My letter to the editor, published in the October 11th edition of the Sun Messenger
The most frequent reason given by residents who support Issue 58 (the GetGo rezoning issue) is that they are sick and tired of looking at the vacant Catalano’s property.
Apparently they think that a 16 pump mega GetGo gas station and a large convenience store are better than nothing.
They aren’t alone in their frustration, but the reality is that Giant Eagle has chosen to keep Catalano’s empty and undeveloped for the last 5 years.
Giant Eagle affiliates fought to kill a deal involving an area grocery-selling business, and Mayor Scott Coleman reportedly got the cold shoulder when he broached the idea of relocating the Mayfield Regional library there.
Why sit on the property?
Perhaps to engender the very frustration that GetGo supporters now cite as the reason for voting for the proposed mega GetGo.
As developer Lance Osborne explained at a recent ward meeting:
“Giant Eagle wants a GetGo there…(That) use is pretty important. Giant Eagle has a lot of customers. They know where they want to be.”
They sure do.
There are 7 Giant Eagle grocery stores---all with gas points programs that drive customers to GetGo gas stations---within 7 miles of Highland Heights.
If Giant Eagle gets its way, all of those customers will soon be driving into the heart of our city to buy gas and diesel fuel.
Aren’t we lucky.
Highland Heights residents need to send a clear message to Giant Eagle: the GetGo is a No-Go.
Voting NO vote on Issue 58 is the only way to break the logjam and convince Giant Eagle to let go of the Catalano’s property, allowing it to be developed in a more compatible and property value enhancing manner.
Lance Osborne is one developer who might be able to pull that off---once the GetGo is finally and definitively removed from the picture.
