Navassa doesn’t always get the attention that Leland, Southport, or the Brunswick beaches do, but this small riverside town just across the Cape Fear from downtown Wilmington is quietly lining up a lot of public investment. Between the town’s 2026-2027 capital budget, a fall housing-rehabilitation grant application, park upgrades, and a major sewer plant expansion planned nearby, there’s a lot here for homeowners, buyers, and investors to understand. Here’s what we’re watching at Aspyre Collective and what it could mean for you.
Where Navassa Fits in the Brunswick County Picture
Navassa sits in the northeast corner of Brunswick County, along the Cape Fear and Brunswick rivers, a short drive over the bridges into downtown Wilmington. It borders the fast-growing Leland area, yet it has kept a much smaller-town, rural-residential feel with larger lots, river views in places, and a deep local history. For buyers who want a quick commute to Wilmington without the price tags and traffic of the busiest corridors, it’s a town worth knowing.
That proximity is also why the region’s growth keeps reaching Navassa’s doorstep. Brunswick County is often described as the fastest-growing county in North Carolina, and infrastructure decisions being made right now will shape how and where the next wave of homes gets built.
What’s in Navassa’s 2026-2027 Capital Budget
The Town of Navassa’s 2026-2027 budget ordinance, covering the fiscal year that began July 1, 2026, sets aside about $3.23 million in its capital project fund across several projects. According to the ordinance, the largest pieces include:
- A multiuse path, budgeted at about $1.53 million and funded by an NCDOT grant.
- The Indian Creek project, at about $510,000.
- Navassa Waterfront Park, at about $366,000.
- Three bridge crossings, at about $301,000.
- Stormwater improvements, at about $254,000.
- The Moze Heritage project, at about $242,000, plus a smaller gymnasium line item.
A notable detail: the budget lists several of these projects, including stormwater, the waterfront park, Indian Creek, and Moze Heritage, as funded with Kerr-McGee settlement dollars. That money traces back to the cleanup settlement for the former wood-treatment site in Navassa, and the town is putting it toward visible community improvements.
Why this matters for homeowners
Paths, parks, and drainage work are the kind of improvements buyers notice. A walkable or bikeable connection, a usable waterfront park, and better stormwater handling can all make a neighborhood more appealing over time. Budget line items aren’t the same as finished projects, and timelines can shift, so if you’re buying near one of these sites, ask about the current status rather than assuming a completion date.
A Housing Rehabilitation Grant Application
This fall, Navassa pursued a Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) application through the N.C. Department of Commerce. Per the town’s CDBG-NR program page and a public hearing notice for October 5, 2026, the application was due by October 13, 2026. If awarded, the town-wide program would focus on owner-occupied homes for low-to-moderate-income households, with possible rehabilitation, reconstruction when repairs aren’t feasible, and clearance of vacant, dilapidated structures.
The grant is competitive and isn’t guaranteed. But if it’s funded, the effect on the ground can be meaningful: repaired homes, fewer blighted lots, and stronger streetscapes tend to help the whole neighborhood, including nearby property values.
Phoenix Park Gets Restrooms
On the recreation side, the town sought design-build proposals for new ADA-accessible public restrooms at Phoenix Park on Cedar Hill Road, with a contract award scheduled for October 19, 2026, according to the town’s project page. The park already serves a playground, courts, and a softball field, so permanent restrooms are a practical upgrade for families who use it often.
The Navassa Wastewater Plant Expansion
The biggest project near Navassa isn’t the town’s own. As WECT reported on October 27, 2026, Brunswick County expects construction on its Navassa wastewater treatment plant expansion to start in mid-2027. The project is estimated at roughly $173 million, split between the county and H2GO, and would add 3.75 million gallons per day of capacity to the plant’s current 4.975 MGD.
Sewer capacity is one of the main factors that decides where new subdivisions can go. More capacity serving northern Brunswick County generally means more room for new construction in the Leland and Navassa area over the coming years. For current owners, that can bring more neighbors, more services, and more traffic. For buyers, it can mean more choices in new construction down the road.
What Buyers and Sellers Should Keep in Mind
For buyers
- Check the utility setup. Some Navassa-area properties are on public sewer and others are on septic. Confirm which one applies and what it means for future plans.
- Look at the flood map. Being near the rivers is part of Navassa’s appeal, but parts of town sit in or near flood zones. Pull the FEMA flood zone and get insurance quotes during due diligence.
- Ask about nearby projects. A planned path or park nearby can be a plus. Knowing what’s coming helps you judge a home’s long-term value.
For sellers
- Highlight the location. The short drive to downtown Wilmington is a real selling point, especially against busier Leland corridors.
- Mention the upgrades. If your home is close to a funded park, path, or drainage project, it’s worth pointing out to buyers, with accurate status details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Navassa part of Leland?
No. Navassa is its own incorporated town in Brunswick County with its own town council and budget, though it borders the Leland area and shares many of the same roads and services.
When will the Navassa wastewater expansion be done?
Construction is expected to begin in mid-2027, according to the county’s utilities director as reported by WECT. A completion date hasn’t been set publicly, so treat any timeline as an estimate.
Can I apply for the CDBG-NR housing program?
The town’s homeowner application window ran in summer 2026, ahead of the grant submission. If you own a home in Navassa and want to know about future rounds, contact the Town of Navassa directly.
Thinking About Navassa or Northern Brunswick County?
Navassa is one of those places where a little local knowledge goes a long way, from which streets have sewer to which projects are actually funded. If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing in Navassa, Leland, or anywhere in the Cape Fear region, we’d love to help you sort through it. Reach out to Aspyre Collective and let’s talk about your plans.
