As development transforms New Hanover County, some longtime residents are seeing dense forests become patches of dirt right outside their front doors.
Lowell Geiger lives directly adjacent to the site where workers are clearing land for the future Alton Orchard subdivision in Monkey Junction. Just a couple of months ago, Geiger — along with dozens of her neighbors surrounding the property — could look out her window and see a 20-acre forest filled with wildlife.
River Road Construction submitted plans for the new neighborhood in late 2025 officially purchasing the property for $1.8 million in June 2026…