Local leaders will consider putting $6.7 million into the design and construction of a new industrial park in northern New Hanover County.

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners will discuss a master plan for a 320-acre industrial park off of Holly Shelter Road at its meeting on Monday and a budget amendment to pay for the design and construction of the park’s first phase.

On behalf of the county, Wilmington Business Development contracted with Alliance Consulting Engineers to prepare a master plan for the land on Holly Shelter Road for its development as an industrial business park, according to the meeting’s agenda.

The work will include due diligence services, a conceptual master plan and preliminary cost options for the park. The study area encompasses a 52-acre tract donated to New Hanover County last year by Sidbury Land & Timber, another 200 acres the county has the option to buy from Sidbury Land & Timber and an additional 70 acres owned by Sidbury Land & Timber, according to the agenda.

The entire site – including the privately owned 70 acres – could accommodate an estimated 3.2 million square feet of industrial space, the agenda states. Needed infrastructure investments would include the design and construction of a road along with water and wastewater improvements and a pump station.

The first phase of the project would install infrastructure to serve the 52-acre donated tract of land. The following phases would provide the infrastructure needed to develop the 200 acres the county has the option to purchase. 

Installing infrastructure for the entire park is expected to cost approximately $18.9 million, according to the agenda. At this point, only the design of the full park and the construction of infrastructure for the park’s first phase are recommended.

It’s expected to take a year to design roadway, water and wastewater infrastructure for the first phase, the agenda states. The project’s bidding and construction are expected to take another 15 months.

Designing and building the park’s first phase will cost an estimated $6.7 million, according to the agenda. The county plans to fund the cost through loan proceeds.