A developer wishes to build a uniquely styled gas station at an intersection in Plainfield, Ill., where the Lincoln Highway and Route 66 meet. However, planning commissioners and residents are balking at the plan, reported the Plainfield Patch.
A Go-Tane station once stood at U.S. 30 (the Lincoln Highway) and Illinois 59 (Route 66). The station went out of business and was demolished while U.S. 30 was being widened.
Now, a developer known as G.C. Real Estate LLC is looking to build a new gas station at the site. Proposed as a BP station, the project includes a canopy with eight fuel pumps and a 3,600-square-foot convenience store with a drive-thru business — possibly a Subway restaurant, according to project architect Eric Eriksson. The plan also designates a triangular 4,500-square-foot section at the hard corner as a donation to the village for a possible Route 66 monument.
Speaking on behalf of the developer, Eriksson was at the June 5 plan commission meeting to discuss the proposal for the station, designed to mirror the Tudor revival style of the Overman-Jones Funeral Home directly across the street.
Residents and commissioners are balking at rezoning the parcel from residential to commercial. A few were concerned about whether the streets would support the traffic to a gas station. One questioned whether the station would have enough parking for the Route 66 monument (16 spaces are planned).
And one planner tacitly questioned whether a gas station would provide the right image for Plainfield at that “gateway” intersection.
A few observations:
- Since the site once included a gas station, why would another station there be inappropriate?
- With U.S. 30 now widened, wouldn’t many traffic concerns about a gas station business be alleviated?
- Because tourism on the Lincoln Highway and Route 66 is automobile-related, why is there this assumption a distinctly designed gas station — and its monument — would be deemed unwelcome by these travelers?
Commissioners agreed to continue the discussion on the plan on June 19. I would hope they would give a little more thought to it in the meantime.
(Hat tip: Brian Butko)
I grew up just down the road from there along the Route 66 alignment through Plainfield. There has been a gas station at that corner for as long as I can remember (going back to the 50’s). I think it would be historically appropriate for another gas station to occupy that location. And I like the design as it’s described.