PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WINK) — Southwest Florida’s first Buc-ee’s is one step closer to becoming a reality, and Charlotte County records are giving a clearer timeline for when the massive travel center could be completed.
The Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners approved the Buc-ee’s final site plan in September, clearing a major step in the development process.
RELATED: Charlotte County approves Buc-ee’s site plan near Peace River on I-75
Under the county’s approved development schedule, construction can begin after the board’s approval, and the project is expected to be substantially completed before Sept. 8, 2029.
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Credit: Williamson County
Credit: Williamson County
That does not mean Buc-ee’s will open by that date.
The county document does not provide a specific opening date, and the project still needs to go through the remaining permitting and construction process.
The planned Buc-ee’s would be located at 25599 Harborview Road near I-75 and the Peace River.
The approximately 28-acre site is approved for a roughly 74,000-square-foot travel center with 120 fuel stations and 740 parking spaces.
The project is part of the larger Harborview Development of Regional Impact, which has been planned for the area for decades.
County records also show the approved Buc-ee’s project affects the development rights for the larger Harborview property. The county’s land-use calculations equate the 120 vehicle fueling positions to 2,336.4 multifamily dwelling units.
The Buc-ee’s plan has drawn concerns from some nearby residents and environmental advocates over its proximity to the Peace River, flooding and potential drainage impacts.
County staff previously said the plans include a 100-foot buffer toward the river and drainage infrastructure designed to direct water away from the Peace River.
For now, there is no announced opening date for the Buc-ee’s. But if the project follows the county’s approved schedule, substantial completion is expected before September 2029.