The N.C. Department of Transportation has filed eminent domain cases for properties to make way for improvements along South Front Street including a longstanding gas station.
After failing to negotiate with property owners, NCDOT is exercising its eminent domain authority to acquire portions of two properties needed to complete roadway improvements along the busy corridor. The project, a $76.5 million road widening with additional improvements, is expected to begin construction in 2029.
In April, the project prompted the relocation of the Greenfield Lake Yacht Club. The bar’s former building at 1756 Carolina Beach Road will be demolished to make way for the improvements. The club’s owners previously told the StarNews that they were aware of the project when
the business opened in 2023 and have since relocated to Bourgie Nights on Princess Street.
What the filings show
In court documents filed in August, NCDOT began pursuing eminent domain for the property at 1746 Carolina Beach Road. A Mobil gas station with a Han-Dee Hugo’s convenience store will be demolished.
The agency will take the entire 0.34-acre property, compensating the owner a sum of $750,725. Owner Clark Stores LLC purchased the property for $296,000 in 2004 and it has a tax value of $609,800.
NCDOT has also filed an eminent domain case to obtain easements over a portion of a 2.24-acre property at 1404 S. Front St. The agency will pay the owners, a collection of heirs, $36,175 for the acquisition.
Right-of-way acquisition costs for the South Front Street widening total approximately $14.8 million.
About the planned road work
NCDOT will widen South Front Street from the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to Burnett Boulevard, making the street four lanes. A stretch of Carolina Beach Road will also be widened to become a four-lane, median divided highway. The improvements will run from Willard Street to Shipyard Boulevard.
A 10-foot-wide multi-use path will be located along the east side of the street. The intersection at South Front Street, Burnett Boulevard and Carolina Beach Road will be converted to a double quadrant intersection.
The new intersection will reduce congestion and travel time by prohibiting all left turns. Left-turning drivers will be rerouted to a connector street to make a series of right turns.
A design alternative is being considered to remove one of the two existing railroad crossings along the project corridor and shift a portion of the Wilmington Terminal Railroad out of the middle of South Front Street.
Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover County for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: NCDOT to take Wilmington gas station to make way for road widening
