Surf City could get Wal-Mart

SURF CITY - A commercial development company has met with the Surf City planning department several times regarding property for a Wal-Mart in the town.

Surf City Mayor Zander Guy confirmed that representatives from the real estate development firm Lauth, headquartered in Indianapolis, with a regional office in Charlotte, have been in "constant contact" with the town's planning department during the last couple of months. The firm, which specializes in building office, industrial, health care and retail properties, is seeking about 150 acres of property for a Wal-Mart.

"Lauth representatives are still doing their due diligence - we don't have anything concrete at this time," Guy said. The firm, however, has checked on water and sewer availability and has made a sewer allocation request for 50,000 gallons a day.

"They have also presented the planning department with preliminary site plans," Guy said.

Guy said though the developer has yet to make a formal commitment to build a store in Surf City, he believes the likely location will be on an undeveloped tract of land at the intersection of U.S. 17 and N.C. 210.

"If they do decide on the project ... I think they will close on property located on the north side of N.C. 210 across from Lowe's Home Improvement," Guy said.

Barry Newsome, who sits on the planning board, said he did not sit in on any of the meetings with Lauth and has not seen their preliminary plans. While he did not want to comment on the project until he hears an office proposal, he does feel the site is appropriate.

"I do not have a problem with the location. Historically speaking, you often see a Wal-Mart by a Lowe's or other large retail business," he said.

Attempts to reach Lauth's Charlotte office Monday regarding the project were not successful.

Rumors regarding the construction of a Wal-Mart in the Surf City-Hampstead area have been circulating since 2006, when Lowe's was built. If it comes to fruition, it would be the first Wal-Mart built in Pender County, was listed with a population of 48,600 in the 2006 census.

Contact Topsail area reporter Suzanne Ulbrich at sulbrich@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8466. Visit www. jdnews.com to comment on this report.