CENTER TWP — A Sheetz and a Rite Aid Pharmacy are expected to be built next year across from the Clearview Mall on Route 8.

Developer Terry Astleford from the JWA Group of Johnstown updated the township supervisors on the proposed project Wednesday night.

The site, directly across from the mall’s northern traffic lights, has been the proposed location for a Sheetz for years.

While no plans have been submitted to the township, the developers hope to start and finish the project next year.

“It’s moving forward,” said Supervisor Chairman Ed Latuska. “But there will be no dirt moved this year at all.”

The JWA Group would co-develop the project with J.S. Capitol Construction, which is building a new Rite Aid in downtown Butler.

That project is set to bring a Marriott Springhill Suites hotel and a 225-lot parking garage to the city.

Development across from the mall would require 60,000 cubic yards of soil to level out the embankment.

The project also would alter the northern traffic light exiting the mall onto Route 8.

The new light would alter one of two left turning lanes leaving the mall with a straight lane that would carry traffic to the Sheetz and Rite Aid. JWA is having a traffic study completed on the intersection.

Paul Dunn, the project manager of the Rite Aid project in the city was at the meeting Wednesday, but did not talk to the supervisors. Both developers left the meeting after the brief update at the start of the meeting.

Township engineer Ron Olsen said he has not seen any plans for the structures, but said the gas station will be a “full service” Sheetz. The Sheetz and Rite Aid would be in separate buildings.

Supervisor Ken Frenchak said he supports the idea: “I think it’s exciting. It would help a lot in the township.”

The property was rezoned from R-3 to C-2 in the spring of 2013. Frenchak said the developer has been working on a traffic study since that time.

“They wanted to get their ducks in a row with the road first,” he said, referencing that no plans have yet been submitted to the township. “It’s easier to do it that way.”

There is already a Rite Aid in the Clearview Mall, but it is unclear what will happen to that store.

“We can speculate on that,” Frenchak said.

The site had a similar proposal about six years ago with a different developer. Frenchak said at that time it was proposed the Rite Aid inside the mall would relocate.

The property to be developed has two houses on it.