Retail development planned at Exit 29 truck stop site

The site of the former King’s Truck Stop in north Corbin could be crawling with traffic again as plans move forward for a new commercial development.

This sign, at he old Kings Truck Stop site, promises of future development.

A sign posted near the entrance to the property just off of Interstate 75 shows plans for seven different buildings totaling more than 330,000 square feet of floor space.

The largest building will contain more than 281,000 square feet, labeled “retail.”

In addition to the buildings, three out lots are available.

The sign indicates that space is currently available for lease with construction scheduled to be completed in fall of 2017.

Jerry Wayne Garland said he finalized a deal with Realty Link, LLC. in December for the sale of the 43 acres of property.

The property, which formerly housed the truck stop and Blue Beacon Truck Wash, have been vacant since 2013. The truck stop was demolished in 2011 and the truck wash was demolished after a new location was constructed nearby.

In Jan. 2015, Garland and Jim Powell of the Gibson Company, spoke with the London City Council concerning the possibility of the city annexing down I-75 to bring the property into the London city limits in order to permit the sale of alcohol by the drink the on the site.

Though the area is known as “North Corbin,” it is not in the Corbin city limits. Kentucky law precludes a city from annexing territory in three counties. With territory already in Knox and Whitley counties, Corbin may not annex property in Laurel County unless the state law is changed.

In response to the idea of London annexing the property, Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney noted previously that the water and sewer lines that service that area were installed by and are under the control of the City of Corbin. Because of that, state law prohibits London from annexing that area without approval from Corbin officials.

Efforts to reach Neil Wilson of Realty Link, LLC, the company listed as the developer, were unsuccessful.