Over the berm and out of site of Interstate 10 East access road traffic, a Caterpillar sheepsfoot and track loader push dirt, rock and gravel around, prepping the area at the U.S. 87 dead-end for the inevitable — the Buc-ee's Family Travel Center.
The long-awaited, much-anticipated and often-delayed opening of the $38 million, 53,000 square-foot facility is still 16-to-18 months away, according to a Buc-ee's spokesman.
Buc-ee's in 2016 announced plans for a $38 million store at the Interstate 10 and U.S. 87 junction in Boerne, with an initial opening date of summer 2020.
The project has faced many delays in the nine years since. The arrival of each new year seemed to be accompanied by new Buc-ee's construction launch dates or anticipated opening dates.
Chris Shadrock, Boerne communications director, Wednesday said Buc-ee's notified the city that crews have started initial work at the site.
"We anticipate preliminary grading at the site will begin in the coming days as the grading permit by the city has been approved,” Shadrock said.
The grading permit, he said, applies to city projects for utility relocation and establishment of the roadway, Buc-ee's Way.
“This is a necessary initial step and only applies to the future street and public infrastructure improvements needed at the site,” he said.
The city continues to work with Buc-ee's on their design and infrastructure (i.e. building and parking) plans, which still need to be approved and permitted, he added.
A statement from the firm’s general counsel stated the firm is “cautiously optimistic” about beginning construction this summer.
While Boerne was chosen in 2016 for a Buc-ee's site, officials estimated a finishing date of late 2019 or early 2020. That never happened.
Nor did the 2021 estimate of a build coming soon, with completion in 2023.
Similarly, a 2022 release targeted a 2025 store opening. That release said Buc-ee's would bring more than 175 new jobs ahead.
The first Buc-ee's opened in 1982 in Lake Jackson, Texas. The chain has opened 50 stores, with construction planned in several states, including three in Florida. While the Boerne site has been referred to in all media releases as a 53,000 square-foot structure, its Luling, Texas store is the largest convenience store in the world, at 75,593 square feet.
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