Developer wants to revive old truck stop

Sammy Adell envisions a truck stop with a convenience store, motel and restaurant at the long-neglected Tucumcari Truck Terminal site on the city's west side.

But Adell during an interview at the site Thursday grumbled over the sluggish pace in removing contaminants from the 20-acre tract. The cash-strapped city government also needs to obtain state funding to help replace miles of collapsed sewer lines and lift stations leading to it - another potentially long process.

Adell estimated it will cost $2.6 million and about two years to get the truck stop open again, not counting the millions more to repair the sewer lines and lift stations.

He complained about a lack of communication from city officials, though he praised recently retired city manager Paula Chacon and Kristine Olsen of the local chamber of commerce and economic development corporation.

When asked whether he was dealing with bureaucracy and delays, he replied: "That's an understatement."

"I'll be frank," he added. "If this continues, I will clean the site, fence it and leave it. I can go to another project that makes money."

Renee Hayoz, who became city manager on Jan. 1, said Friday that Adell tried to set up a meeting last week but her schedule was "completely booked."

She said she set a meeting this week with Mayor Mike Cherry, state environmental officials, city department heads and other local officials.

"I do know that at some point we need to start focusing on growing Tucumcari toward the west," Hayoz added. "But we also need to address our streets, our sewer lines within city limits ... get that infrastructure taken care of, as well."

Adell said two phases of cleanup have been completed. Next is the removal of old fuel storage tanks. He said Rebecca Cook of the New Mexico Environment Department is eager to finish cleanup at the site and "get it off her books."

He has encountered other setbacks at the site. Thieves stole over $30,000 in metal. Someone illegally dumped oil there, prompting another visit and remediation by state Environment Department.

And that doesn't account for all the vandalism, old and new.

Adell has moved concrete barriers to the site and erected fencing with "no trespassing" signs. His employees are cleaning the lot and buildings, bit by bit. He contracted with a local landscaping firm to remove brush. He placed a travel trailer and portable bathroom on the lot.

Adell said his family owns and operates other truck stops in Amarillo and Weatherford in Texas and Vado, New Mexico.

By his reckoning, his family has been in the truck-stop business for 30 years.

He operated Lisa's Truck Center in Moriarty from 2019 until 2023, when he sold it.

Adell said his family looks for distressed properties "that have value."

"We buy a truck stop, we fix it, we sell it, or we keep it," he said.

That led him to the Tucumcari Truck Terminal, which had been closed for about 20 years and has deteriorated into an eyesore of litter and weeds. The previous owners, Ortegas Shell Plaza Inc., at one point owed about $100,000 in back property taxes.

Adell said he had to contact six or seven lawyers over about an 18-month period, but he finally was able to make an offer to the Ortegas they accepted.

"We got it for a good deal from the owner," he said. "Not going to say what it is; it's how much is going to cost me when I'm finished."

According to the Quay County Assessor's Office, the deal with through on July 16 through Adell's Hana Truck Sport Tucumcari LLC.

Adell describes himself as "a Texas boy" and "a redneck" after residing there for decades, but he said he was born in Jerusalem on the West Bank. He said he also lived in England and has "five kids and two ex-wives."

"But that's not important," he said. "I don't like to talk about myself."

He said his family has "a good track record" of investing in communities where it develops its truck stops. He said he's given money to local food banks, libraries, education programs and even built an apartment complex in Moriarty.

Adell said he recently spoke to Mesalands Community College staff and offered land on the east side of the truck stop that could be used to build dormitories. The lack of student housing has been a persistent problem at the college.

But he first has to see substantial progress in developing his Tucumcari truck stop.

"I don't want to step on anybody's toes, but I really want something done," he said.