The Mobile Police Department said that at about 8:46 p.m. Thursday officers were dispatched to the Speed Stop gas station at 1891 Government St. After receiving a report that someone had been shot.

Twin Peaks Auto Care has eight gas pumps and a small repair shop. “We live right up the hill,” said Paul Kelley. “So it’s easy to get in and out and the guys are nice. It happens every summer—so don't be alarmed if gas prices (currently $2.89 per gallon) continue to spike. 'Right around this time of year, we switch from producing winter gas to summer gas. In my first weekend driving with Uber, I made $80 working four hours. Of course, that’s before taxes and not considering gas + wear and tear on my vehicle, but it still made for a great side hustle. The extra money was nice, and I really enjoyed meeting all different kinds of people. Definitely a side gig I would recommend! Inside the now-bisected lower level at 42nd St. As seen in this 2012 photo, the lower level platform at 42nd and 8th Ave. Has been bisected by the 7 line extension. (Photo by Benjamin Kabak) Yesterday, as part of the countdown to the opening of the 7 line extension, I took a look back at the lost opportunities at 41st St.

A group of Bloomfield residents adjacent to a proposed 24-hour gas station that will also feature an EV charging station, car wash, deli, coffee shop and ice cream shop have banded together to try to head off the project.

The Noble Gas project, which could include housing in the future, would be built on the current site of the Bloom Hill Farm ice cream stand at 696 Cottage Grove Road, just east of the Prospect Street neighborhood.

In order for the project to move forward, the Town Planning and Zoning Commission will have to vote to change the zoning of the area from professional to commercial. The commission is holding a virtual special meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. to consider the proposed zone change.

Residents of the neighborhood plan to attend that meeting to convince the commission that the zone change and the project are not appropriate for the area.

“This type of development I just don’t think is good for the town,” said Prospect Street resident and Bloomfield native Maura Riley. “Having a gas station sitting right next to an old neighborhood is not right.”

The residents, who have formed a Facebook group called Preserve Prospect Street, argue that the development would harm property values and bring noise and light pollution, increase traffic and speeding on the street motorists use as a cut through to the town center and likely increase crime.

They say that the project also does not fit into the town’s plan for conservation and development.

“If something is going to negatively impact impact property values or hurt the character of a neighborhood it wouldn’t be approved,” said Prospect Street resident Tyson Boisvert, who also pointed out that the town has three 24-hour gas stations two miles east on Blue Hills Avenue, plus the Stop and Shop gas station and a station in the center of town.

“I don’t feel there is a need for another one,” he said.

Boisvert, who moved to Bloomfield in 2013, said that he and others have been going door to door in the neighborhood to get petition signatures to force a super-majority vote by the commission in order to adopt the zoning change.

If they are successful in getting the signatures of 20% of the residents within 500 feet of the proposed project, the commission would have to vote 4 to 1 instead of 3 to 2 in order for it to pass, according to Boisvert.

“We’re close to that number,” he said. “It could potentially influence some people.”

Carol Noyes, a Trinity Circle resident since 1989, who was collecting signatures Tuesday, said she was troubled by the continued loss of farmland in town. Noyes also said a familiar remark she heard from people she spoke to was “Is this Niagara all over again?”

That comment refers to the Niagara Bottling Plant, which four members of the current Democratic majority on the town council used as an issue three years ago to launch a successful primary campaign and oust the endorsed slate.

The developer, Michael Frisbie, who has built similar projects in Hartford and New Britain, presented his plan to the Bloomfield Economic Development Committee last month, where it was well received.

Town Planning Director Jose Giner has also expressed support for the proposed zone change.

Frisbie told the EDC that noise pollution would be minimized by adding plantings and other buffers, including the building that would house the car wash, and that most of the lighting would be focused toward the main building. Frisbie said he would get to know the neighbors and address any problems.

Frisbie told the EDC that he expected 2,000 to 2,500 entry and exit trips a day at the gas station and about 150 to 200 visits to the car wash on the 3.5- to 4-acre site. A traffic light and separate travel lanes for right-hand turns for west-bound traffic and left-hand turns for east-bound motor vehicle traffic would be added, as well as a walk light from a large apartment complex just across the street to the south.

Steven Goode can be reached at sgoode@courant.com.

How To Buy A Gas Station/C-Store Business

By Richard Parker: President of The Business Buyer Resource Center and author of How To Buy A Good Business At A Great Price ©

One of the most popular categories of businesses for sale is gas stations. If you want to buy a gas station, it is especially important for you to understand the peculiarities of this industry because, surprisingly, it is one of the most complex types of businesses to purchase.

The good news is that buying a gas station can provide you with a very solid and relatively easy business to operate. Despite the volatility of oil prices, or the future potential for alternate fuels, gas stations are not slated for extinction any time soon. Regardless of what may happen in the future, there will always be a need to have local centers to service the market, whether or not there will be a full shift to new vehicle power sources.

What Exactly Are You Buying? Make Sure You’re Comparing Similar Businesses!

It is hard to understand the vast differences of the key financial ratios when looking at the gas station for sale listings. You may have noticed that prices and profits vary greatly. That is due to the many variables involved with gas stations for sale. Some include real estate, while, in many cases, one entity owns the property and still a completely different landlord owns the land. Or, there may not be any property involved at all in the sale, but you certainly have to pay attention to lease terms, transferability and expiration. Still, there are others that include convenience stores, car washes, or repair centers.

So lesson number one is to determine exactly what is included in the sale.

Franchise Gas Station or Independent Retailer?

You can buy a gas station that operates under the brand of one of the major oil companies or you can operate as an independent.

With a franchise, you are obligated to purchase that company’s gasoline, participate in their promotions, and adhere to their franchise policies. More and more of these locations are turning over to direct ownership by the oil companies directly; however, there are still plenty of good ones available.

One of the most compelling reasons to operate a franchised location is that the franchisor is on the hook for any environmental issues.

An independent station is not obligated to any supply source, although most enter into longer-term supply contracts with local gas distributors to gain some pricing advantages.

In regards to environmental issues, the independent owner faces the entire exposure for any environmental issues – and they can become incredibly expensive.

Here’s a great article to learn more about buying a gas station franchise or independent.

Looming Threats:

There are several things you need to be aware of and investigate before you forge ahead with the purchase of a particular gas station. Here are two of the most common and compelling ones:

Road Work – In general, major roadways undergo construction every ten years or so. Check the records at city hall for past work, and speak with the local building department to see if any significant work is scheduled. Keep in mind that if they redo the roads that provide access to the gas station, you could be out of business for up to a year or more.

My Money Real Good Right Now Gas Station Online

Environmental Issues – The laws vary from state to state but nearly all have adopted a mandatory double-lined tank pol