I think the potential of this gas station sounds great. The building is not tacky, with fuel so pricey these days, it's great to have GetGo's fuel perks to go with an already more affordable gas station. Traffic is going to happen anywhere, but trying to get in and out of the current location is tricky at best! The chance to have a larger GetGo without going to W117th pleases me greatly!

Better than the blight sitting there, Lakewood needs a better gas station. The design looks good.

Anyone whom pushes back new development usually have a unique agenda in doing so. They worry about losing customers. Instead of FUC- - - - crying about it, use it to KICK YOUR CURRENT SPACE UP A NOTCH to co-exist. Kinda like a "GUT CHECK" - Get rid of the beer advertisments,lotto & smoke signs, OHIO DIRECTION CARD SIGNS BIGGER THAN A POOL TABLE etc... Let your customers see into your space so that they eliminate any perception that something "SHADY" is going on inside...Welcome Giant Eagle, help us grow as a city...

Wild Amish, that is not an accurate statement. Just because someone is opposed to a gas station opening up on their street doesn't mean they have a hidden agenda. The same could be said about person posting comments on a website under alias. What's your agenda? Do you work for Giant Eagle?

Personally, I hope it works out. The existing gas station, the one that currently sits next to residences, is too small and creates some dangerous situations when cars are sitting with their tail ends sticking out into the road. My fingers are crossed that it goes through. It will be a much better use of the space.

I agree! The present GetGo station is way too cramped and besides that I feel it's awesome that Giant Eagle would consider investing here.The buffer is necessary for the residential properties and people have to understand that you just cannot keep scaring away businesses and keep a strong tax base.

Will it have a car wash?

It's funny how of all these comments there is only one misguided poster who is against this plan. Matt would you rather that Lakewood just let all the vacant areas on Detroit sit empty forever? If you were so concerned about living near a commercial property why did you buy that house? Why didn't you buy one in another area of Lakewood away from Detroit Rd? You sound exactly like the people who buy homes near the airport then complain about the noise from jets.

Take a lesson from your Woodward friends and the McDonald's set to commence construction and save your time and money trying to stop the Get Go. Dru & crew will not, for one moment, consider your issues. The boys will appear to care and put on their dog and pony show but in the end it is a frustrating waste of all your efforts. The residents of Woodward feel your pain.

Not just one poster is against this. I don't like the idea either, and not just because of the gas station. As an 'inner ring' suburb, I think it's imperative for Lakewood to maintain a less 'industrial' feeling that a huge gas station would project.

What's going to happen to this space if the venture fails? What's going to happen to the existing space across the street when it's discovered that the area can't support another grocery store? Maybe it would be different if it wasn't GE building another GE store directly across the street, but I'm having a difficult time understanding how the influx of 'specialty' grocery stores is going to maintain a customer base. With the addition of the GE store, the proposed Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Nature's Bin, Trader Joe's, etc.,

Alex, I know it's difficult to remember them all, but there are lots of gas stations in Lakewood.

I welcome new development. I am stuck down near the empty Fairchild lot. I welcomed the Rockport project that failed. I wished that Quaker Steak and Lube would build a full size restaurant so it would bring more tax dollars to town. I would rather have a park over here, something we lack. Tired of looking at unused space. Fine, build the gas station near here. People already cram the Get Go on Manor Park.

What is wrong with North Olmsted? Sorry, moved here from CA 10 years ago and I think things in Lakewood are going the correct direction. It is more inviting than when I moved here. Fresh look, great expanded library, restaurants that draw National attention...we are a booming little town!

Andrew W.K. – I Love Giant Eagle - http://www.lakewoodcitizen.com/2012/03/27/andrew-w-k-i-love-giant-eagle/

I am a home owner on Parkhaven, about 100 feet from the proposed new Get Go. I am one of the "lucky few" who are directly affected by this project. I have invested in my house, enjoy my neighborhood...and I also buy locally whenever possible. I have very mixed feelings about this proposal and intend to hear ALL sides of the story before making my thoughts heard. I appreciate everyone's comments here; please remember that there are real homes involved, with real people. Thanks.

I got the one of the flyers at my home on Marlowe. I think the GetGo could be a good use of this space which has a been an eyesore. I think there should be no access at all to the site from Parkhaven, and the setbacks be guaranteed in writing. Some of the residents close to the expanded Lakewood hospital ER did not really get what was promised.
I worked in Erie PA and there was a similar station there at an even busier intersection, but the traffic restrictions (one way entrances and exits, restricted left turns, etc.) made it safe-- certainly more safe than the 'dodge em' traffic at the existing station at Manor Park.
I would also encourage the lighting be downplayed for the benefit of the nearby residents.

Matt and others,

Is this the same property where the original Giant Eagle was located? Would it make a difference if they put in a Whole Foods or other retail store at this location? Is it just upsetting because it's a gas station/food mart?

For the record, I live on Mathews Avenue in Lakewood and was for the Westend Project and there was even talk about our house being needed for parking. I would have been more than willing to see that project done even if it meant moving to another fine house in Lakewood. I am pro-developement as long as it stays with in the architecture standards of the city.

Thanks,

Brian

what is the difference if its were it is or across the street?

I'll concede that I, like most other people, would prefer that development took some other form than a gas station. But, this is a reasonable development.
- The current Get-Go was put on a awkward site and is completely overwhelmed.
- The gas station is needed and placing it on the corner of two busy streets will provide the opportunity to capture a lot of business.
- That extra capacity should translate to more revenue, which will in turn mean more tax revenue to the City...which helps us all.
- Some might point out (and object to) that gas stations experience a lot of traffic, take truck delivery, keep long hours, and have bright lights. The thing is, so do grocery stores...which is what was there just 5 or 6 years ago. The previous business had hundreds of customers per day, took their deliveries by truck, kept long business hours, and their high-mast lighting is still in place on the property.
- The property is zoned for this use. There used to be a commercial venue on this property. Directly across Bunts was a service station. Directly across Detroit is a convenience store, a restaurant, and a grocery store. While the gas station clashes with the residential homes behind it, it does match the other business which front the same streets.
- At least this has the potential to be a thriving business...which is both (a) something Lakewood needs more of, and (b) better than the nothing that is there now.

Giant Eagle can't even be relied upon to shovel the snow from their sidewalks in the winter. They REGULARLY leave the sidewalk unplowed even when all the other businesses have cleared theirs. You can tell it is Giant Eagle, because their sidewalks will be covered and icy, then you walk past the apartment buildings across clear sidewalks, and the [present] GetGo's sidewalk is snow-covered.

So we have more of this to look forward to?

Bill,
I must have missed something. I thought the plan was for a GE 'Market District' store.
And for the record, I didn't see the point of THAT plan either.
I am opposed to another gas station, and also another convenience store.

I live on Parkhaven and I have read through these posts. I am strongly opposed to it because it will lower our property values among many other things. We want this space developed but we are talking about a Gas Station with 16 pumps!! How does that even compare to any other prospect? The city touted the fact that there are 51,000 residents in Lakewood and the most densely populated city between Chicago and New York so this Get Go needs to service 51,000 people? And, by the way, the city keeps saying this is a private transaction that is legal as long as they conform to zoning requirements. I would like to note that according to the county auditor Giant Eagle doesn't own that property yet. It is still in the name of P&P Realty LLC and it was noted at the meeting that Echo Realty has a "contract." My guess is they have this proposal to go to the City and if it is approved the "contract" will go forward but if it is not, it won't. So, I wonder who is really running this? They obviously do not care what their residents want and Giant Eagle wants to make sure they have no competition -- ever. By making this property Get Go they are insuring that another grocery store cannot compete with them as has been the case in the past (Pick N Pay, Tops, Regos, Krogers) so any discounts you may think you are getting at the pump will be adjusted through their grocery prices. I would like to know how our "citizen led boards" would feel if a gas station was moving next door to them.

You know, after reading over the posts again, I really need to point out that we are not opposed to developing that property! Of course we want it developed! Just not a gas station. It is not like we don't have gas stations to go to. Do you think this is going to draw people to Lakewood? Hey, come live in Lakewood where we have a Get Go gas station with 16 pumps! There is so much potential here to make something of this property that will draw people to Lakewood and we all know there is not much space in Lakewood. Why a gas station? My hope is that this can be stopped. They don't own the property yet -- at least according to the County Auditor. And, why doesn't the city ask for focus groups of Lakewood residents to get input from the community on what they would like to see in Lakewood and pursue those avenues for development?

I understand everyone's apprehension about placing a gas station in this location and it seems that the gasoline is the problem. But some of the reasons are simply baseless. First it is not going increase traffic. No one in their right mind is going to drive down Detroit avenue just for gas. Most of the people who are going to use this station are the people getting fuel perks across the street and that is what GE wants. They placed a Get-Go right next to the store on W.117th. Second, kids aren't going to get hit by cars. That is the same old argument brought out over every business that tries to come into Lakewood. They said the same thing when Walgreens wanted a store at Detroit and W.117th WHERE I LIVE so I know a thing or two about this situation. Low and behold no increased traffic, no increase in kids getting hit by cars, no increased crime. I think reading a previous article on patch concerning this property will shed some more light on the subject. But more importantly I hope Matt doesn't leave me out of his counter posting marathon.

lets get the west end project back on the ballot, that will get people talking again

I think the drawings were well designed. Progress. I am a home owner in Lakewood and when buying here I understood that Lakewood unlike other suburbs has the majority of its residential streets intersecting with high traffic, high business arteries. Arteries that require infrastructure. Roll the dice, you are going to have something you don't like at the top of your street. I'll trade you the 10 empty store fronts and dilapidated apartments at the end of my street for your brand new gas station that looks more like a high-end retail store. I applaud the city for making these businesses go above and beyond with their architectural design. I once thought what a shame for a church to be tore down for a CVS pharmacy... Now I look at how smart and well developed the new building looks and how it makes "downtown" all the more better. Someone have a grand business idea to fill that over-sized vacant property? By all means speak up...b/c if not bring in the bulldozers and lets keep adding new investment to our city.

What is the benefit to the city bottom line from this type of development ? This will not create a new gas buying consumer, but it only will make people who buy at other gas station come to this one to what is in their mind savings...the smaller gas stations will loose customer ( that's the free market economy for you ) and then city will face multiple brownfield and empty lots from gas stations that will close - what a great development is this gonna be for the city ...? but who cares we'll have newer gas station where a wait time might be shorter at first... but with the same logic we should build a bigger store that has double the number of registers since that wait time to pay for grocery is too long, in a nutshell we are screwed by fuel / food perk minded people who do not see past their own backyards -