Drivers could soon fuel up at old Piggly Wiggly site

WEST ASHLEY, SC (WCSC) - On Thursday morning, the city of Charleston Technical Review Committee will hear plans for a Sunoco gas station to replace the old Piggly Wiggly building in West Ashley.

The building, near the Northbridge, has been vacant since 2013. It was purchased by Charlotte-based Faison Enterprises in 2014. That company will present the Sunoco gas station plans to TRC Thursday at 9 a.m.

According the the city of Charleston, TRC is the required first step of the review process. It is a committee made up of city staff that reviews various technical aspects of site plans including zoning, transportation and more.

From there, the plans will go to the Design Review Board. At that point, there will be a public hearing.

People who live near the vacant building are ready to see something happen to that lot.

"I would have liked to see something go there within 6 months after it shut down," West Ashley resident Thomas Giles said. "When a building sits desolate, it deteriorates."

"It's been really sad to see it that way," West Ashley resident Lisa Lynes said.

"I'm not excited about the gas station," council member Peter Shahid said. "I'm excited that if the gas station comes, it will be an improvement. But, I don't think we need to sell ourselves out too short."

Shahid, who is over this district, has seen the plans.  He said, while he's not thrilled about seeing this gas station here, he's keeping his options open.

"We've got to be patient with all of this, but we can't be foolish either," Shahid said. "We've got to move forward."

Shahid explained he like to see an inviting area in the property, where people can gather. He hopes changes are coming.

"We had other spaces over in this general area that were vacant for a long time, the CVS pharmacy," Shahid said. "Kickin' Chicken came in. That was vacant for a long time."

While the city explores ideas for this spot, everyone has their own opinion about its future.

"If they're going to put a gas station there, I think that's a great idea," Christine Ellison, who works in West Ashley, said.

"I think we have enough gas stations in the area," Lynes said.

"I'd like a Piggly Wiggly," Giles said.

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