What's happening at the former Kmart in Wilmington? Here's what we know

Since Wilmington’s Kmart closed in 2017, its former building has sat quietly on South College Road in Wilmington.

But the vacant building has remained the subject of much public speculation – something Jon Barker learned last month when he posted to a local Facebook group about the site. Barker works nearby at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and regularly walks near the property during breaks throughout the workday.

His post sparked hundreds of comments. Some posited future uses for the property, which ranged from apartments and new retail to an indoor shooting range and a go kart track, while others speculated about who owned the site.

Barker said he made the post to start a public conversation and to gather information about the site. He also wanted to put pressure on owners to improve the building, which he calls an “eyesore.”

“I want to see a thriving business there,” Barker said.

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Who owns the property?

The former Kmart property is owned by Z A Sneedens Sons, Inc., according to New Hanover County property records. The company purchased the nearly 13-acre site at 819 S. College Road in 1972.

Property records show the company also owns the former Burger King location at 805 S. College Road.

When did Kmart close?

Kmart closed in April 2017. The Wilmington location was one of 78 stores nationwide that the former retail giant closed in the first half of that year.

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What’s the status of the property?

The 117,346-square-foot building is listed for lease by a Charlotte-based real estate agent. A brochure detailing the property notes it could be leased for a single tenant or split up for multiple tenants.

The city of Wilmington hasn’t received any applications for redevelopment on the site within the last year, according to city spokesperson Dylan Lee, and a New Hanover County database shows no new permits have been issued for the site in the last two years.

Was a development previously proposed?

Yes. Developers pitched a new apartment complex for the site in October 2017, according to past StarNews reporting.

The complex of one-, two- and four-bedroom apartments, could have housed nearly 900 residents. Plans also included building new retail spaces along with parking decks and surface parking. Those did not come to fruition.

Does UNCW have any plans to buy the site?

Since the site is so close to UNCW, some have speculated the university should buy and redevelop the property. But there are no plans for that.

“The university doesn't have plans to purchase, redevelop or lease the site at this time,” Andrea Weaver, UNCW’s chief marketing and communications officer, wrote in an email to the StarNews.

What's in the works nearby?

On the site of a former Honda dealership next to Kmart, a new apartment and retail project is taking shape. Project plans include 298 apartments along with 15,000 square feet of retail space, said Mariana Molina, founder of Bella Vista Development.

The project has faced some delays during its technical review from the city, but Molina said they plan to start construction by the end of this year. Construction is expected to last two years.

The city of Wilmington has received no other applications for projects near the Kmart site, according to Lee.

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What does the city envision for the area?

In its comprehensive plan, the city of Wilmington identifies the site as an urban mixed-use center and an area of opportunity. The plan “calls for a mix of compatible uses with higher residential densities, well designed public spaces, and a well-connected vehicular and pedestrian network,” Lee wrote in an email to the StarNews.

Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at edill@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What's happening at Wilmington's former Kmart?