Store/gas station on the books since 2001
By: Rebecca Weltmann
PLUMSTED After more than four years of waiting for construction to begin on a Super Wawa convenience store, the demolition on the current, abandoned three structures on the property has finally commenced.
Demolition of the former Marshall’s Corner Restaurant and other abandoned structures at the intersection of Routes 539 and 528 began last week to make room for the township’s third Wawa. Four years ago, a nearby gas station, Valero, on Route 539 objected and filed a lawsuit with the state Superior Court that delayed construction of the Super Wawa. According to Mayor Ron Dancer, the lawsuit stated that the township and township Planning Board were not in compliance with zoning laws and municipal land use ordinances to build the Super Wawa on that site.
In March, the state Superior Court ruled in favor of the township and Wawa Corp. The Super Wawa, whose plan won the Planning Board’s approval in 2001, would include a 24-hour gas station. The land used to be home to Marshall’s Corner Restaurant, an abandoned home and a service garage building. Because the site used to be home to both a restaurant and a gas station previously, Mayor Dancer added, that the site was ideal for a Wawa.
Though the new Super Wawa will be the third Wawa in the town of Plumsted, there would not be three Wawas open at the same time. The existing Wawa store on Route 528 would closed as a Wawa business but would remain as space for a new ratable. The other Wawa is on Main Street.
In addition, the corporation has agreed to consult the township in the selection of another new business for the existing Wawa location on the opposite corner of this intersection at Route 528 and 539. That store will remain a place for business, though whatever convenience store goes there, it would not be under the Wawa name.
"From the township’s perspective, we are really pleased to finally see these improvements under way at that intersection," said Mayor Dancer. "This is really a gateway into our community. It’s a multimillion-dollar business ratable and a job-creator, service-provider with a 24-7 gasoline area service. We’re really pleased."
Added to that, Mayor Dancer said, the placement of the Wawa and 24-hour gas station would be a great improvement for public safety to township.
"Ironically, the township actually has had times when our police have had to leave the township on the midnight shift because there has never been a gas station in our township that’s open passed 11 p.m.," he said. "From a public safety perspective, I’m pleased to see this as not only a business ratable and job-creator, service-provider, but also a way that now police vehicles will be able to refuel without leaving the township."
The demolition and site improvements are under way. Immediately following thereafter, construction on the new Super Wawa would begin. At this point, Mayor Dancer said, he couldn’t foresee any further delays. He said he hopes to see construction completed by January 2008.
"All we really have to do before construction can begin is the complete all the demolition of the structures," he said. "We also have improvements to make to the intersection. Right now, there are no existing ingresses or egresses at this site. There will be infrastructure in respect to curving, drainage, roadway exiting and entrance signs and improvements for greater safety for the intersection."