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Cornelius News

C-Store plan moves forward, along with twin roundabouts

QT: IT LOOKS LIKE THEY’RE COMING AFTER ALL

Aug. 20. By Dave Vieser. It’s taken much longer than expected but all signs point to a new QT convenience store opening in Cornelius sometime next year. The demolition of the old Acropolis Restaurant building, along with the DOT’s decision on traffic improvements at Catawba and US 21 would seem to pave the way. The demolition of the old Acropolis Restaurant building, along with the DOT’s decision on traffic improvements at Catawba and US 21 would seem to pave the way.

“We are still moving forward with the design for the dual roundabouts,” NCDOT spokeswoman Jennifer Thompson said on July 19.

The entire project, which called for a 5,700 square foot QT had been on hold waiting for the DOT to finalize its plans for the Catawba/Hwy. 21 intersection. Twin roundabouts

on US 21, one south and one north of Catawba Avenue were chosen over other options which would have shunted turning traffic through the current intersection.

The twin roundabout plan was favored by most in the Smithville community, but was not popular with either QT or Cashion’s, which has a convenience store on the southwest corner.

In fact, last fall, QT had said “if the DOT decides to use the twin roundabout plan, we will not be developing a store in the town of Cornelius.”

More recently, they’ve become “hopeful.”

“We remain hopeful that at some point we can build a brand new QT on the site, stay tuned,”  QuikTrip spokesman Mike Thornbrugh said, explaining that the company was still “working on it.”

Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam admits progress at the site has been painfully slow.

“I have asked Town staff to work closely with QT as they seek to resolve issues with NCDOT and the new right-of-way being acquired for the new dual roundabouts” Washam said.

At last check, the Town had provided a preliminary approval to the amended QT site plan with the new dual round-about right-of-way. This will allow QT to go directly to Mecklenburg County to obtain the required permits for the new development.

I-77 toll lane bonus allocation money would help fund intersection improvements at the Catawba/21 intersection.

Meanwhile, demolition is expected to soon commence on the Days Inn, north of Catawba Avenue on Holiday Lane.

A new expanded State Employees Credit Union (SECU) branch will be constructed at the site, which will include an 8,500 square foot building with five drive-through lanes and ample room for parking.