Wilmington’s MLK Center gets a much needed makeover.
The City of Wilmington broke ground earlier this month for an expansion of the MLK Center. The project is expected to cost $5.57 million. The project is expected to cost $5.57 million. This measure was approved by voters in a parks bond project.. Upon completion, the MLK Community Center will have a new gymnasium with a high school regulation sized basketball court, two motorized goals, four retractable goals, two scoreboards, a motorized divider curtain, volleyball, pickle-ball, wrestling, safety padding for walls and backstops, adequate storage for all intended programming needs, additional restrooms, and office space. The expansion will also include a full commercial kitchen, which will not only provide new programming opportunities but job training and a space for aspiring food-service entrepreneurs. The expanded facility is expected to open in Spring 2025.
A Home for your favorite food truck
The Wilmington Board of Adjustment has approved plans to build a food truck hub in downtown Wilmington. The request comes from the owner, Dave Nathans, who was looking to use an about 14,694-square-foot vacant lot along N. 4th, Cowan, and Davis streets for ‘an enclosed food court structure to allow for parking for mobile food units, dining areas, bathrooms, and a commissary. The location is on the north end of Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District. Dubbed Chow Town, the food truck court is planned for a triangle-shaped area with space for six food trucks to park on the site
Another Target is coming to Wilmington
The Target corporation has plans to build a second store within Wilmington City Limits. Plans call to build a 128,000 square foot facility in the Monkey Junction area. It would be located next to Staples in Monkey Junction. Target says the Myrtle Grove store will be situated at the southeast corner of Carolina Beach Road and Piner Road. It will join the current Target location on New Centre Drive. The new location is expected to open in early 2025.
It’s back to the drawing board for a large townhome community near Porters Neck
A developer is pressing pause on a major project in northern New Hanover County. CIP Construction proposed a development of 348 townhomes on 33 acres located in the 8100 block of Market Street. The developers needed the land to be rezoned before the project could move forward. But during a recent New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting, several residents voiced concerns, including issues of traffic, environmental impact, and potential overcrowding of schools. By the end of the meeting, instead of running the risk of the proposal being rejected, the developer withdrew their plans. If the application had officially been denied by commissioners, the developers would have to wait a year to submit a similar proposal. Since the proposal was withdrawn, there is no time constraint, and the project could be resubmitted in the near future
Works begins on Skate Board Park expansion in Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach Skatepark is getting a major upgrade. The work will double the size of the existing park, which now gets crowded during popular times of the day. This plan expands the park’s concrete features to include multiple areas so skateboards, BMX bikes, and scooters can all ride more safely at the same time. New skate features such as street skating obstacles, a mini bowl, and a pump track are planned along with dedicated areas designed for relaxing, spectating, and hosting more skate festivals. The work will cost an estimated $475,000 with the funds coming from a non-profit organization called The Friends of Carolina Beach Parks and Greenways. Pillar Design Studios created the conceptual design for the park. There is no set nor projected completion date for the expansion, but the assumption is the work will be done by the summer of 2024