Travel Plaza Not Coming to Big Flats

BIG FLATS, NY (WENY) -- WENY News has confirmed a proposed travel plaza will not be coming to Big Flats, in Chemung County.

The Onvo Travel Center would have been located just off Interstate 86 in Big Flats, adjacent to Sperr Park in an area known as Airport Corporate South. A memorial and park was built in the area after the 2006 line-of-duty death of New York State Trooper Andrew Sperr. 

The plan, first presented by the Chemung County Industrial Development Agency in June, sparked concern with area residents, who felt it would be disruptive to Sperr Park, and create potential safety issues.

RELATED: Travel Center could come to Big Flats near Sperr Park 

The IDA says the land surrounding that area was always intended for economic development. With the travel plaza no longer on the table, IDA chairman Mark Margeson told WENY News Chemung County will lose out on a million dollars annually in sales tax revenue, from gas and diesel sales.

The proposed travel center would have also included the county's first supercharger station for electric vehicles. 

The IDA said it took the community's feedback into consideration to not move forward with the project.