Wawa project moving forward despite ETCA opposition

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A plan to build a new Wawa store with a gas station at Frankford Avenue and Academy Road again drew the ire of the East Torresdale Civic Association during the group’s Dec. 10 meeting.

Nevertheless, the project is moving forward. Zoning for the Morrissey site, where the Wawa is going, has been changed from residential to commercial to facilitate the plan. The Wawa at Frankford and Linden avenues will close.

Residents at the ETCA meeting raised concerns about traffic, just as they did during a presentation on the new Wawa in June.

ETCA Vice President Bill Kennedy said there’s not much the civic association can do because the new store is being built “by right,” meaning no variances are needed.

Ryan Keller, from Sixth District Councilman Bobby Henon’s office, said the developer met with nearby residents and the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association to work out a community benefits agreement.

The project’s developer has agreed to help fund a playground in Upper Holmesburg, but that proposal is still up in the air, as the location has not yet been determined, Keller said.

In response to questions from residents, Keller said the Wawa will include an entrance at the corner of Frankford and Academy, an entrance and exit farther down on Frankford and an entrance from the I-95 off-ramp.

“This Wawa — they’ve done several traffic studies — would actually be significantly safer than the one you currently have at Linden and Frankford,” Keller said.

Wawa representatives did not return a request for comment on the new store.

The plan presented in June called for front and rear customer access points, 50 parking spaces, 16 fueling stations and a dedicated loading area.

Keller said Morrissey, a construction company, has told the councilman’s office that they plan to continue operating on the site even after the Wawa opens.

It’s unclear when the store is expected to open.

In other news:

• ETCA members voted overwhelmingly in favor of supporting a zoning application that would legalize a duplex at 9547 Frankford Ave. The property has a rental license and has been operating as a duplex since at least 2001 and possibly as far back as 1985. It is zoned for single-family residential.
• Joe Carson was elected Dec. 10 as the new ETCA president. He will be replacing Lew Halas, who decided not to run for another term. Halas will stay involved as the immediate past president. ••

Jack Tomczuk can be reached at [email protected]