<\/p>\n
Say goodbye to the graffiti-riddled abandoned M&M truck stop south of Cortez, and say hello to Love\u2019s Travel Stop and Country Store.<\/p>\n
After more than a decade as an eyesore on the south porch of Cortez, the disintegrated truck stop at the corner of County Road G and U.S. 160-491 is proposed for demolition.<\/p>\n
Love\u2019s Travel Stop has been working with the Montezuma County planning department to redevelop the property, said planning director Don Haley.<\/p>\n
The company has a purchase agreement with property owner Jovian Petroleum, and the sale is pending. The project proposal is in the preliminary stages.<\/p>\n
This month, the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety completed an environmental cleanup of fuel-contaminated soils at the site, which was needed for redevelopment to take place.<\/p>\n
At their Thursday meeting, the planning commission recommended that zoning at the site be changed to industrial use and that a high-impact permit be issued for the new truck stop.<\/p>\n
Dave Teyber, an engineer for Love\u2019s, described the travel center. First the old truck stop building and canopies will be demolished and hauled away.<\/p>\n
Love\u2019s development plan includes a convenience store and at least one restaurant. There are five passenger fuel islands and four diesel fueling bays, a truck scale, dog park, RV dump and water and a small propane tank filling station. Parking is planned for 55 to 60 passenger vehicles and 25 to 30 trucks.<\/p>\n
\u201cLoves uses a national contractor, and they hire subcontractors from the local community,\u201d Teyber said.<\/p>\n
He said the details on the restaurant have not been finalized. It might be a food court, a combination of food-service vendors or fast food tenant. A timeline for construction was not revealed.<\/p>\n
A water consultant is studying adequate water service and pressure for the new business.<\/p>\n
The site has access to sewer and power. Part of the planning process for the new business is determining required adequate infrastructure, and whether upgrades are needed, planning officials said.<\/p>\n
Cortez Fire Protection District will give guidance for a fire hydrant location, and pipes servicing the hydrant will be upgraded from a 2-inch line to a 3-inch line, officials said.<\/p>\n
The existing entrances off County Road G will be used for the new truck stop.<\/p>\n
A traffic study to CDOT standards will be conducted at the intersection of Road G and the highway to determine whether additional traffic safety features are needed, Teyber said.<\/p>\n
Love\u2019s, based in Oklahoma City, has more than 530 stores in 41 states, according to its website. The 24-hour fuel station targets high travel areas and truck routes, and caters to professional drivers.<\/p>\n
Teyber expressed confidence in the project, noting that it is contingent on a successful land and infrastructure planning process.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a eyesore for years, a truck stop is a nice marriage for the port of entry weigh station that is next door,\u201d said planning commissioner Rob Pope. \u201cTrucks are already using that access.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to see that site cleaned up,\u201d said planning commissioner Joel Stevenson. \u201c(The truck stop) will provide more employment for the county.\u201d<\/p>\n