Developer Bart Blatstein has decided to shelve a controversial plan for a Super Wawa that would have fronted the Delaware River along South Columbus Boulevard in Philadelphia and will instead build an expanded retail center without the convenience store.

“I’m not going to pursue Wawa and the litigation on Delaware Avenue,” Blatstein said in an interview. 

His change of heart was driven by opportunity. “The market needs more retail and I’m going to scrap the Wawa plan and do more retail,” he said. “The economics are better.”

The Philadelphia developer had been met by a series of setbacks for the proposed Wawa at 1401 S. Columbus Blvd. that had been consistently rejected by neighborhood groups, governing authorities, City Council members, and an organization overseeing development of the waterfront. Most concerns revolved around having a convenience store with gas pumps in the area that has a growing residential population and is trying to become more pedestrian-friendly. A gas station is also prohibited use. 

*Article courtesy of Philadelphia Business Journal 

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