Developers gathered community input this week about the look of a mixed-use project coming soon to Carolina Beach.

The Proximity at Carolina Beach by Cape Fear Development is expected to include apartments, offices and other commercial space, including retail establishments and restaurants on vacant property at Lake Park Boulevard and St. Joseph Street. 

Currently, the development team is working on obtaining a grading release permit, which is expected to be attained this year, before breaking ground, according to an email from CFD.

On Wednesday, Cape Fear Development held an event welcoming members of the community, which about 100 people attended, the email stated.

Locals who participated Wednesday evening were asked to weigh in on questions concerning the development's design, including options for colors, windows and other elements that are being explored as some elements of the architecture are finalized, CFD officials said.

Brian Eckel, partner at CFD, said in the email, “We want to make sure that the Proximity is a natural fit for Carolina Beach on day one, like it’s always belonged, and we’re confident it will be."

CFD is the development division of Wilmington-based commercial real estate firm Cape Fear Commercial.

The group has already worked through the process of traffic improvements for the Proximity at Carolina Beach and is coordinating with the town of Carolina Beach to incorporate its multi-use path with the Island Greenway system, "which will make the Proximity a strong walkable hub for the town’s commercial district," the email stated.

Commercial leasing for the project is being led by Rob High, associate broker with Cape Fear Commercial.

According to the email, construction on the Proximity at Carolina Beach is expected to take about 18 months to finish.

CFD is also working on developments with the Proximity brand elsewhere in the region, including the private portion of the New Hanover County Government Center property's redevelopment and two along the Cape Fear River – The Proximity at Watermark and The Proximity at Dram Tree Point.