New Hanover County Commissioners Approve Next Steps for Project Grace
In May, the New Hanover Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a development agreement to build the so called “Project Grace” in downtown Wilmington. The development will take up an entire square block that is currently owned by the county and borders Chestnut, Grace, Second and North Third streets. The plans will create a three-story facility that’s approximately 94,000 square feet. Portions of the building will be used as a modern library, while another section will be turned into a museum. The facility will also have its own parking garage attached. The initiative has been in the works for more than six years, with a previous plan halted because of funding concerns. It is estimated that when complete, Project Grace will cost the county $60.5 million.
The Price to Play Ball
According to published reports the town Leland has a better idea of the price to build a new minor league stadium. As we’ve reported the Texas Rangers are in talks with the town about the possibility of bringing a minor league team, ballpark, and entertainment venue to the area. Talks have included at least one trip where Rangers representatives traveled to Brunswick County to tour the area and another trip where community leaders from our area traveled to Arlington, Texas to visit the ball clubs professional facilities. The first released study ordered by Leland was made public last month. The stadium is expected to exceed $115 million. That is money that would exclusively come from town residents, because Brunswick County Commissioners decided this spring not to team up with Leland. The town is still waiting on a feasibility study before voting on the next steps.
Proposed New Surf City Community Gets Approval, But Drastically Reduced in Size.
The proposed “Applewood Trace” development in Surf City has been given a green light by the town’s Planning Board. The development will be located off U.S. 17 and N.C. 210 just behind the Turtle Creek Neighborhood. When complete the development will consist of 400 homes with 181 single-family lots and 218 being a combination of either duplexes or townhomes. Other plans include a clubhouse with a pool for residents and a boat/RV storage area. More than 100 acres will be set aside for open space. Originally developers wanted to build a 700 home community. The smaller number was agreed upon after several public hearings.
The State Port is Hoping for Deeper Water
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District will conduct a public comment period this month to discuss the latest on a project that would deepen the Wilmington harbor. The public open house will be held Tuesday, June 13, at 4 p.m. at Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station Building. The project would deepen the main channel of the Cape Fear River to 47 feet from the current 42 feet. Similar projects took place from 2000 to 2013 when the main channel went from 38 feet to 42 feet. Deepening the water in the harbor will give larger vessels access to the North Carolina State Ports.
State Agrees to Help Fund New Government Center in Pender County
Plans for a new jail and law enforcement center in Pender County got a boost from state lawmakers. Last month the State Senate passed a bill that would donate land near Burgaw for the construction of a multi-use law enforcement center. The facility will house the sheriff’s office, 911 center and a jail double the size of the current one. The project is expected to cost $48 million. Pender County is waiting finalization of construction documents, and once those are approved the project will be put out for bid with a proposal expected to be submitted by the fall.