Progress is behind the scenes or at ground level — literally — at two major retail developments in west Emporia.
City Special Projects Coordinator Jim Witt says the process to expand the Emporia Pavilions at 24th and Industrial is finalizing both plans and financing. The third phase of retailers will include Five Below, Old Navy and Ulta Beauty as announced in April, but construction may be three months away from starting on those stores.
Meanwhile, construction is into the early stages at a better than 30-acre travel plaza near US Highway 50 and Graphic Arts Road. Ground was broken in April on the travel plaza, with grading now underway for the foundation and pad work. Groundbreaking on the strip center is likely later this year.
LV Petroleum will be the operator, bringing a nationally-branded fuel supplier to the development. The name is under negotiation at this time. Besides the travel plaza and strip mall, the overall project is set to bring restaurants, hotels and an RV park to the property.
