New Super Wawa plan may not be so convenient for Cherry Hill residents.
One of the many Wawa locations in Cherry Hill
As South Jersey residents, we all visit the beloved Wawa on a consistent basis. Whether it’s for a snack before heading to school/work, or getting gas to start the week, Wawa has served as a convenient rest stop in our community for as long as we can remember. However, Cherry Hill Township has presented a new Super Wawa plan that is more detrimental than favorable.
The proposed plan is for a new Super Wawa to be established in the Barclay Shopping Center Route 70 East, right across the highway from the current Wawa location. It may seem advantageous for Barclay residents to access the new Wawa that is proposed to be on the East side of the highway, but negative consequences outweighs this one positive aspect.
Being a historic neighbourhood and shopping center, the Super Wawa would be destroying historic buildings such as the Barclay Pavilion as well as the entrance islands on West Gate Drive and Kingston Drive. These locations will be razed in order to create more traffic lanes to prevent congestion as people enter and exit the shopping center upon Wawa’s arrival. Traffic averaging at 1,000 vehicles per day will immediately decrease property value of Barclay homes and pose danger to children walking as well as biking.
Not only will the Wawa pose issues to the neighbourhood, but also the environment as a whole. Creating yet another Super Wawa will increase the risk of unintended gas spills which would evidently run into the Copper River Basin and contaminate our waters. Litter, noise pollution (loud music), and light pollution will be a result of the Wawa operating 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. Considering one Super Wawa is just 1.3 miles down Route 70 as well as another Super Wawa 2.6 miles around the corner on Haddonfield Road, do we really need another Wawa?
Thinking about the effects of creating this Super Wawa, know that it is not too late to take action and turn this plan the other way around. There a many ways to donate against this plan: buy a lawn sign (www.preservebarclay.com), venmo (@barclay-farm), Go Fund Me (https://gofund.me/f366cdfc), or send a check to Preserve Barclay Group (575 Pelham Road, Cherry Hill NJ 08034). All donations will be used to fund the “Land Use” lawyer.
Consider how local residents feel as their homes are being encroached upon by commercial creeping. Stop this now by donating and spreading the word!
Scout Pullano is one of the Sports editors for Eastside. She is one of the captains of East's field hockey team and is involved in student government....
Aye kaye • Sep 1, 2021 at 7:15 pm
Nice article.
But I don’t know if I agree.
It’s already a busy large structure and lot, with many shops. Actually the part of the parking lot that’s by the large road, rt70, is empty most of time and can be better used. Using that space benefits all. The taxes paid from it. The convenience.
The residential neighborhoods are already right next to all this. They kind of chose to live next to a big busy large commercial road.
Regarding gasoline… Lol. I drive a EV but even I know that gas will be here for a LONG time. Irrespective, if and when it starts dying out, electric superchargers can be placed there. Wawa actually is very good and has ALOT of tesla superchargers.
Real estate here keeps going up as more development happens. If any one has issues then sell and move further down rt 70 toward shore. Quiet empty there and alot cheaper.
Julie Smith-Herman • Aug 26, 2021 at 6:28 pm
Take a look around you with what’s happening with Climate Change and overpopulation. We need to start preserving with less waste and unneeded stores. This is a terrible plan and it needs to be nixed.
Carol Saldutti • Aug 23, 2021 at 11:46 am
Great Article Scout!! Thank you for supporting Barclay Farm.
Barclay Farm • Aug 23, 2021 at 9:34 am
Thanks for the thoughtful article. Unfortunately the Go Fund Me link is incorrect. If possible, we’d appreciate it if you could correct. Here is the link: https://gofund.me/f366cdfc
Keri Ricci • Aug 23, 2021 at 8:25 am
Thank you for this excellent piece. One point that I’d like to add is this: As we all are embracing the concept of moving towards electric and hybrid vehicles, why would we as a society allow more gas pumps? There are all ready so many options and there will very soon be too many. It strikes me as very poor planning to be pushing for more of something that will very soon become antiquated. To put commerce over community for the short run, to take this environmental risk, and to destroy the entrances to two of our beloved communities that have been embraced and cared for by our residents is foolish and frankly appalling.
Carmelo gaudite • Aug 22, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Wawa should not be allowed to go up at least 2 miles from each other! A wawa at Barclay Farms means trouble to the neighborhood. Wawa is more needed in Pennsauken and Camden area so why not build more there?
Sharon hoffman • Aug 22, 2021 at 3:37 pm
This should not be allowed. Doesn’t property values and keeping a wonderful neighborhood intact as it is matter . Sometimes progress is going backwards for some. Shame on the Woods family and corporation that they would continue to pursue this amidst so much discontent.
John • Aug 21, 2021 at 8:28 pm
Ridiculous excuses. That shopping center is an eyesore at the moment and has been for a while . As far worrying about gas spills , why not shut down all gas stations in Cherry Hill. Will these people have the same complaint when Royal Farms starts construction on Rt. 70 in Cherry Hill close to New Wawa at Barclay?