City may ink deal with truck stop tonight

The Ritzville City Council is extending its regular meeting to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 7, for the purpose of continuing discussions regarding the developer agreement with Love’s Travel Stop and Country Store.

Tuesday the council went into executive session at the end of its meeting to be updated by city attorney Mark DeWulf on the progress of contract negotiations. A meeting with Love’s representatives was planned for Wednesday to possibly reach agreement on a contract that will bring the company to Ritzville.

Depending on the outcome of those discussions, the council plans to meet Thursday night to be updated again and potentially vote to approve an agreement.

In November, The Journal reported that the project could bring 65 to 75 news jobs to the community. The project has been in the discussion and development stage for a handful of years.

According to information provided by the city, the project would be constructed on 9.688 acres of land along State Route 261 across the street from Big Bend Electric Cooperative.

The new facility is expected to have a gas and diesel refueling center, truck tire service, fast food restaurant and convenience store. The restaurant and store will consume 8,900 square feet of space. Paved parking for 144 vehicles is planned.

One of the major issues has been who will pay for the installation of 2,200 lineal feet of water and sewer lines from the city’s systems to the property, which currently lies outside of the city limits.

The developer’s agreement, which hasn’t been made public due to being preliminary in nature, is expected to address that and more.

There may be an executive session at the start of the Thursday night council session.