Six acres of the overall area was previously slated for development as the Wilmington Hotel and Spa. The plan was to build a 'by-right' development' — meaning it didn't require rezoning to move forward, only technical review by the county. But the project stalled out after it was proposed early last December.
Related: Wilmington Hotel and Spa proposed for west bank of the Cape Fear River
The land is part of Eagles Island, a 3,000 area where conservationists hope to create the Eagles Island Nature Park.
Unique Places to Save, a North Carolina-based nonprofit, is spearheading an effort to raise $16,000,000 by the end of the year to purchase the land on Eagles Island across the Cape Fear River from Historic Downtown Wilmington.
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Once the land is purchased, Unique Places to Save aims to work with local partners to improve the site for outdoor recreation, education, and the conservation of natural resources.
Diamondback Development, the current landowner, and a developer of coastal resorts across the southeastern U.S, Bobby Ginn, have spent the past four years securing permits, utilities, plans, and county Technical Review Committee approvals for the “Wilmington Hotel and Spa.”
According to Unique Places to Save, if acquisition efforts are unsuccessful, Diamondback Development will continue to work with Bobby Ginn to develop the land. Unique Places to Save says it has placed $100,000 at risk to put the land under contract, but it is in need of public and political support to help acquire and protect this "valuable community asset." The non-profit also says it is pursuing significant grant funding from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund.
Find more information about the project and contributions here.
