The developer of a new Buc-ee’s travel center planned for Ocala is asking the county to waive a topographical survey requirement for the project, saying “no changes have occurred” at the site since the previous survey 12 months ago.
The request will be presented to the Marion County Developmental Review Committee during its regular meeting on Monday morning.
First approved over two years ago in early 2023, the Buc-ee’s Ocala Travel Center will be situated on a 33-acre parcel that is located along NW 35th Street Road, about 1.75 miles south of W Highway 326.
Shortly after it was approved by the county, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis awarded millions of dollars in state funds to the project and its associated highway improvements.
Earlier this year, officials broke ground at the NW 49th Street Interchange where the future facility is being constructed. That ceremony also celebrated the beginning of construction of new auxiliary lanes along Interstate 75.
When it is complete, the new Buc-ee’s will encompass approximately 80,000-square-foot of convenience store space and will feature three fuel canopies that cover approximately 120 fueling stations, 28 electric vehicle charging stations, and eight diesel exhaust fluid positions.
The facility will also feature 750 parking spaces, including 21 that are handicap-accessible and 11 recreational vehicle/bus parking spaces.
The construction of the new diverging diamond interchange at the northwest Ocala site will cost nearly $100 million, according to a project summary maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation.
The interchange and new Buc-ee’s will be situated near new, equestrian-themed gateway signage that was unveiled at the beginning of this year, as well as county markers that were unveiled last year, a new rest area under construction, and several improvements made to the highway in recent months.
Buc-ee’s was founded by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III 1982 in Lake Jackson, Texas. The first store was around 3,000-square-feet in size.
As of this summer, there were approximately 54 Buc-ee’s locations in operation across the United States. According to the company, there are plans to build at least 35 more locations across the country.
There are currently two Buc-ee’s in operation in the state of Florida: One location in Daytona Beach and one in Saint Augustine.
Are you excited for Ocala’s first Buc-ee’s? Do you have plans to visit it when it opens in the future? Share your comments below or, if you have more to say on the topic, write a letter to the editor.