I write about, I think, some fairly weighty issues that deserve public attention. But, I have to say, nothing seems to attract attention like when I do a story about disappearing gas stations. I guess it speaks to people’s sense of how the city is changing.
At any rate, I did a story a while ago about Shell putting its gas station on Georgia, across from the Bayshore, on the block, a site that surely has to be attractive, as developers race to build designer-y new luxury towers there. (White Spot patrons next door, I would get those Monty mushroom burgers while you can, because I can’t imagine White Spot resisting the pressure for long.)
More recently, I did another story about Shell putting up another five stations for sale on the west side, all prime locations for low-rise apartment buildings, I would think.
Their site at Broadway and Alma, in particular, I can see becoming a new little hub on the west side. There is a development proposal for the mini-mall kitty-corner from there. (True Confections fans, get your hits in now.)
There’s a mini-mall backing onto that gas station (facing 10th). And Land Developments owns the empty lot on the southeast side of 10th and Alma, with development planned soon, I’m sure. Alma Village, here we come.
Those aren’t the only places to go. Small bank branches, mini-malls around the city are being eyed.