All the preliminary work has been completed for a new travel plaza in far west Emporia.
Brownstone 3 Development out of Topeka has been spearheading the effort to bring a nearly 35-acre shopping center to the area just southwest of US Highway 50 and Graphic Arts for over two years, with a goal of building a hotel, travel plaza, sit-down restaurant, food court and RV park.
Vice President of Operations Darrin Dodge tells KVOE News the street network has been built and all the underground infrastructure, including utilities, has been installed. Holding up above-ground construction is supply chain issues with materials. Dodge says there are currently delays of at least 10 months — and in some cases a year — for certain building components, using roofs and power transformers as examples. Dodge is hoping for word on groundbreaking and above-ground construction “very soon.”
When it comes to potential businesses, Dodge says the travel plaza aspect is working through Sunoco — which may lead to brands like Chevron, Citgo, Conoco, Exxon, Marathon, Mobil, Shell, Texaco or Valero. The hotel and restaurant partners are not being announced, but Dodge says the confirmed and potential businesses are all national brands. Dodge also says there are several potential businesses that may sign onto the travel plaza once construction begins.
Emporia city commissioners approved a development agreement and traffic plans, along with $1 million in general obligation bonds, for the project in August.
