Wawa Supporters, Detractors Prepare for Public Hearing Wednesday

Residents will have a third and final opportunity on Wednesday to publically address the , to be built on the land at 11^th and Fayette streets, currently occupied by the defunct Moore Chevrolet.

Supporters of both the developers, Provco Pineville Fayette, and the Conshohocken Revitalization Alliance (CRA), which has developed a campaign to oppose the development, were represented in the two previous planning commission meetings, after which the body voted two to one, with two abstentions, to recommend that the borough not accept the text amendment.

In anticipation of Wednesday’s  7 p.m. meeting at Washington Fire Company on Elm Street,  both supporters and detractors of the proposed Wawa and its text amendment are rallying the troops in different ways – the developers are holding an event at the Great American Pub prior to the meeting, while the CRA is working to inform residents online.

Here is a look at what they’re doing, and what they’re saying. Below is a comprehensive list of Patch articles on the Conshohocken Wawa topic.

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Provco Pineville Fayette Holding Event Wednesday Evening

Provco Pineville Fayette is gathering Wawa supporters at the Great American Pub at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, with plans to wrap up before the meeting at 7 p.m.

“It’s just a casual gathering for those who support the proposed Wawa to meet others and grab a snack before the hearing,” according to a Provco Pineville Fayette representative.

In May of 2012, Wawa started a public relations campaign in Conshohocken, stating that Wawa will bring ”tax revenue, job creation, convenience and a new, fresh look for the site.”

The initial Wawa brochures boasted several assets to the development, including a $1.5 million investment in the community through local construction fees, as well as 35 new jobs, creating value for consumers with low pricing on key products (gas), and surcharge-free ATMs, and revitalizing the Fayette Street Corridor.

Also, Wawa emphasized its dedication to the local community.

“Wawa has a long history in this region as a family-owned company that supports local charities such as the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, Philabundance, the USO, Red Cross Blood Drives and the Variety Children’s Charities,” according to the “WeWantConshohockenWawa.Com” website. 

The website also contains a large “Fact Vs. Myth” section, which questions some of the assertions made by the CRA.

The Pro-Wawa group started out with a strong digital following, with several Facebook groups to support the endeavor, including “Conshohocken Supports Wawa,” “Conshohockenites for Super Wawa” and “Say Yes to Coshohocken Wawa” – which totaled just over 800 supporters – but most of the sites have been relatively quiet since 2012.

Residents have come out individually in support of the Wawa, including Robert Rigsby, who created a a four-minute video, complete with a song, called "The Gobbler: We Want Wawa in Conshohocken."

Conshohocken Revitalization Commission’s "Ten Reasons to Attend the Meeting"

On March 12, the CRA began announcing “10 Reasons Why You Should Attend the Borough Council Meeting on March 27” on its Facebook page.

The group states that it is important to tell council how residents feel, as “council members have been able to shied themselves from public input” up until now.

Other reasons include supporting local entrepreneurs, understanding the zoning amendment and what it means for the future of Conshohocken, including the “Wawa Effect” and increasing traffic, and keeping Conshohocken a walkable town.

The CRA also posted the 2011 Conshohocken Revitalization Plan Update, in which the borough and the county worked together to plan for the future of Conshohocken, down to specific store recommendations – not including a gas station. 

To view the full list of reasons to attend the meeting, click here.

According to CRA members, one of the main arguments against accepting the text amendment are that the Planning Commission recommended not to support it, as it is in contrast to the Revitalization Plan – and borough council normally follows the suggestions of the planning commission.

Additionally, the CRA believes that the zoning amendment will allow for commercial development in a district that was designed to protect the historically-significant Victorian homes at the upper end of Conshohocken, and that gas stations were not among the recommended retail in the 2011 Revitalization Plan.

For a detailed look back at the Conshohocken Wawa Debate, visit any of these previous Plymouth-Whitemarsh-Conshohocken Patch Stories:

National Pundit Weigns in on Conshy Wawa Debate (Feb. 19)

Conshy Wawa Discussion on Council Agenda (Feb. 8)

What Should Go Here: Moore Chevrolet (Jan. 20)

Conshohocken Planning Commission Votes 2-1 to Reject Wawa Amendment (Jan. 23)

UPDATE: Conshy Planning Commission to Discuss Wawa Plans (Jan. 17)

CRA Posts Video to Dispute Wawa Traffic Claims (Nov. 29)

Crowd Packs Conshy Planning Commission Meeting for Wawa Proposal (Nov. 28)

Conshy Planning Commission to Consider Wawa Proposal Tuesday (Nov. 26)

Interview with New Conshohocken Councilwoman Anita Barton (July 16)

Conshohocken Revitalization Alliance Launches 'Keep the Character' (May 20)