Get Go Gas Station Plans Prompt Questions, Concerns

Dozens of residents filled up the auditorium at on Wednesday to discuss the at the southwest corner of Bunts Road and Detroit Avenue. 

The plan, recently presented to city officials by , includes a 16-pump gas station and convenient store on the property that the Pittsburgh-based grocer once owned.

Many in the crowd came out Wednesday night to express concerns about the proposal.

Specifically, they shared concerns over traffic, pollution and lights from the building. 

Al Bednarski, who’s lived on Parkhaven Row for more than 30 years, is skeptical of the project.

“I don’t like it,” he said. “Who wants a gas station 100 feet from their house? I don’t.”

Some other residents attended out of curiosity, while others support the proposal.

Larry White, a nearby resident, said he welcomes the new development. 

“Right now, it’s an asphalt parking lot with an abandoned building,” he said. “The first thing I notice (in the plans) is green space. Yeah, there’s some traffic, but when there was a grocery store there was a lot of traffic.”

Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development hosted Wednesday’s forum, along with Ward 3 councilman Shawn Juris.

Siley encouraged the crowd to participate in the public process, including providing feedback to the city’s architectural board of review.

“We’re going to make sure you have very good information,” Siley told the crowd. “You might not like the answers. You might not like what we’re telling you, but we’re going to make sure that you’re thoroughly informed.”

Giant Eagle sold its property across the street at 14013 Detroit Avenue to Urban Active in 2007. However, plans at the site to build a workout facility never came to fruition.

The building has been vacant since 2007, when Giant Eagle finished its move across the street to 14100 Detroit Avenue.

“Preliminary discussions” also included at the corner of Bunts Road and Detroit Avenue. However, Giant Eagle representatives recently told city officials those plans are on hold until at least 2013.

Officials said demolition of the existing structure — a grocery store that’s gone by a few names in its history — could begin by June. Construction could be completed by the holidays.

“We’d like to get the details and get going,” Pat Avolio, the director of real estate development for Giant Eagle, told Lakewood Patch earlier this month.

Avolio, who directed questions to the company’s public relations department in Pittsburgh, said the existing Get Go property at the intersection of Manor Park and Detroit avenues would likely be sold.