The construction of a new Kwik Star store at Second Avenue North and 15th Street got an early boost from the Fort Dodge City Council Monday.

The council approved the first reading of a measure approving a needed zoning change.

A new 7,320-square-foot store will replace the current one on the property. It will have eight fuel pumps.

Construction is expected to start next year.

The company purchased six properties immediately to the east of the store to make room for the new one. A couple of houses in the 200 block of North 16th Street have been demolished.

The new store will face North 15th Street, as the current one does.

On Monday, the council approved the first reading of a measure switching the zoning from office commercial and multi-family residential status to arterial commercial status.

Council members Dave Flattery, Lydia Schuur and Megan Secor were absent from the otherwise unanimous vote. There was no discussion.

The change must be approved two more times to become law.