CVS relocation clears first hurdle

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A new drugstore comes to the North End neighborhood despite opposition from neighbors. The Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission approved zoning for a CVS store.

The North End neighborhood could look more commercial soon. The CVS store now at Market Square wants to move to 18th Street between Salem and Union Streets.

"With CVS it's all about convenience for the customer and having the ability to go to a free standing store with a drive through, which we don't have currently at our Market Square location. It offers more for customers," explained Developer Bryan Foxworthy.

Part of the new CVS will sit here on the property where in 2002 four homes blew up because of a gas explosion, all that remains seven years later are the front steps to one home. Some neighbors believe bringing a CVS store to the North End neighborhood will help revitalize it. Others said it should remain residential.

At the Area Plan Commission meeting two people spoke in favor of the project. One of them, Perry Barbee, has lived in the neighborhood for 12 years.

"Nothing is happening. Everything is looking bad. We have a chance to make that end of town look nicer," he said.

Four others spoke against the project. Rosemary Almond and Kyle Gingrich Fulks have both fought against the project before.

"We are a residential neighborhood and we want to keep it that way," said Almond.

"It's just too close to our neighborhood," said Fulks.

The Area Plan Commission approved the project on its fourth try. Developers first made the request to rezone the area more than a decade ago in 1998. The block the store will sit on already lost four homes to a gas explosion, now around 10 more houses will need to be torn down to make room for the store. Bill Burns owns one of the houses that will have to go. He's pleased CVS will move in.

"We're talking about a place that's kind of beat up from that explosion and it's kind of an urban blight because of those lots. I think what CVS is planning will be a great improvement," said Burns.

Lafayette City Council will make the final decision on whether or not to allow the store into the neighborhood at its July 6 meeting.