New designs will give the stores two entrances, more parking, different displays, graphics and reimagined canopies over at least 16 fueling positions per store.
As the plans come together, environmental responsibility plays a part, said the report. "We've done a lot of study," Mitchell told the newspaper. "Geothermal heating and cooling [image-nocss] is something I'm interested in, and energy consumed while we're open and energy consumed making the materials we use for construction."
Water conservation also is something planners are working on, the report said. That covers everything from recycling water in carwashes to using less-thirsty plants in landscaping. "You look at some of the things the city makes you do, and they're counterproductive," Mitchell said.
Something as challenging for convenience stores as affordable gasoline also is under review, the paper added. "United is actually taking the lead on this," Mitchell said. "They're going to their own brand. You have to negotiate with these oil companies. This conversation's going on for months. It's a very delicate discussion."
The new stores and development "will have a sustained effect on the Amarillo economy by employing approximately 85 team members," Mitchell said. "It will also reverberate throughout the community in providing over 80 jobs through the local construction company, as well as providing additional revenue for our vendor partners."
He added, "The parameters we set for the expansion were to complete this project using local resources."
Amarillo National Bank will finance the project, Southwest General Contractors will do the construction, Lavin Architects will develop designs and Amarillo's Coldwell Banker affiliate will handle the real estate transactions, according to the report.
Toot'n Totum, currently with 61 locations, is launching the expansion in February, during the year it celebrates its 60th anniversary. It will employ more than 800 people upon completion of the project. Construction should take about 16 months, the Globe-News said.
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