Raceway on South Broad Street between 25th and 26th streets opened Monday, bringing life to a property that had been vacant for 20 years.
“They’re doing sort of a soft opening because they’re still working out the bugs,” said Mike Harrell, president of the South Broad Redevelopment Group.
Harrell said the gas station that is “a little more urban looking” was tweaked by parent company RaceTrac to downplay graphics and blend in with the motifs of South Broad.
Steps were also taken to buy equipment locally, such as Aquashield Inc.’s stormwater filtration system, he said.
“We think it’s a win-win for the community because of jobs, the tax base, and the way they’re blending in with the community,” Harrell said, noting the gas station will bring an estimated $500,000 in tax revenues for the city.
The location’s manager, Sulman Javid, said it will be open 24 hours a day.