Bally’s Demo Underway, Wawa Construction TBA

Written by Theresa Katalinas

In a matter of weeks, the former Bally’s Total Fitness site could be knocked down to make way for a Wawa convenience store and gas station.

But, when the Wawa and 10,000 square feet of retail will be built is largely dependent upon how quickly the developer can obtain all of the necessary permits.

During the Upper Moreland Commissioners meeting Monday, David Onorato, an attorney for developer Bruce Goodman of Goodman Properties, pleaded his case for why the board should grant approval for the developer to carry out site grading and clearing in addition to demolishing the Bally’s building and restoring the adjacent streambank.

“We don’t want to wait. We’d like to proceed as we can,” Onorato said. “We just don’t want to come back here again.” 

But, the commissioners, after some discussion, made coming back before the board inevitable. The matters of grading and clearing are to be discussed during the Aug. 12 committee meeting.

Commissioner Donna Parsons said she had no issue with demolition, but said, “I’m not comfortable with the level of risk to the township” regarding advance approval of work that has yet to have permits granted.

Under the resolution approved on Monday, the developer would need to pay Upper Moreland an escrow of $50,000 to cover the cost of demolition should the township need to carry out the work. An additional $127,000 escrow is needed to cover the cost of streambank restoration.

“No other work may be commenced without a building permit and grading permit and full compliance with the conditions of approval,” according to the resolution.

Onorato said Bally’s demolition could begin within a week or two.

Wawa Spokeswoman Colleen Labik, in an email to Patch, said Goodman Properties would be “delivering the site to us in early 2014.”

She did not offer a specific scheduled completion or opening date.

Goodman is also building a Wawa at Route 611 and Hilltop Road in Abington. 

“Wawa is excited to be opening these two new stores in Montgomery County in the 2014 – 2015 calendar years,” Labik said.

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