Contracts haven’t been finalized, and ground hasn’t been broken, but the Eastbridge gas station is already expanding. In fact, the 20% increase in size of the station has caused a move to the larger north lot in the Eastbridge Town Center. “We ran some numbers, and we believe we can use the space,” says King Soopers Designer Ryan Glynn. “Our team made some adjustments, and we spoke with the other development teams, and now we have what we think will be appropriate space. However, it could continue to grow prior to the construction phase.”
What is shocking to Stapleton residents is just how big the gas station is. “It’s half the size of the King Soopers,” says resident Randy Miller. “Is that normally the amount of space gas stations take up? How many pumps are they putting in there?” Kamie Groth was equally impressed. “If you look at the specs, it’s five times bigger than Williams Family Dentistry,” says Groth. “If the cost per square foot is equal, that is going to be one expensive gas station. How many gallons of gas will need to be sold to pay it off? A billion?”
Some residents are concerned Forest City and Soopers are secretly building a truck stop. “If they are building a truck stop, which by the size of it, they are, there are lots of bad things that will come of this,” said concerned resident Jim Kongshaug. “People loitering late at night, more crime, loud trucks, extra pollutants, among many more negative impacts on the community.” Kyle Scott says the giant truck stop gas station will impact what else is developed in the town center. “Will there by a small, one night motel built in the center?” asks Scott. “There could be a porn store or potentially an Indian casino. None of this would be good for the people of Stapleton.”
Designer Glynn says at this point, the gas station is not a truck stop, just an extremely large gas station. “Things can always change,” says Glynn. “In fact, we hadn’t even thought of that. Nonetheless, we are simply moving forward with the necessary 10 pump station, or I guess 12 pump station, we had originally planned.” There are currently no plans on the timing of the signing of any contracts of breaking of any ground in the Eastbridge town center.
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