MANSFIELD — A new, two-bay automatic car wash may be built east of Possum Run Road, across the street from the Washington Township meeting hall.
Richland County commissioners on Thursday approved the annexation of one acre of land into the City of Mansfield.
Trent Walter, of Ohio Car Wash Holdings at 905 Hickory Lane, is working to purchase the acre, one of three out lots for the Walmart Supercenter at 2485 Possum Run Road.
Walter’s company owns and operates several car washes in the area and is building a new one near Kroger on Stewart Road in Washington Township.
Walter said it’s a growing business entity and that he will work with Walmart and owners of nearby land parcels on easement agreements that would allow the project to go forward.
“We do have a lot of local investors who put money into these projects and want us to look for new locations,” Walter said. “Like with any project, there are challenges and opportunities.”
The new facility would be fully automated with free vacuums, according to Walter.
Mansfield attorney Reese Mills, who is representing the company in the annexation effort, said the request must now “sit” with the City of Mansfield before City Council can act on it.
The city and Washington Township trustees have expressed no opposition to the plan.
Walter said it would be four to five months to build the car wash and install equipment once agreements are reached. He said the new facility could be open in the fall of 2023.
