museum will also commemorate the men, women and their families who served aboard and supported the submarines. Last month the Wilmington City Council approved a resolution that was written in support of the plan. An exact location for the museum has not been decided yet but a spokesperson for the foundation said they will begin looking for sites and hope to have the project done by early 2028.
A Massive Commercial Development Proposed for Ogden
A new commercial center could be popping up in Ogden. Middle Sound West Commercial has plans to build two 12,000-square-foot buildings for commercial use. Plans call for both retail and office space and restaurant that would include an area for outdoor seating. The total building gross floor area would be 27,200 square feet. Plans are scheduled to go before the New Hanover County Technical Review Committee on June 5.