Residents wonder how parking and traffic will look if a grocery store comes to Downtown Wilmington

Some say the area is a "food desert" because there's limited access to healthy and affordable food. Some people are concerned that it would be a parking desert if the store went up.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY)–There are mixed reactions in Downtown Wilmington about the need for a grocery store. Some say the area is a “food desert” because there’s limited access to healthy and affordable food. Some people are concerned that it would be a parking desert if the store went up.

Downtown Wilmington is undergoing the demolition of old city offices. Now that the Wilmington City Council has approved an upset bid process to sell land in the downtown area, there are talks of a new grocery store.

Currently, Cape Fear Holdings has a bid for $1.7 million for the property, and the company plans to build a grocery store. However, some people are worried about two things.

“I do think it will bring traffic,” said Carson Kohl.
“I don’t know what the parking would be like because it doesn’t look like a huge lot,” Rachel Lloyd.
Reporter: “Do you think traffic will be a concern?” Definitely,” said Lid Bryant.

Traffic and parking concerns are the first things on many minds.

“I think they should plan to park,” said Adaneli Ascencio. “A lot of government officials work Downtown, and it’s already difficult- with getting parking tickets every day.”

“I feel like there’s usually parking open on the streets that are over by the neighborhoods. That doesn’t seem to fill up too much,” Lloyd said.

If this goes according to plan, city leaders say the store will reside across from Thalian Hall on Chestnut Street. It’s perfect for residents who live Downtown.

“There really isn’t a grocery store Downtown. So, it’ll be convenient for my girlfriend and I,” Kohl said.
“I can’t tell you how many times I was drunk, and I was like, ‘It’ll be great if I had someplace to go and get some food,'” Bryant explained.

The nearest store chain is Food Lion, which is two miles away. Many say they are happy to hear the store is coming.

“Right now, I’m looking for a screwdriver. I can’t find one because there’s no grocery store,” Bryant shared. “Then bam! There’s a grocery store coming! It’s like Jesus wanted it to be here!”

The location of the grocery store is not definite at this time. Under state law, if no higher bids are presented, the sale will move forward after December 19th.

The City of Wilmington says parking and traffic concerns will be fully addressed by the project as it works through the development process. There are also two public parking decks directly across the street from the proposed grocery store.