Kirkwood Residents Lodge Complaints After Mobil Station Opens

With the On the Run at Mobil station at the intersection of Manchester and Geyer Roads now officially open for business, residents who live nearby are saying their worries about increased traffic and pollution are coming true.

As Patch previously reported, the On the Run expansion was quickly contested at its first proposal by Kirkwood residents, claiming the addition would increase traffic, displace businesses and impair pedestrian safety. The City Council approved the project in January 2012.

The expansion involved demolishing an existing Mobil service station and another building that housed other businesses. The new facilities have double the service stations and the On the Run convenience mart. Its owners, the Wallis Company, have previously said they expect to see a 100 percent increase in gas sales.

Residents opposed to the project took to the comments section of a previous Patch article about the station’s ribbon cutting to voice their frustrations. One resident also provided Patch with photos of instances where he said trash has accumulated near the On the Run expansion.

“Motorists repeatedly violate the no turn signs by turning wide out of Mobil, South down Simmons ... or into Mobil, from driving North up Simmons. The traffic and trash has substantially increased for Simmons residents,” wrote Patch user Ron G.

“I live two blocks away from Manchester south on Simmons and have started going down to Dougherty Ferry then north on Lindemann to get to Des Peres and Manchester Road because the Geyer Road traffic is so bad,” wrote another user, identified as Bonnie Brumpton. “No one believed us, but the traffic problem has definitely increased and is terrible. “

The expanded station has also earned the ill-will of at least one long-time customer. Patch user Carol said she and her family had purchased gas and other items from the Mobile station for years.

“After their increase in size and the lack of consideration for adjacent residents, our business will always go elsewhere,” she wrote.

However, one Patch user did sign on to contradict what others reported seeing.

“I live near the area and have noticed no change in the traffic pattern from previous,”Jim W. wrote. “The site is much improved and the better visibility due to setbacks at the intersection make it safer.”

For more, read these related articles:

• On the Run at Mobil Officially Celebrates Opening
• Residents Express Outrage Over Proposed Mobil Expansion in Kirkwood
• Mobil Goes 'On the Run' With Council Approval