What's happening to this former Walgreens in Wilmington?

Madison Lipe, Wilmington StarNews
Updated ·1 min read
After being originally rejected by the Wilmington City Council, plans for a Circle K once again go before the planning commission in early June.
After being originally rejected by the Wilmington City Council, plans for a Circle K once again go before the planning commission in early June.

A developer is still working to bring a Circle K to the former Walgreens on Dawson Street.

The original rezoning request was denied by the Wilmington City Council, but the applicant Andy Priolo with Circle K Stores, Inc. plans to bring a new conditional rezoning application before the planning commission again on June 5.

The site has been vacant since 2021 and has become a detriment to the surrounding growth, says the application.

The property is currently zoned Urban Mixed-Use and the applicant wishes to change the property to a conditional, commercial services zoning for general retail and fuel pumps at the site.

The developer held a community meeting on April 10 at the MLK Community Center to receive input from neighbors.

What do the plans include?

The store itself is planned to be 5,200 square feet with 20 parking spaces and 14 fuel pump spaces.

The plans also include amenities such as a public area with benches, bike racks and a pocket park that will include seating and greenery.

Currently, a Wells Fargo ATM sits at the site, but it will be removed from outside and placed inside the new building.

The site will be accessible from Dawson, 16th and 17th streets and road improvements are proposed on Dawson Street to improve traffic flow and congestion near the adjacent intersections.

What are the next steps?

The proposed Circle K at the former Dawson Street Walgreens will go before the City of Wilmington's planning commission on June 5. The proposed plans include a 5,200 Circle K store with 14 fuel pump spaces and extra amenities such as a pocket park.
The proposed Circle K at the former Dawson Street Walgreens will go before the City of Wilmington's planning commission on June 5. The proposed plans include a 5,200 Circle K store with 14 fuel pump spaces and extra amenities such as a pocket park.

The plans will be reviewed in the city's June 5 planning commission meeting and will the commission will give their recommendation for the proposal.

Then the plans will go before the city council for final rezoning decision.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Circle K proposed at former Walgreens in Wilmington, NC