If the city approves a rezoning request under consideration next week, the second phase of a project that officials say has helped transform the south side of Wilmington moves another step closer to reality.

“Tribute Companies is planning to redevelop the industrial property across from the Satellite Bar into a mixed use second phase to its South Front Apartments, a successful redevelopment of abandoned public housing into environmentally friendly Class-A apartments,” said Mark Maynard, manager of the company that owns the property in question at 1510 S. 3rd St., in an email this week. “A rezoning from Light Industrial to Urban Mixed Use would enable South Front Phase II to transform an industrial warehouse complex into 50 multifamily residential units and over 3,000 square feet of commercial space. Tribute is currently seeking tenants for the commercial space that will contribute to the vibrancy of the flourishing South Front area.”

The rezoning request is scheduled for a public hearing during the Wilmington Planning Commission's meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 102 North Third St.

“The property is currently vacant, with slim outlook for occupancy by any light industrial-type uses,” the rezoning application for the 2.43 acres, which currently holds the 3rd St. Business Center, says.

Paul D'Angelo, planning manager for the Choice Neighborhoods in the Southside area for the Wilmington Housing Authority, on Thursday described the impact South Front Apartments (formerly Nesbitt Courts) has had on the community, from his point of view.

“I think it took what was considered a community eyesore for the longest time because it had been an old public housing site that had been abandoned ... and turned it into this great kind of hipster community,” D'Angelo said. “I think it's where a lot of locals who work downtown have chosen to live. It's also helped with creating more of a mixed-income community.”

He said a mixture of housing helps keep a city from having a concentration of poverty in one particular area, something that can serve as a detriment for residents and surrounding property owners.

“It doesn't work economically; it doesn't work socially,” D'Angelo said.

He said projects like South Front Apartments, and infrastructure changes the Choice Neighborhoods grant program and WHA have encouraged and helped implement, including better lighting, new sidewalks and efforts to cope with derelict houses and vacant lots, aids in a complete transformation.

“It's improving the perception, and it is building that foundation for investment. Those are No. 1 and No. 2 on our list of what we decided from the get-go” that the Southside needs, D'Angelo said. “It was never as bad as people thought, and we're trying to make it as good as it can be.”

The city's staff has recommended approval of the rezoning request, saying in planning documents that it is a reasonable one that is also in the public interest.

"The corridor along S. 3rd street and adjacent properties are already zoned UMX. The UMX code is very design specific to assure compatibility with the urban fabric of the area," says the rezoning application, made by Design Solutions owner Cindee Wolf on behalf of Maynard's Peachtree Ventures, the limited liability corporation that owns the property. "Redevelopment of the site will go through the full site development review process prior to permitting for renovation. Site aesthetics will be greatly improved as any project will be required to bring it into full compliance with current standards and regulations."