A parcel on Chestnut Street was once occupied by a large city of Wilmington office building. At one point, the area was to be the site of a grocery store.
Now, the city has converted the 1.5-acre property into a temporary urban pop-up park.
As part of Wilmington’s recognition of America’s 250th birthday, a “Celebration Pop-Up Park” was created at 305 Chestnut St.
The city said the pop-up park was designed to encourage community, connection and civic pride with a welcoming space where people can gather, spend time and enjoy downtown.
Some building history
The city purchased 305 Chestnut St. for $4.5 million from BB&T in December 1997, according to New Hanover County property records.
The demolition of buildings at 305 and 315 Chestnut St. concluded in March 2025. Meanwhile,
319 Chestnut St. remained a parking lot.
Before the city purchased the Skyline Center for $68 million on July 13, 2023, the building at 305 Chestnut St. was the city’s largest office building, built in 1959.
City-owned lots at 305, 315 and 319 Chestnut St. were to be the site of a grocery store until the developer decided not to pursue the project, leaving the Northside community a food desert.
Plans for a grocery fall through
Two proposals made in 2024 to bring a grocery store to the area have fallen by the wayside.
The city had approved a $1.7 million bid from a developer, Cape Fear Holdings LLC, for the parcels at 305, 315 and 319 Chestnut St. The bid included a deed restriction limiting use of the property to a retail grocery supermarket for at least 10 years. While not official, it was believed that a Publix was coming to the site at the corner of Chestnut and Third streets due to Cape Fear Holdings’ history with the brand in Wilmington. But a city spokesperson said in late 2025 the developer was no longer pursuing the purchase of the three tracts.
Meanwhile, talk of a prospective Publix coming to the site had thwarted the Northside Food Co-op’s plans to build a nearby store at 900 North 10th St.
Bob Liepa is the city of Wilmington and public safety reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at RLiepa@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: How space planned for a Wilmington grocery store turned into a park
