New gas station, possibly restaurant, arcade proposed west of Bloomington

A local developer plans to build a gas station , office space and possibly an arcade just west of Bloomington, despite opposition from the Van Buren Township trustee.

Rajesh Patel, of Heri Inc., wants to build on 4.1 acres west of the intersection of Ind. 45 and Airport Road.

However, Van Buren Township Trustee Rita Barrow urged residents in a letter to contact county officials to oppose the project. She wrote that a gas station would increase traffic, devalue homes and pose risks to human health and the environment.

Michael Carmin, a Bloomington attorney who represented Patel before the county plan commission, said it was disconcerting to hear the comments, especially from people who should know better.

“An intentional ambush is never appreciated, and that’s what the trustee’s letter was,” he told plan commission members.

Gas stations today aren’t what they used to be, Carmin said, and most of them are built in heavily populated areas, which belies the allegation that they are dangerous. In addition, he said, gas stations capture existing traffic, but do not create more.

The gas station would be newly constructed, but Patel said he would repurpose and remodel multiple structures that are on the property now, including a vacant residence and an existing storage structure. He said his plans include restaurants, office space and, if he has room, arcade machines.

Patel and Carmin did not return phone messages/emails seeking additional information, including the expected construction timeline.

Patel is asking county commissioners to rezone the property. A local planner said Patel already could build a gas station on the property, but he needs a zoning change to accommodate all of his planned structures.

The Monroe County Plan Commission recently voted unanimously to forward Patel’s rezoning request to commissioners with a positive recommendation. Commission President Geoff Morris said that area of the county sees lots of traffic during events such as soccer tournaments at Karst Farm Park, and the gas station could reduce vehicle traffic from people who try to get gas in Bloomington on the way home.

Heri Inc. bought the property in April for $850,000. The company owns several other properties in Monroe County, including the gas station at West 17th and North Madison streets.

Commissioners are expected to discuss Patel’s request on Wednesday.

Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: New gas station, possibly restaurant, arcade proposed west of Bloomington