Firm Gets Final Approval for Old BP Lot

City officials gave final approval for changes to the old BP lot on Scenic Highway, paving the way for to occupy the location.

The vote comes nearly six years after BP closed its gas station there in October 2005. The lot, located at 1937 Scenic Highway, has been unused and vacant since then.

Several variances -- involving landscaping and parking, among other things -- were approved unanimously by city officials at the May 23 council meeting. Monday evening was the second-reading and public hearing regarding the location. The applicant is being represented by RealtyLink, LLC, a real estate firm with offices in Duluth.

City officials did ask that RealtyLink, LLC, meet additional conditions, including changes to the site that would include lanes that restrict movement in and out of the location to the right only, and a letter for the Environmental Protection Agency about the site's condition.

No one spoke in opposition of the proposal. There was one woman at the public hearing who asked what the national retailer would be.

At the May 23 meeting, officials from RealtyLink said it was not able to reveal the name of the company, however Patch has already learned that the site is currently a proposed Verizon Wireless.

Reached two weeks ago, Devin Keil, of RealtyLink, LLC, said that pending all approvals that construction of the proposed 4,500-square-foot Verizon Wireless store will begin in the fall, and that it is anticipated to open in early 2012.

City officials thanked RealtyLink, LLC, for moving in to build something new on the vacated BP lot, and what they called an "eyesore."

"This is great," said Barbara Bender, councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem. "It's what we're after in this community."