Marseilles Planning Commission on board with proposed I-80 truck stop

The Marseilles Planning Commission got the proverbial ball rolling on a proposed annexation of a vacant property adjacent to Interstate 80, which is planned to be developed into a truck stop, with the developer’s attorney optimistically stating, “We’re looking forward to being part of the business community of Marseilles.”

The Planning Commission seemed enthusiastic about the proposal as well, planning to revisit it at its next meeting in late January.

The lot at 3033 E. 24th Road – where East 24th Road meets I-80 – would potentially be split into two separate lots, with 1.25 acres housing the currently empty restaurant and the other 4.05 acres developed into the new truck stop. The current lot in recent years has been home to the Hilltop Firepit Restaurant and Lounge, and before that, Taco Time.

Germane to the plan is the city’s ongoing efforts to extend utility service – in particular water and sewer – to Interstate 80.

“Hopefully in the spring we’re going to be applying for loans through the [Environmental Protection Agency] and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we’re going to pursue two avenues,” Mayor Jim Hollenbeck said. “We already have a grant request in to Springfield trying to get $4.3 million to extend the water and sewer out there.

“But in the event that doesn’t come through, we need to have an alternate plan of financing. Even when we get construction started, we can still apply for additional grants to help us out or pay [the city] back.”

The proposed annexation agreement includes the city waiving any potential connection fees associated with delivering water and sewer to the location.

The hope of the developer is to be ready to begin construction in the late winter/early spring.

The Planning Commission also discussed the use of trailers as storage units or building materials, the conditional use of modular homes and metal roofs in the city while tabling the planned review of the city’s comprehensive land-use plan.