Work is well underway at the new Adelphi Wawa, currently set to open later this year. The new Wawa will be located on the Southwest corner of Adephi Road and Riggs Road, just across Adelphi Road from the existing 7-Eleven and Popeyes.
The location, which features a 5,619 square foot food and beverage store and a gas station, is currently set to open this Fall.
Construction is still underway on Wawa’s first MoCo location in Gaithersburg. Wawa also has a new location under construction next to the College Park Ikea, though that location is only in the initial stages of its construction.
Updated on 2/23/22 to reflect that the City of Gaithersburg has now issued demolition and site development permits to Wawa
We first let you know the news of Wawa’s impending arrival in May of 2019. Wawa will be taking over the old Becraft Antiques location on 355, across from Gaithersburg High School at 405 S Frederick Ave. Nearly 3 years later, many are still anxiously awaiting the arrival of the convenience store/gas station that serves fresh and built-to-order foods, beverages, coffee, and more.
On December 1st, 2021, Wawa was granted approval for its final site plan of a new 5,060 square foot retail building and associated automobile filling station (gas station) by the City of Gaithersburg’s Planning Commission.
This came after public opposition to the site led to the development being stalled after a group of 14 community members filed an administrative appeal in the Montgomery County Circuit Court. The opponents of the site had stated that the Wawa does not align with MoCo’s master plan and would generate traffic and noise annoyances for residents in the surrounding areas. In April of 2021, Judge Donald Beachley struck down the appeal, clearing the way for development to begin.
In addition to the convenience store, Wawa’s plan includes six double sided filling stations and is covered with a 5,280 square foot metal canopy. The metal canopy is proposed to be located approximately 92 feet from the South Frederick Avenue right-of- way. Additionally, the canopy is 71 feet from the west property line, and 43 feet from the east property line. The sloped canopy has a maximum height of approximately twenty-five (25) feet. In addition, there will be:
- New right-in/right-out entrance along South Frederick Avenue/MD 355
- New entrance to the east of the property which will connect to an existing drive aisle on the Holbrook property (421 South Frederick Avenue). This will provide access to the signalized intersection.
- Sidewalk connections to the east and west of the property.
So where are we now?
Since the approval of its final site plan in December, Wawa has applied for site development and demolition permits. Last night (2/22/22), Gaithersburg City Councilmember Neil Harris told us that demolition and site development permits have been issued and that construction will begin sometime very soon.
Though the project has been delayed more than most, things have moved faster since April of 2021 and we anticipate construction beginning on MoCo’s first Wawa in the first half of 2022. Royal Farms, a similar convenience store/gas station that offers food just opened its first MoCo location in Gaithersburg.
Update Thursday, December 2nd: Wawa was granted approval for its final site plan by the City of Gaithersburg’s Planning Commission. The approval was based on four conditions, that include:
- Working with staff to resolve more locations for bike parking
- Cleaning up the plan for accessory service locations (ice storage, etc.)
- Enhancing porch columns on the front elevation
- Updates to the retaining walls
Wawa will now be able to apply for building permits, which would allow construction to begin over two years after the decision to open in Gaithersburg was made.
Original article below.
Back in 2019 we reported that Wawa was coming to Gaithersburg and would be taking over the old Becraft Antiques location on 355, across from Gaithersburg High School (405 S Frederick Ave).
WAWA recently requested final site plan approval for the construction of a new 5,060 square foot retail building and associated automobile filling station (gas station). It will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, December 1st at 7:30pm.
If approved, the start of construction should begin this winter.
Public opposition to the site led to the development being stalled after a group of 14 community members filed an administrative appeal in the Montgomery County Circuit Court.
The opponents of the site had stated that the Wawa does not align with MoCo’s master plan and would generate traffic and noise annoyances for residents in the surrounding areas.
Back in April, Judge Donald Beachley struck down the appeal, clearing the way for development to begin.
Per the City of Gaithersburg:
WAWA is requesting schematic development plan approval for the construction of a new WAWA automobile filling station and 5,060 square foot retail building.
During the August 5, 2019 Joint Public Hearing there were comments raised on the schematic development plan application from the City Council, Planning Commission & public . The Applicant has provided responses to those questions which can be found in the following document:
Status
The final site plan has been scheduled for the Planning Commission Hearing on December 1 at 7:30 pm. If you have any questions or comments about the application, please contact the Planning Department at [email protected] or 301-258-6330.
.
Is Wawa Still Coming to MoCo?
We have received this question more than any other in the last few months.
Back in May of 2019, we broke the news that Wawa’s first MoCo location would be opened in Gaithersburg at the old Becraft Antiques location on 355 across from Gaithersburg High School (405 S Frederick Ave).
You may be wondering: why hasn’t construction begun on the site?
In October of 2019, the Gaithersburg City Council approved the schematic development plan (SDP) for Wawa’s 5,000+ square foot site, which in theory would’ve paved the way for construction to begin. However, per Dan Schere of Bethesda Beat, the project soon hit a roadblock.
Public opposition to the proposed site led to a group of 14 community members filing an administrative appeal in the Montgomery County Circuit Court. This stalled the development of the site indefinitely.
The opponents of the Wawa site have stated that the Wawa site does not align with MoCo’s master plan and would generate traffic and noise annoyances for residents in the surrounding areas.
Their initial appeal kicked off a lengthy period of litigation and appeals processes. The Montgomery Circuit Court denied the initial appeal, but as of this September, the opponents’ appeal has made it to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. No hearing date had been set as of last month.
The ongoing litigation has found us in November of 2020 with no advancement on the construction of the site.
Wawa had initially planned on opening the location by the end of 2020, but that timeline is clearly no longer plausible. Supporters of the site will need to wait out the litigation to see if the site’s construction will be greenlit.
