Letters: Petrovich should honor agreements

Petrovich should honor deal

Re “A modest proposal for that fuel station in Curtis Park” (Shawn Hubler, Dec. 19): The Curtis Park neighborhood opposition to Mr. Petrovich’s demand for a 16-pump gas station was not because we are elitist or snobs.

Curtis Park Village is supposed to be an urban infill that encourages residents to use light rail and pedestrian walkways. Sutterville Road is already labeled “F,” which is the worst traffic possible. New Curtis Park Village residents are going to increase traffic considerably, which our neighborhood accepts as the price of having a nice urban-infill project.

However, adding 16 pumps for Safeway customers (who will be driving into our neighborhood from all over the city to take advantage of the discounted gas – estimated up to 80 additional cars per hour) – would make Sutterville Road untenable, foul our air, and encourage more fossil-fuel driving. There are 22 other gas stations within 2 miles of the site, so there is certainly no pent-up need for additional gas pumps.

Mr. Petrovich had spent years working with the neighborhood association regarding this planned retail space, and promised a large grocery and various other retail purveyors. The fuel station was a last-minute sneak attack that shocked the good faith of our neighbors. That’s why 400 people showed up at a neighborhood meeting and overwhelmingly voted to oppose the fuel center. And we also sat through the six-hour City Council meeting that ultimately voted against it.

Since Mr. Petrovich didn’t get his way, he threatens to fill the space with franchise discount stores. Curtis Park bargained in good faith. Mr. Petrovich should honor his agreements and make Curtis Park Village (now Crocker Village) a beacon for urban infill.

Curtis Park answers back

Re “Curtis Park bullies developer” (Letters, Dec. 19): Bridget Whitted’s letter calling Curtis Park residents rich and snobbish was clearly written by someone who does not understand Curtis Park, the residents and the long battles with the developer of Curtis Park Village.

He has never negotiated in good faith. Everything he promised, he has attempted to manipulate. Now he has finally run into a group of determined residents who want to preserve their neighborhood. And as a longtime resident, I am glad.

This is a generous neighborhood. I know many folks living in Curtis Park. They are caring and giving of their time and money. I invite Ms. Whitted to leave her “upscale neighborhood” and come and see what a real neighborhood is all about before calling good people names.

This story was originally published December 25, 2015 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Letters: Petrovich should honor agreements."