On Monday night, the Town of Erwin Planning Board approved the next phase of a proposal for a Quicklee’s Travel Center. The proposed center, intended for both travelers and truck drivers, will be located at the former Ames Plaza, offering gas and dining options. Quicklee’s Director of Real Estate and Development, Lou Terragnoli, presented the plan, which features a 12,000-square-foot building with amenities for residents and travelers, including a quick-service and a full-service restaurant.
The Planning Board raised questions about whether the Travel Center would offer overnight parking and if it could be classified as a truck stop. The Planning Board determined that the center would not qualify as either due to trucks being parked inside a three-sided structure with a roof overnight. Furthermore, the business is estimated to cater to 85% customer, car, or commuter car traffic, with only 15% being truck-based.
In the latest concept plan, Quicklee’s intends to relocate the current Firestone Complete Auto Care building from the front of the Travel Center to the back near the truck bays, requiring a separate application. The existing Firestone building is currently encroaching on its own lot, an issue inherited by the applicant. McCarthy added that the Planning Board will need to review various aspects of the new Firestone building.
Quicklee’s team will consider the Planning Board’s feedback and make necessary adjustments, with the goal of returning in June. To proceed with the proposal, the team must conduct a traffic study to identify and mitigate potential issues. Once the final plan is under consideration, a public meeting will be held for community members to comment on the proposed development before the Planning Board gives its final approval or disapproval.
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