The town of Morris will be receiving a new gas station and convenience store in the near future.

Right next to U.S. Hwy. 31, the ground is being prepared for a Shell gas station that is progressing slowly but steadily.

So far the basic structure of the building has been erected and its exterior is being painted with Shell’s recognizable colors and logo, although gas pumps have yet to be installed.

The new Shell is being developed by an Oil Equipment Company division based in Birmingham.

“It’s a modern facility,” said Jim Plott, a salesman with Oil Equipment Company who helped put together the project. “I think it’s something that the people of Morris will be proud of. It will be very open and inviting to the customers.”

The soon-to-be Shell station is also expected to generate new revenue from sales tax in Morris. Its prospects have members of the Morris City Council and the mayor looking forward to the contributions it will make to the town.

“The services it’s going to provide and the added revenue will help,” said Mayor Craig Drummonds. “I see it as a big plus for the town.”

The new gas station and store will be joining the Dollar General, located on the same highway, and the Marathon Foodmart (also called the Town Market) on Old Hwy. 31, among a few others already established in the area.

No date has been set on when the building will be finished, but Drummonds expects that construction is tentatively due to be completed three months from now.