Neighbors object to proposed 24-hour BP and raise contamination, traffic and safety concerns

Several residents from South 77th Street area urged the council to prevent redevelopment of the former American Steiners parcel as a 24-hour BP gas station, citing contamination history, traffic risks and neighborhood safety.

Linda Lampe, who lives opposite the vacant lot at 1943 S. 77th St., said she has watched contractors conduct soil sampling and was told by a visitor that the developer plans a 24-hour gas station if tests show the site is not contaminated. Lampe told the council the lot was previously contaminated and that neighbors remain concerned about runoff, rats and activity around the train tracks.

Neighbor Dave Resky said the area already has many nearby gas stations — he counted roughly 10 within one mile and 18 within 1.5 miles — and questioned the suitability of adding a 24-hour station on a narrow residential street. He said nearby pedestrian traffic includes children, an autistic child, and a blind man who walks to the bus stop; he warned that 24-hour operation and fuel trucks on a no-truck street would increase risks.

Resky and Lampe also raised quality-of-life concerns: they said parked cars along the street are sometimes broken into and that the block functions as overnight parking. Resky said prior efforts to secure a stop sign were denied despite signatures. Lampe asked council to act now to prevent approval of the gas-station plan.

City staff did not announce a decision at the April 15 meeting. Residents asked council members to block the proposal or require comprehensive remediation and community safeguards if redevelopment proceeds.

Ending: Neighbors said they will continue to press for action to block the 24-hour service-station plan or to require stronger remediation and traffic-safety measures; council members and staff noted the site’s contamination history will affect any permitting and that further review is required.