Site plan unveiled for new Casey’s store in Marquette
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor
A site plan for the new Casey’s General Store to be constructed in downtown Marquette was revealed Sept. 20, at the Marquette Council’s regular monthly meeting.
The plan, said A. Leo Pelds, of A. Leo Pelds Engineering Company, is to tear down the current store along with four buildings to the west of the store. The new store will be built on that western portion, with the front of the building facing the river. The eastern portion of the property, in front of the new store, will contain six gas pump islands.
“I don’t anticipate diesel service to this site,” Pelds said.
Casey’s took over ownership of the existing convenience store, which was formerly a Go America store, in Oct. 2013. Since then, the company has looked for ways to enlarge the store’s space to accommodate all its food and beverage offerings, particularly the made-from-scratch pizza program.
The new store, at roughly 3,400 square feet, will be considerably larger than what it is now, Pelds shared.
“It’s the standard size for new Casey’s stores,” he said, noting that it will be an attractive, brick building, like others in the convenience store chain.
Pelds said the new building’s elevation will be raised by six inches, as well, due to the flood plain.
Unlike the existing store, which has access to First Street/Highway 76, the new store will not have access to that street, Pelds said. Rather, four new accesses will be created, two to North Street and two to Edgar Street.
Because of the change, Pelds said Casey’s is requesting that the portion of Edgar Street that runs alongside the property be made a two-way street.
“It would be more functional,” he said.
The access change will take away several street parking spaces. However, said Pelds, 12 parking spaces will be created in front of the building and nine in the back, for employees, “providing more parking in the general area.”
Pelds said a construction start date has not yet been set. Since a portion of the property is in the flood plain, the plans need DNR approval, which could take 90 to 100 days, he explained.
Once construction begins, Pelds said the store will be completed in three to four months.
Since the new store won’t be built right on top of the existing store, Pelds said the existing store will likely remain open through much of construction.
“There won’t be a shutdown for too long,” he mentioned.
“We welcome the new improvements,” said Marquette mayor Larry Breuer following the presentation. “We look forward to the progress and hope for a successful transition.”
Train waits
City manager Denise Schneider said the Canadian Pacific Railroad has assured it will limit the amount of time trains sit at crossings in the community, following recent reports from citizens of up to hour-long waits.
If people experience long wait times in the future, councilman John Ries said he encourages them to contact city hall with the engine number; date, time and location of the blockage; and the length of time the blockage occurred. Schneider can then directly contact the railroad about the issue. Railroad contact information can also be found on the city’s website, cityofmarquetteiowa.com.
On a railroad-related side note, councilwoman Pam Brodie-Fitzgerald said the city is looking into establishing a quiet zone.
Casino
Breuer brought up the recent sale of Lady Luck Marquette’s parent company, Isle of Capri Inc., to Eldorado Resorts Inc., noting that Lady Luck Marquette’s general manager, Don Ostert, said the casino would work to maintain its present employees and continue operating as it has been.
Edgar Street project
The council approved giving Bacon Concrete, of Postville, an additional 30 days to complete the Edgar Street project. Completion of the project, which includes sanitary sewer work and construction of a walking trail between the street and the highway, has been delayed by rain. The project was expected to be completed by the end of September.
Well
The city’s public works director, Jason Sullivan, told the council he will provide two budgetary quotes for treatment of the well at Timber Ridge, which had one spike in radium levels last year, prompting the DNR to force the city to take corrective measures. Throughout the year, Sullivan has investigated several fixes.
“[Treatment] is what we’re going to have to do rather than drill a new well,” he said.
Sullivan said the well’s radium levels are now below the limit, and have been for eight quarters. However, he said, that’s not enough for the DNR to rescind its demand for corrective measures to be taken.