Burgaw prepares for population spike as it approves more housing developments downtown

As growth continues in Burgaw, a developer is looking to bring a new subdivision near the heart of Burgaw.

Andrew Smith, owner of Hampstead-based NXTLEVL, LLC, made a request to use close to 3 acres for the Coastline Station subdivision on the Bridgers Street Extension. The project was presented during a public hearing about the piece of land with seven lots, which could be used for single-family homes.

Smith is also a broker and president of Coastal Realty Associates, which manages properties throughout the Wilmington area. Currently, the business has 12 houses on the market for Burgaw, ranging from $139,000 to $1.7 million.

According to Pender County records, the property is owned by Mark Coston, of Mount Royal, N.J. The total value of it is more than $89,000.

The proposal is one of several set for Burgaw, a town of more than 4,000 people. RKM Properties, a business owned by Michael Pearsall received approval for a four-building project consisting of a barbershop, retail and residential space near the intersection of South Dudley and West Satchwell streets.

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Another on the way is a 192 multi-family apartment complex near U.S. 117 Bypass South on 16.8 acres. Hawthrone Residential Acquisitions, LLC received approval from town officials in the summer for pre-construction work. Some of the planned amenities include a clubhouse, swimming pool, and garages for vehicles. According to a document provided by the North Carolina Department of Transportation for a traffic study, the build year was listed for 2024.

Following the announcement, mayor Olivia Dawson said the project will be a great addition for Burgaw.

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"Offering a nice housing option for many, this will allow us to accommodate more residents, which will support our local businesses," Dawson said in June. "I hope that these contribute to more walkable communities and increase some development opportunities while supporting our small-town character."

Richard Johnson, founder of Burgaw Now, also expressed the need for housing as revitalization efforts continue.

"From my standpoint, the prime market is the young professionals who can't find housing in Wilmington because it's so expensive," Johnson said previously. "And plus, Wilmington is getting busier and busier, so there's some appeal to be able to escape, get out of town and get to a more quiet, sort of, Mayberry neighborly type of place that I think Burgaw is going to quickly become."

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Burgaw approves plans for more homes near downtown