Working to accommodate growth emerged as a theme in this year’s top news topics.
The residential real estate market took some hits, including higher interest rates, but Realtors pointed to some positive indicators as the year wound down. Developers continued to submit commercial real estate projects and follow them through the permitting pipeline.
The city of Wilmington, which was operating out of scattered offices that were in need of expensive renovations, spent $68 million to buy the area’s tallest building for a consolidated campus. Some city officials began moving into the 12-story former PPD headquarters on North Front Street this year, with plans to lease out floors city departments don’t need and sell former office buildings to offset the cost.
As part of another local government decision, New Hanover County moved forward with Project Grace, the transformation of a downtown block that is planned to result in a new Cape Fear Museum and new main branch of the public library as well as private development.
Wilmington International Airport welcomed more passengers and flights as it worked on plans for expansions and additions to accommodate even more business in the future.
Also in 2023, the area’s film industry weathered actors’ and writers’ strikes, and Wilmington’s EUE/Screen Gems studio facilities got a new owner.
TOP STORIES:
- Novant Health Absorbs Pender Hospital
- City Moves Into $68M ‘Skyline Center’
- Downtown Block’s Transformation Begins
- Leland Baseball Stadium Still in Play
- Wilmington MSA Gets Brunswick Back
- EV Materials Firm Promises 500 Jobs
- Realtors Search for Positive Signs
- Area Commercial Projects Roll On
- Airport Numbers, Upgrades Soar
- Studio Sale, Strikes Mark Film’s Year
