In the Know: RaceTrac plans 2 more stations, stores in East Naples

Q: Would you happen to know what is being built on the corner of Rattlesnake and Collier across from the Publix shopping center? Thanks.

— Jonathan Brown, Naples

Q: Would you know what brand of gas station is going in at the intersection of Rattlesnake Hammock and Collier Boulevard? (In late June) three large gas tanks arrived on the site. Thanks.

— Neal McDonald, Naples

A: A RaceTrac gas station and store is under construction on the southwest corner of Rattlesnake Hammock and Collier Boulevard, and another new location is planned off U.S. 41 in East Naples.

Atlanta-based RaceTrac Petroleum Inc. owns three parcels at Rattlesnake Hammock and Collier Boulevard, creating a 5.4-acre L-shaped property. A 5,411-square-foot convenience store with 16 self-service fueling positions under a canopy will be built at 8483 Collier Blvd., a 2-acre lot on the hard corner. Some of the remaining acreage will be used for access drives to RaceTrac, but two large areas to the south and west of the store will be used for future development, according to its site plan approved in May.

A 4,000-square-foot Clean Machine car wash is planned for the parcel that fronts Rattlesnake Hammock just west of RaceTrac. A pre-application meeting was held in May with the Collier County Growth Management Department, but development plans have not been submitted yet.

The proposed businesses will not have new access drives created off of Collier Boulevard or Rattlesnake Hammock, but rather will connect to two existing private drives off each of these public roads. Access drives to the new businesses will connect to Sequoia Drive off of Collier and Coyote Drive off of Rattlesnake, plans show.

RaceTrac’s site plan, which includes 36 parking spaces and three 20,000-gallon underground fuel tanks, was created by DeLisi Fitzgerald Inc. civil engineers based in Fort Myers. Gates Construction recently broke ground for the RaceTrac, targeted to open in December.

Gates’ involvement also includes site work to accommodate the future developments. Design services will be provided by Georgia-based Hill, Foley, Rossi & Associates, Gates said.

In addition to this location, RaceTrac plans to build its eighth gas station and store in Collier County on 2.23 acres on the northwest corner of U.S. 41 East and Shadowlawn Drive in East Naples. The project will replace a former gas station and auto service business across the street from McDonald’s in Gulf Gate Plaza, as well as some retail and office buildings along Shadowlawn. RaceTrac purchased two of the three properties in June.

“We are finalizing all permits for this location, but expect to start construction in 2019,” said Liz McIntyre, communications manager for the RaceTrac corporation.

“These locations will all be our new store prototype, which features a Swirl World frozen dessert station with up to 10 flavors and 41 toppings and a large coffee area with enough counter space to create the perfect cup of coffee,” McIntyre emailed. “These stores also have a more shoppable layout, ample seating, free Wi-Fi and more lighting in the store and parking lot to deliver a better guest experience. Outside all of our new and updated stores, you’ll find a clean, well-lit parking lot, and thoughtful elements like exterior seating options.”

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