Business & Tech

Last Call: Speedway's Beer Request Denied

The Common Council votes down the request, 4-1.

Customers who want to grab a six-pack of cold beer after filling their car with gas will have to go someplace other than .

The Common Council denied Speedway’s request to sell beer at that location by a vote of 4-1 after a public hearing at Tuesday’s meeting.

A month ago, the council gave Speedway approval to scrape its current structure and begin rebuilding in April, a project expected to cost more than $2 million. The new 3,900-square foot gas station might reopen as soon as July 4, according to company officials.

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As part of the rebuilding project, the new Speedway wanted to include a walk-in beer cooler. According to those officials, 853 of Speedway’s 1,600 stores nationwide sell alcohol, including 32 in Wisconsin.

“I believe it’s in the best interest of the business to let them move forward,” said Alderperson Thomas Pietrowski, who cast the lone vote in favor of the request.

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But a petition with 253 signatures from people against the request and numerous phone calls voicing similar complaints kept beer out of Speedway’s coolers.

“I appreciate Speedway’s investment in Greenfield and willingness to have this station,” Alderperson Pam Akers said. “It will help the city a lot. But I do have a lot of concerns and I’ve had an overwhelming number of phone calls from constituents asking me not to approve it.”

Added Alderperson Linda Lubotsky, “It’s two blocks from a high school. It’s eight blocks from a grade school. … We have to listen to our taxpayers and the 253 of them that signed a petition and don’t want us to sell beer there.”

Also at the meeting the Common Council approved:

  • a certified survey map that combined five existing lots totaling 8.13 acres and then re-splitting the area into three parcels for the following: Pick N’ Save, 4279 S., 76th St.; Pizza Hut, 4171 S. 76th St.; and Blockbuster, 4285 S. 76th St.
  • to allow the Rivershire Apartments complex, 11215 W. Morgan Ave., to add a 10-car parking area north of its clubhouse.
  • a three-year cooperation agreement between the city and Milwaukee County for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds for housing and community development projects. The agreement runs from 2012-14.


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