A gas station chain could open its 11th location in New Hanover County

Another location of a chain convenience store and gas station could be headed to Wilmington. Plans were recently submitted for a Circle K, which would mark its 11th location in New Hanover County.

While site plans for the proposed Circle K were previously rejected by the Wilmington City Council in February , the council approved rezoning at its July meeting.

Here's what to know.

Where would it go?

Circle K is proposed for development at 1618 Dawson St. in Wilmington. The spot was formerly a Walgreens, according to previous StarNews reporting . Prior to becoming a Walgreens in 2019, the site operated as an Eckerd Drug and then as a Rite Aid. A vacant 11,000 square foot structure and 33,000 square feet of parking have remained on-site since 2021.

What are the plans?

Plans include a 5,200-square-foot one-story building, 14 fuels pumps beneath a fuel canopy, 20 parking spaces, and green space, according to conceptual site plans produced by the Timmons Group. In addition, six bicycle parking spaces and public benches are included on the property.

Previous Coverage: Development plans for former Walgreens site rejected. Here's why.

Previous Coverage: A gas station could be coming to the former Walgreens on Dawson Street. Here's what to know.

Developers would demolish the existing structure as part of the proposed redevelopment, Amy Schaeffer, representative of the Circle K applicant, said at the July city council meeting. A drive-thru ATM currently located outside on-site would be brought inside of the new 24-hour convenience store for customer use.

The proposed Dawson Street location will have four access points -- one on S. 17th Street, one on S. 16th Street, and two on Dawson Street.

What's around the property?

A few community members present at the public hearing expressed support for the development, adding that the chain could improve competition among other gas stations in the area. A Sunoco and Mobil gas station exist within half-a-mile of the proposed Circle K. Others community members urged the council to consider the needs of the surrounding community, suggesting alternative uses for the 1618 Dawson St. location.

Ultimately, city council approved a rezoning for the nearly 1.8-acre site by a 4-3 vote at the July meeting. The property zoning changed from Urban Mixed-use District to Commercial Services Conditional District, allowing for general retail use with accessory fuel pumps.

Other New Hanover County locations

Here are addresses for Circle K locations across Wilmington and New Hanover County:

• 2375 S. 17th St.
• 3739 Carolina Beach Road
• 6759 Carolina Beach Road
• 1711 Eastwood Road
• 6330 Market St.
• 1620 Airport Blvd.
• 6648 Gordon Road
• 2400 N. College Road
• 3053 Castle Hayne Road
• 5717 Castle Hayne Road

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: A gas station chain could open its 11th location in New Hanover County