Revitalization Project To Bring Captain Clean Car Wash To Doylestown Twp.

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A major community revitalization project is officially underway at 1776 S. Easton Road, where local businessman Jim Lonergan is preparing to transform the aging 1776 Shopping Center at Route 611 and Edison Road into a state-of-the-art express car wash.

But before construction begins on the new Captain Clean Car Wash, Lonergan will be kicking off the property's renewal by partnering with the Doylestown Fire Company. He will be handing over the existing 13,000-square-foot building — long considered a local eyesore — to local firefighters for live-action training simulations before it is demolished.

Captain Clean Car Wash is designed to fill a gap in the local market by offering an efficient, high-end cleaning experience. By investing in top-tier industry equipment, the wash ensures that every vehicle emerges clean, shiny, and dry. The site will also feature a dedicated vacuum farm equipped with high-powered vacuums for customers to clean their vehicle interiors.

For Jim Lonergan, a 30-year area resident who raised his children in the Doylestown community, replacing the rundown structure with a modern, beautiful facility is a deeply personal venture and finding the right location was key to doing it right.

"The location is absolutely perfect for an express car wash. You simply cannot build a modern car wash on a corner gas station lot anymore," notes Lonergan. "There is not enough room to accommodate the volume of vehicles, and the limited space for stacking would overflow onto the road, creating a serious traffic hazard."

By utilizing the spacious multi-acre site at the former shopping center, Lonergan said plans for Captain Clean Car Wash ensure ample room for safe vehicle queuing and seamless customer flow.

“Tearing down the existing building is a necessary step," added Lonergan. "Utilizing the structure to train our local firefighters in a safe, real-world environment to practice life-saving skills is an excellent use of the old building, and we are excited for the opportunity to partner with the fire company. We are incredibly grateful to the Doylestown Fire Company for their service and proud to stand behind them."

Lonergan said the pre-demolition training exercises will allow the Doylestown Fire Company to practice essential tactics — such as ventilation, wall breaching, and search-and-rescue maneuvers — that are difficult to replicate in standard training facilities.

Once training wraps up and the old structure is completely cleared, construction will begin on the modern 5,000-square-foot express wash tunnel.

In addition to delivering a premium wash, the facility is designed with the environment in mind.

Captain Clean Car Wash features state-of-the-art water recycling technology, resulting in significantly less water used per car. In fact, the facility will use much less water than an individual would use washing a car in a home driveway, making it a highly sustainable choice for local drivers.

Demolition and groundbreaking schedules will be announced in the coming weeks.