Benton mayor to renegotiate to lower price for proposed Buc-ee’s land, new road in works

BENTON, Ark. – A city of Benton commission has proposed the mayor ask for a lower price for land it had sold for a Buc-ee’s travel center location in exchange for other benefits to the city.

City communications director Matt Thibault said CSMS Management LLC had entered into an agreement with the city in July 2023 to purchase 29 acres off Interstate 30 exit 114 for $2.25 million. The city is still working with the group to finalize the purchase but its planning commission has already approved landscaping plans and median buffers, with the approval of a sign pending.

On the week of July 15, the city received notice that part of the anticipated construction for the Buc-ee’s was a road off the rear of the property to Highway 229. Since this road would adjoin a planned city RV park, the Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission asked Mayor Tom Farmer on July 17 to negotiate with CSMS for a lower land price in exchange for the city’s access to the road.

“It was a mutually agreed upon project,” Thibault said, explaining that CSMS had approached the city about negotiating for road use versus land price.

Thibault said the A&P Commission recommended lowering the price to $800,000 in exchange for giving the city full use and access to the road. He said the city ultimately intends to spend $8 million in parks and recreation facilities in the RV park area.

Thibault confirmed that the agreement with the lower land price and road access has been submitted to CSMS.

This will be the first Buc-ee’s in Arkansas. The closest Buc-ee’s is in Springfield, Missouri.

Buc-ee’s was founded in Texas and continues to expand across the South. All centers include 80 to 100 gas pumps and a broad shopping area with popular food offerings.

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