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Palmer Lake announces deal with Buc-ee’s

Douglas County billionaire and real estate exec team up to fund ad campaign against Buc-ee’s

On Friday, Palmer Lake announced a negotiated agreement with Buc-ee’s on a proposed annexation of land for a travel station.

In the agreement, the town states Buc-ee’s obligations if the annexation passes, including water use, road re-pavements and various costs toward Palmer Lake.

As part of the agreement, Buc-ee’s offered to pay for the installation of a well that the town had already planned on building. This will save almost $4.3 million, according to town officials. In addition to this, Buc-ee’s will install a second well and a water line, which will cost over $9 million, the agreement says.

The agreement also claims that Buc-ee’s is to make a one-time payment to the town of $350,000 within 30 days of opening, and another $150,000 to go toward “specific public uses.”

The town noted a concern of crime being attracted to the area and collaborated with police chiefs in several towns where Buc-ee’s has locations, who mostly assured town officials of no significant increase, only the occasional weekend or holiday 911-call spike. One chief in Terrell, Texas, did note his department increased its budget by $400,000 after their Buc-ee’s opened.

Palmer Lake’s Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote on the negotiated agreement at a meeting on Aug. 28.

A “stop Buc-ee’s” sign lies along the roadside near the site where the chain of travel stores plans a controversial location in northern El Paso County. (DougFitzgeralddoug.fitzgerald@gazettedev.gazette.comhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7b000e39d320f41d21f213cced452e76?s=100&d=mm&r=g)
A “stop Buc-ee’s” sign lies along the roadside near the site where the chain of travel stores plans a controversial location in northern El Paso County. (DougFitzgeralddoug.fitzgerald@gazettedev.gazette.comhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7b000e39d320f41d21f213cced452e76?s=100&d=mm&r=g)
Protesters against a proposed Buc-ee’s travel store in Palmer Lake gather outside the town hall this year. (Savannah Eller, the tribune)
Protesters against a proposed Buc-ee’s travel store in Palmer Lake gather outside the town hall this year. (Savannah Eller, the tribune)


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