Construction begins at one of last undeveloped I-75 exits in southwest Ohio

Sheetz store coming to business park at Exit 78 between Troy and Piqua, with developers eyeing other industrial, commercial and retail uses
A Sheetz gas station and convenience store was under construction at Exit 78 off I-75, between Troy and Piqua in early September 2024. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

A Sheetz gas station and convenience store was under construction at Exit 78 off I-75, between Troy and Piqua in early September 2024. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TROY — Construction activity is underway in the I-75 Corporate Park at Exit 78 off Interstate 75, with development of the first Sheetz store in Miami County.

The Pennsylvania-based gas station-convenience chain is developing nearly 12 acres in the business park off County Road 25A, with plans to open the store in time for Thanksgiving.

The company in 2022 said it would open 20 locations in the greater Dayton area within five years. Nine of them are already open in Huber Heights (2), Springfield, Vandalia, Fairborn, Springboro, Beavercreek, Franklin and Washington Twp.

Another is planned in Miami County in Tipp City at I-75′s Exit 69 and County Road 25A.

Steve Bruns, president of Bruns General Contracting, said the Sheetz project is a sign that national tenants realize the property’s benefits when it comes to its location and the demographics within its reach.

“Its location along I-75 and County Road 25A gives national retailers like Sheetz a front-row advantage to hundreds of motorists a day,” Bruns said. “We expect that excitement to soon be mirrored by larger users, such as health care, industrial and R&D, needing to reach key supply chain partners within one day’s drive.”

In announcing the Sheetz project, developers said more than 54,000 vehicles pass the park’s property daily on I-75 with about 11,000 traveling along County Road 25A.

One-third of the park’s roadways are constructed, but the land remains fluid, meaning parcels can be created to fit a user’s need. Bruns said they consider this flexible approach as one of the site’s greatest strengths toward attracting companies.

Development leaders say the interchange is one of the last undeveloped highway exits on the 100-plus miles of I-75 extending from northern Kentucky to Sidney.

“Generally speaking, the Bruns Development is a good project that opens up future growth opportunities along the I-75 and 25A corridor,” said Kelly Fackel, Miami County development director.

“I think that with this Sheetz gas station going in, that will be an anchor and that will really take off out there,” said County Commission President Greg Simmons. Fellow Commissioner Ted Mercer agreed. He also said the Ohio Department of Transportation should look at the interchange acceleration/deceleration lanes to see if work will be needed to accommodate additional vehicles.

Additional plans for use of the property have not been disclosed.

“The addition of Sheetz is an exciting first step for the Park,” said Ben Redick, principal broker at Bruns Realty Group. “We still have room for industrial, commercial and retail businesses of virtually any size, and continue to have conversations with several interested companies. With the combination of ease of access, proximity to I-75, heavy power availability and many other assets, we’re confident that we’ll continue to see a lot of progress at this site.”

Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com.

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