BY JULIE BENAMATI
NORTHERN CAMBRIA — After years of grappling with local business owners to sell their properties, Sheetz Inc. is moving forward with plans to build a new, 4,000-square-foot store just a few yards away from an existing site.
John R. Kachur, real estate counsel for the Blair County-based convenience-store giant, said construction could start in 60 to 90 days.
That was welcome news to borough officials, who have fielded more than a decade of complaints about the current store.
It has been deemed too small and is located next to a treacherous curve of Route 219.
Motorists often are seen waiting at the store’s entrances for a vacant fuel pump, and empty parking slots are a rare commodity.
“Our store is doing very well here, and we’re anxious to rebuild it,” Kachur said.
Kachur said Ebensburg Oil & Gas, Al’s Tire, Kerr’s Tavern and the Raymond Whited properties were purchased by Innovative Consulting Group Inc. of Altoona.
“The developer was able to secure the properties and later came to us about building a new store,” Kachur said, adding that Sheetz is leasing the property.
Kachur said the construction schedule will be based on how long it takes to remove existing fuel tanks at the site of the new store.
He said the current Sheetz will remain open until the new store is ready. At that time, the old store will be closed down and its fuel tanks removed.
Kachur told council members the new store will feature all-brick construction and four fuel pumps that will accommodate drivers on both sides.
He said the building will be similar to a store that just replaced a Sheetz along 17th Street in Altoona.
