A project now more than 5 years in the making saw the first movement of dirt Thursday afternoon, with the full range of work set to begin late next week.
We’re speaking of course of the West Emporia Travel Plaza, which had its official groundbreaking ceremony on site just south of US Highway 50 between Graphic Arts and Overlander Road. This was an exciting moment for both developers and local officials, as it came nearly six years after the original plans were announced in January of 2020.
Brownstone 3 COO Darrin Dodge says Thursday was an exciting step in what has been, at times, a frustrating process that really began to see speed bumps with the arrival of the COVID-19 virus, just a short time after the project was first announced.
During his interview with local media Thursday, Dodge announced that the first wave of work will include the construction of a One9 fuel station. One9 is a nationally recognized brand under the Pilot umbrella, a sister company to Pilot Flying J, which will serve as the flag for the new development.
City Manager Trey Cocking says the addition of yet another nationally recognized name for the community is an exciting prospect.
Some have stated concerns with locating yet another gas station in the area, which already houses Flying J and Casey’s and is also set to welcome QuikTrip in the very near future. Dodge, however, is not among them, saying he believes a little competition is not a bad thing, adding he feels it is important to provide both residents and visitors with a variety of brand options.
Dodge says they are eyeing mid-spring, likely April, of next year as the completion date for the One9 facilities construction. Cocking says it is an ambitious timetable but one he is confident they can hit, despite the roadblocks that have set the project back in the past.
The gas station is just one of several aspects of the overall development, which Dodge has said includes plans for a hotel, food court, sit-down restaurant and an upscale RV Park. Dodge did note Thursday that while the RV Park is still a concept for the development, he is not certain at this time if it will become a reality.
Nonetheless, Dodge tells KVOE News there has been a great deal of interest and excitement expressed in the plaza from nationally known brands; however, he could not at this time divulge the names of said entities. The full slate of dirtwork on the project is planned to begin by mid to late next week, according to Dodge.
All told, the plaza is a roughly $50 million investment.
