Sheetz is preserving a piece of Fraser’s history as construction finishes on its new fuel center and convenience store near the southwest corner of Utica and 14 Mile roads. Crews this week installed a facade saved from the former State Bank of Fraser, a move company officials say reflects a commitment to respect the site’s legacy while adding a modern retail project to the community.
The bank building stood on the property for decades before it was demolished to make room for the $8 million development. Sheetz said the decision to keep part of the original structure was deliberate, and the company also added green space, landscaping, and other site improvements.
Historic facade remains part of the design
The preserved frontage belonged to the former State Bank of Fraser, which later housed PNC Bank and other tenants over the years. Records show the building was first constructed in 1910 and was remodeled in 1975, giving the site a long commercial history in the city.
Sheetz public affairs manager Nick Ruffner said the company wanted the new location to acknowledge that history. “The State Bank of Fraser building holds a special place in this community’s history, and we wanted to honor that,” Ruffner told the Macomb Daily by email.
He said the company also made “a deliberate decision to preserve the original bank facade as part of our development, along with a sizable amount of green space and landscaping to further enhance the surrounding area.” Ruffner added that these features make the Fraser location “something truly unique.”
Project includes more than fuel pumps and a store
The Fraser site has been designed with several community-facing features beyond the store itself. Sheetz agreed to build a 3,000-square-foot public park overlooking a detention pond, along with a historical pedestrian plaza that will include a monument commemorating the bank.
The park is planned to include picnic tables, trash receptacles, shade trees, and ornamental plantings. The company also agreed to add a traffic-calming median at the site entrance, which is meant to improve safety and movement near the property.
In addition, Sheetz will contribute $50,000 to the city for road improvement efforts. The changes were developed as part of the company’s work with city officials and residents during the project planning process.
Community reaction stays largely positive
A man watching construction earlier this week said he supported the decision to honor the bank’s past. He said the project should look better once the facade is completed, though crews still need to finish the top portion of the structure.
His reaction reflected a broader interest in how the company handles redevelopment on sites with older local landmarks. In Fraser, the preserved facade gives the new project a direct visual link to the property’s earlier use, rather than replacing it entirely with a standard convenience-store design.
Store opening expected soon
Construction on the Fraser Sheetz is nearing completion, and Ruffner said the company expects work to wrap up later this month. A grand opening will be announced after the final steps are finished.
The Fraser location is part of Sheetz’s broader expansion across southeast Michigan, where the company plans to open 50 to 60 stores. Seven of those stores are planned for Macomb County, including locations in Eastpointe, Macomb Township, Shelby Township, and Warren.
Company officials say each store should employ at least 30 workers, many of them full-time, which would create more than 400 new jobs across the region. For Fraser, the new store combines that economic development push with a visible reminder of the city’s past through the preserved bank facade and the planned pedestrian plaza.
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