Criticism of a Gas Station Proposed for the Philadelphia Waterfront

Philadelphia Inquirer Architecture Critic Inga Saffron has noticed a trend with the development proposals originating from developer Bart Blatstein in Philadelphia:

Every couple of years, developer Bart Blatstein resurfaces with the same moldy proposal for a Super Wawa gas station on Columbus Boulevard in South Philadelphia. He knows that the Delaware waterfront master plan, which was the product of a lengthy public process, forbids new, auto-centric uses near the river. He also knows that the city has been working for years to transform the area into a walkable, urban neighborhood. But Blatstein couldn’t care less about what the public wants.

Blatstein makes the same claims to back up his proposals, according to Saffron: that the waterfront hasn't changed since the city adopted a master plan in 2011. Saffron makes the case here that Blatstein's vision is, in fact, outdated compared to changes that have already arrived to the area.

This is the second time in recent weeks that Blatstein has made development and planning news in Philadelphia, after the Philadelphia Inquirer documented a food vendor controversy connected to a development near the Spring Garden Broad Street Line stop near the Community College of Philadelphia.