Proposal For Controversial Wilmington Gas Station Withdrawn By Global Partners

WILMINGTON, MA -- Global Montello Corp., the development arm of the gas station company Global Partners, withdrew plans to build a gas station and convenience store at the corner of West and Lowell Street in Wilmington. The proposal had sparked a campaign by neighbors who put up yard signs and spoke out at town meetings in opposition to the project near a busy intersection close to the Reading town line and the I-93 interchange.

"Though we have worked hard to advance this project, we regret that we are unable to move forward given design differences raised recently by the town, including the recommended limitation of one access and egress driveway on West Street," the company said in a statement. "At this time Global will be focusing on its other fresh market and gas station developments throughout New England."

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In addition to the public statement, Global withdrew its application form the Wilmington Planning Board and Conservation Commission. The plans called for a convenience store and gas station on the 1.9-acre lot, as well as a separate building for a sit-down, Panera-like restaurant. No tenant had been secured for the second building the backers were proposing.

A spokesperson for Wilmington Families First, the group that was formed to opposed the project, was not immediately available for comment. But the group did post a thank you message to supporters on its Facebook page shortly after Global made its announcement.

Neighbors had feared a truck-stop like development across the street from an already busy Mobil Station and adjacent to the Little Sprouts Daycare. More than 100 people had routinely turned out to meetings of various boards as Global moved through the approval process for the project.

Photo by Wilmington Families First.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites).