Letter to the editor - Argyle Today 5-6-2005
WHEN WILL THEY LISTEN TO RESIDENTS?
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AFB AND RAMPART!

First it was Food Lion that wanted to build a grocery store there, and the residents said no way!
The Walgreens wanted to build a drug store there and the residents said no way!
Then a developer wanted to build a strip mall there and the residents said no way!
Now, Gate wants to build a gas station there, despite having a nice new one at Collins and Westport, and wants to present its plan at the may 19, 2005 meeting of the Argyle Area Civic Council. The new meeting place is the new Argyle Library at 7:30 pm on the third Thursday of each month.
Gate knows that it will not be possible to enter that 10 acres while travelling east on AFB because of the turn lanes and the new bridge. They are desirous of serving the residents on the way home only. Forget the coffee, doughnuts and fruit they offer at the other store. Gate wants to sell you fuel on the way home. And why not, at the prices they charge, they sure don't want a competitor to drive their prices down. Even the people who work at the Collins and Westport station don't buy fuel there because of price. The run from 6 cents/gal to 16 cents per gallon higher than the Race Trac on Blanding, for example.
So, it would be great, if you care, for everybody to show up at the next AACC meeting to make sure Gate hears directly from you. I promised them we would not throw tomatoes, so help me there. I appreciate that developers are coming to AACC with proposals rather than just trying to jam them down our throats. But if you want to be heard on the subject, you need to be present.
AACC wants the City to move the tennis courts somewhere to add parking at the ballpark. AACC wants a canoeing entry point into the Ortega Swamp. AACC wants that corner to not negatively affect drive time traffic, what ever is put there.

David Hodges, Chair
AACC Transportation Committee
904-237-5917 cell
ftc@fdn.com


By David Hodges - Argyle Today 5-05

gas station where?

I certainly think the area could use another gas station, but NOT at AFB & Rampart. It is just going to contribute to traffic problems, even after the widening of AFB and Rampart. The bottle neck of traffic, for the most part, is caused by the traffic light (which is necessary!) at this intersection. After the widening of AFB is finished this August, the long line heading west on AFB will be approximately half of what it is now, which is VERY long!

I think Gate Petroleum builds a very nice gas station and food mart that is very well-maintained. A different site would serve everyone much better, including Gate.

Another issue, to me, is the impact on the existing wildlife in that area that is close to McGirts Creek, plus the possible effects on McGirts Creek itself, and all the homeowners who have land that is situated along McGirts Creek. I believe this body of water is located in or near the bird sanctuary that is located in adjacent northern Clay County, near the Aquarius Concourse, etc., neighborhood.
I don't know much about the flow characteristics of this section of McGirts Creek/Ortega River, but I think it needs to be looked at carefully. I would hate to see further environmental damage to this section of McGirts Creek. The northern part of McGirts Creek has already suffered damage from oil spill contamination and it has taken years to ameliorate that.

Clay County residents may also have an interest in this.