Royal Purple

Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Mike Rybicki Kwik Trip, a gas station, has submitted plans to construct a store in Whitewater near the East Towne Market project. The project began last summer.

The city of Whitewater received its first plans to construct a new Kwik Trip convenience store and car wash. For the last few years, the city has been working with Vultaggio Development to bring new businesses to the eastside of the city.

"We're very pleased; this is a long time coming," City Manager Kevin Brunner said. "A lot of public dollars went into this, and we're anticipating more."

The next step, before the construction of the 7,020 square foot store, is the City Plan and Architectural Review Commission that will need to examine the plans at its March 24 meeting.

"They're going to review the plans and make sure it complies with the zoning code; we don't anticipate any stumbling blocks," Brunner said.

The Kwik Trip project will be the first of many developments to be constructed as part of the East Towne Market project.

For a project of this size, communication with everyone involved is very important.

"It's been good collaborating with the developers," City Planner Ryan Garcia said. "There's quite a few players, and there's been a lot of working together on the issues."

Garcia said he hopes the project will be a welcome to other commercial developers.

"For that area of town that's underserved, it's convenient to bring a ... gas station to a side of town that could use the development," Garcia said. "It's the first of many new things, and it's nice and will have a complete range of services for that side of the city."

Students seemed to be pleased with the progress the city is making.

"It's good for Whitewater to have a Kwik Trip here to help out," senior Alex Ledbetter said. "It could take away business from other gas stations, but it could help out with not-so-much back-up at gas stations."

Students like the idea of having more variety of places to shop in the city.

"It'll probably be good to have more stores and shops," sophomore Sarah Wynstra said.

Other developments for the East Towne Market include a grocery store, adjacent retail space and a new restaurant.

Also at the March 24 meeting, the City Plan and Architectural Review Commission will consider plans to convert the former Staples building into a Walgreens. Walgreens plans to reduce the size of the current building from around 22,000 square feet to 14,700 square feet and add a drive thru pharmacy window.

"It's a big boost in the West Main district," Brunner said. "It's close to the campus and easily accessible for students and faculty."

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