Kirkwood City Council Discusses Gas Station Expansion, Parking Lot Construction at Thursday’s Meeting

The Kirkwood City Council has several hot topics of debate on the table for Thursdsay’s meeting.

According to the meeting’s agenda, the council will consider a vote to purchase two businesses located downtown at 107 and 113 West Jefferson Ave. for a total of $1.25 million. The city plans to demolish the buildings there and expand the city’s parking lot.

Aside from the cost of buying the land, the redevelopment could cost the city $175,000.

Members of Kirkwood-Des Peres Chamber of Commerce have been in favor of the parking lot expansion, arguing the city has a shortage of public parking space. Some residents have voiced their concerns about the city spending the money on the project, as well as some environmental concerns.

The council is expected to vote on this item at Thursday’s meeting.

Another topic of discussion on the agenda is the granting of a special use permit for the at the corner of Manchester and North Geyer roads.

calls for the demolition of business space at 1136-1150 Manchester Rd. and an extension of the station to Simmons Avenue. The current convenience store would be demolished and a Mobil on the Run would be built on the property.

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An attorney representing the company that owns the gas station has told the council that the station is expected to bring between $1.5 and $2 million in sales, which would translate into revenue for the . Residents have complained the station will increase traffic in a residential area.

"Business is important, but what's more important is the preservation of quality of life of residents," said Kirkwood resident Catherine Hanna in a . "There are no sidewalks on Simmons. It's not a good idea."

The proposed expansion has already been approved by planning and zoning and it is now up to the council to decide what to do next. The first reading of the bill will be Thursday.

See our attached copy of Thursday’s meeting agenda in the PDF section, and stay tuned to Kirkwood Patch for more updates.