New Get Go Gas Station Sparks Concern in the Neighborhood

There are a couple pieces of literature circulating around the neighborhood of the at the southwest corner of Bunts Road and Detroit Avenue.

The first — stuck to doors and left on porches — cautions residents about the possible negative effects of a gas station. The flier warns falling property values, pollution, increased traffic and undesirable consequences on local business.

This comes after ’s proposal earlier this month to build a 5,600-square-foot brick building, with multiple gas pumps, at the property that it once owned.

The city responded with a letter of its own — and an invitation to discuss the issue further, at a meeting set to take place at at 6 p.m. March 28. 

Penned by Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development, and Ward 3 councilman Shawn Juris, the city’s flier explains that the the city and the Pittsburgh-based grocer had “preliminary discussions” regarding the proposal.

At the city’s architectural board of review meeting, board members asked about the proximity of the proposed gas station to neighboring homes. Giant Eagle officials said that the existing board-on-board fencing dividing the properties would remain as a “buffer” between the residential neighborhood to the south. 

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 GetGo 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.