East siders divided over proposed Wawa

(MIRROR INDY) — The land in front of the eastside Get Fit Athletic Club has been available to lease for 20 years, but the property owner said it never attracted much interest — until he received a call from someone associated with a convenience store chain.

Roy Switzer, who owns the property on the corner of Washington Street and Shortridge Avenue, said he was initially against the idea of a gas station on his property.

Then the caller revealed themselves to be from Wawa.

“They just do a phenomenal job,” Switzer said. “And, it’s something East Washington really, really needs and has been asking for.”

But, that conversation was about a year-and-a-half ago. Switzer, who lives in Kentucky, blames delays on the city’s transit-oriented zoning restrictions, which he says are making it harder for development to be approved.

Andy Nielsen, the city-county councilor for the area, said it’s not that the city is opposed to the project. It’s that Switzer is seeking approval for more gas pumps than would ordinarily be allowed.

Plus, there are at least seven other gas stations within a mile radius of the property. Once there, Nielsen said, it would take a lot of time and money to remove the Wawa and turn it into something else.

There are at least 19 other gas stations within a 2-mile radius of the proposed Wawa

“We need to be really certain that’s what we want to put in there,” said Nielsen, a Democrat. “Even with something as high quality of a development like the Wawa, it’s still seen agnostically as another fueling station.”

Meanwhile, word is getting out about the proposal, and opinions on the east side are divided. Some are supportive while others say they don’t want another gas station on Washington Street.

“You’re not going to see people from downtown coming out to the Wawa,” said eastsider Jakob Morales. “We need to be building more places that are enjoyable for people to spend time in, rather than just stop by, fill their gas tank, maybe grab a burrito and then leave.”

Wawa did not respond to Mirror Indy’s request for comment.

City zoning a hurdle in bringing Wawa to the east side

The Pennsylvania convenience store chain is known for its made-to-order sandwiches and devoted fans — people have Wawa tattoos and the convenience store has even been the set for wedding pictures.

The company entered the Indiana market in May with a store in Daleville. Three more locations have since opened, including one on the north side of Indianapolis.

The proposal for an eastside location is along the path of the future Blue Line, IndyGo’s third bus rapid transit route. Construction is already underway in front of the property and a bus stop will eventually be placed within view of Switzer’s land.

Switzer believes riders would appreciate a Wawa being so close to the forthcoming Blue Line platform.

“The bus stations are wide open,” Switzer said. “They’re not heated. If I were a bus rider, I would want a Wawa right beside my bus station.”

But because the property is near the Blue Line, it falls under a transit-oriented development overlay, which is a zoning district that holds development to standards that encourage walkability and bus use.

Switzer first brought his proposal to a city zoning board in the fall. But, city staff raised concern about the project’s fit in the overlay. The property owner withdrew his petition in November.

He told Mirror Indy in July that he thinks the city is using the overlay to be restrictive. His business conducted a study of walkability in the area and found no more than a couple people crossed the intersection near his property each hour on average over the course of a week with nice weather last fall — though that also took place before the installation of the Blue Line.

The site plan has since been revised, resubmitted and is set to be heard at the Metropolitan Development Commission hearing examiner meeting Aug. 14. But, Switzer feels compelled to rally support after the city’s past reception to the proposal.

“Rather than following the planning and zoning guidelines,” he said, “this transit overlay has given them the ability to say yes or no to anything they want.”

But Nielsen, who has been in contact with Switzer and Wawa representatives, said that’s not entirely true.

The councilor said the overlay doesn’t restrict the type of development in the area. Instead, it restricts what can go there without a request to change or amend what is allowed.

For example, a recent petition submitted to the city on behalf of the project detailed plans to open a Wawa station with 16 pumps — eight more than the number of pumps generally allowed for one station in the area.

Niesen said he doesn’t dislike the Wawa brand, but he has to follow the requests of his neighbors.

“I listen loud and clear to my district,” Nielsen said. “What I’ve heard overwhelmingly is that we have enough gas stations.

A community divided

The project gained the backing of the Warren Township Development Association and State Sen. Michael Crider — a Republican who represents a district near the proposed store — who wrote supportive letters.

And, posts have been circling social media to drum up interest. Their graphics encourage community members to email city officials.

“They say we don’t deserve a Wawa,” one graphic reads. “We say we need better.”

Many comments support Wawa coming to the east side. Some say a Wawa would attract more development. Others say it would be better than other gas stations in the area.

Irvington resident Eric Farrell said the other gas stations nearby have “somewhat depressing selections when it comes to snacking and overall vibe.” He said he can’t imagine a better fit for the property.

“I’ve lived in different parts of the country and always appreciate gas stations that are big, clean and have hot food options,” Farrell said. “I would definitely go to the Wawa for lots of snacks and just good vibes in general.”

Morales, the eastsider opposed to the development, worries that building a Wawa could bring pollution and traffic to an area that needs intentional development. He’d like to see mixed-use housing or community-focused development instead.

Morales grew up in New Jersey, where there are a lot of Wawa locations.

“It is just a convenience store,” he said. “It is just a gas station.”

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.

Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarian or on Bluesky @darianbenson.bsky.social.

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