Springfield Buc-ee's breaks ground next week for 53,000 square-foot travel center

Andrew Sullender, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read

Buc-ee's breaks ground next week on its 53,000 square-foot, 120 fueling pump gas station and travel center.

The first of the popular Texas-based chain in Missouri, Buc-ee's is known for its large stores, branded merchandise and clean bathrooms that often become a draw for out-of-town tourists.

“Springfield is the Birthplace of Route 66,” said Buc-ee's Director of Real Estate Stan Beard in a statement. “It’s perfectly natural that Buc-ee’s, the ultimate road-trip destination, is coming to this gorgeous stretch of Americana history. We are delighted to be a part of this community and excited to make Springfield our first stop in Missouri.”

Located at 3284 North Mulroy Road just east of Springfield, groundbreaking for the Springfield location will take place at noon on August 23.

Road work on surround areas of I-44 has already begun with Missouri Route 744/Mulroy Road Bridge closed and traffic being diverted along eastbound I-44 traffic for the month of August.

Attendees of the Buc-ee’s Springfield groundbreaking ceremony will include Springfield Mayor Ken McClure and Councilman Abe McGull — who approved two rounds of reimbursement for the public infrastructure improvements Buc-ee's makes. 

Buc-ee's was approved for $4.1 million to be reimbursed to them over a 20-year period  — but only from revenue raised through the public improvements. Buc-ee's also was approved a second round of incentives through a special sales tax that only includes goods purchased at the store, excluding gas sales. Costing $5.1 million, the city will reimburse $9.2 million over a 20-year period between the two packages.

More: Proposed project offers coffee, pickleball on Grant Avenue Parkway. Council shows interest.

Even though the funds don't come directly from the city coffers, before the first round of reimbursements a 50-person protest was held outside City Hall.

A group of protesters gathered outside City Hall before a City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022 to rally against incentives for a Buc-ee's gas station.
A group of protesters gathered outside City Hall before a City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022 to rally against incentives for a Buc-ee's gas station.

Founded in Texas in 1982, Buc-ee’s operates 43 stores across Texas and the South. Since beginning a multi-state expansion in 2019, Buc-ee’s has opened travel centers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Andrew Sullender is the local government reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow him on Twitter @andrewsullender. Email tips and story ideas to asullender@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield Buc-ee's breaks ground next week