Hotel, restaurant, truck stop were proposed in Steuben County. Where does project stand?

While the pace of development hasn't quite matched the company's name, Quicklee's is still looking to build a major travel center at the old Ames Plaza site in Steuben County, located at the corner of Victory Highway and Erwin Hollow Road just off I-86.

Erwin Deputy Town Manager Melissa Greenthal said plans for the site include construction of a 48-room hotel, a fueling station, an electric vehicle charging station, a quick service and sit-down restaurant, and a large convenience store.

Quicklee's first presented plans for the site just outside Painted Post in early 2023. Those plans have since evolved, and the company is expected to soon present an updated site plan to the town.

“They have indicated that they have completed a traffic impact study in May,” Greenthal said. “Quicklee’s is looking to provide the Town of Erwin shortly with a concept site plan that will align with all of the zoning and building codes for that specific region.”

Quicklee’s, an Avon-based business, has grown to over 30 locations in New York state, primarily in the greater Rochester area. The nearest Quicklee's location is in Bath, with a Quicklee's Travel Center also located off I-86 in Allegany County, near Belmont.

Work at the former Ames Plaza site has been on hold for more than a year. Quicklee’s received a demolition permit for properties in the plaza, but no approval to do any construction at the site.

Under the original proposal in early 2023, the former Ames Plaza building, the only building that has not been torn down at the site, would be modified to allow trucks to park inside the building, in many cases for more than two hours, giving truck drivers the option to rest off the road in their truck to meet state law driving requirements.

That plan was changed to the current proposal due to Erwin Town zoning and building codes. The final site plan requires town approval.

Greenthal said the Erwin site would not include overnight parking for tractor trailers unless they were staying at the hotel.

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“No overnight parking will be allowed,” Greenthal said. “It will be required if you're going to stay overnight to use a hotel room.”