NEW HANOVER COUNTY — New Hanover County commissioners unanimously approved Monday two more land sales within Blue Clay Business Park. The soon-to-be developed 10.5 acres will lead to a $15-million economic investment.
The move comes two months after commissioners voted on the first property sale within the northern industrial park; Francini Inc. spent $250,000 for 6.25 acres, with a four-year option to purchase 7 more acres.
READ MORE: NHC commissioners to vote on first land sale in Blue Clay Business Park
At Monday’s meeting, commissioners approved a $233,750 sale of 5.5 acres to Coastal Millwork Supply Co. and a $213,350 sale for 5 acres to FTT Cabinetry.
Both are already established businesses in the county, operating for more than 20 years.
The county intends to sell off the 120 acres of the park, with more than 40 buildable acres on the back end of 4101 Blue Clay Road still available for purchase. Land is priced at $42,500 per acre.
All parcels are being sold in the upset bid process, a 10-day procedure required by general statute for county-owned property sales. The buyer is required to put down a deposit, 5% of the bid. Anyone can increase the bid by at least 10% of the first $1,000 and 5% of the remainder.
While the move will bring more jobs and economic impact to the region, the property closings are all contingent upon the installation of water and sewer infrastructure to the northern property.
The goal is to have water and sewer in place by December 31, 2023, which commissioner Rob Zapple said in the developer world “is like tomorrow.”
“Whatever entity it is, we need to kick in, need to light a fire under them and get this water and sewer here,” he said Monday.
In 2021, New Hanover County dedicated $3.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for extending Cape Fear Public Utility Authority water and sewer to the Blue Clay Business Park. County manager Chris Coudriet said the construction work was finally bid out, but commissioners have not yet taken a vote, which will likely happen in May.
Design plans are being executed by engineering firm McKim and Creed and the chosen construction firm will install utilities, roads and handle erosion control, clearing and grading.
According to the request for proposals, work is expected to be done within nine months of a notice to proceed, cutting it very close to the county’s end-of-year deadline for infrastructure installation.
Coudriet also came to the defense of staff and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority.
“There were some changes [NC]DOT required about placement of the water and sewer that led to a 180-degree change from starting,” he said. “To be fair, the engineer and county staff had to go back and redesign plans based on the change in DOT policy.”
The initial design had water and sewer lines being installed in the road rights of way, county spokesperson Alex Riley explained.
“However, we were informed that [NC]DOT had a policy change and could not allow road right of way if they were going to take ownership and maintenance of the road,” he said. “Learning this, the county redesigned the project to remove the infrastructure from being located in future DOT right of way because it’s the county’s intent for DOT to take ownership of the roads.”
Still, Francini plans to close on its land purchase in May and follow with construction of its 100,000-square-foot distribution facility.
“We haven’t even run water and sewer to that park yet and people are kind of interested in buying it,” commissioner chair Bill Rivenbark said.
Coastal Millwork Supply, currently located at 1301 S. 13th St., is a supply company that builds and sells trim, doors, cabinets and closet storage across the southeast.
It has outgrown its space and is looking to expand. Wilmington Business Development CEO Scott Satterfield is negotiating the terms with future tenants of the land and said the company plans to build a 55,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and 7,000-square-foot office space.
“Our goal is to keep this growing company, with business across the southeast, here in New Hanover County,” Satterfield told commissioners.
Coastal Millwork is estimated to make a $7.5-million investment, with another potential $3 million for future expansion. Plans for additional growth could include adding 11,500 more square feet of manufacturing space and 3,000 for offices. Coastal Millworks would bring 25 new jobs to the area, increasing its staff to 75.
FFT Cabinetry is in a similar industrial sector as Coastal, with a focus on kitchens, bathrooms and custom pieces. Currently located in Dutch Square Industrial Park, it plans to expand and needs more room to do so.
The company would invest $5 million to $7.5 million initially to build a 50,000 square foot manufacturing operation, including office space and a showroom. There are plans to add another 25,000 square feet in the future. FFT will double its staff, bringing in another 10 new jobs to the county.
All three companies — Francini, Coastal Millwork and FTT — would create a $30 million community impact, create more than 100 jobs, and 350,000 square feet of Class-A industrial space upon buildout.
“One thing I want to make sure with our staff is that when we finish this park it looks as nice as Pender Commerce Park. I want it to look like someone’s front yard,” Rivenbark said.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect no contractor has yet been awarded a bid for infrastructure work. Commissioners are expected to vote next month.
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