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West side community battles gas station build, alcohol sales near elementary school

Posted at 5:24 PM, Sep 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-02 19:09:42-04

INDIANAPOLIS – A community on Indianapolis’ west side is fighting developers to prevent a gas station from going up at 86th Street and Lafayette Road.

But people are most concerned that alcohol will be sold at the gas station, which is near Pike Township’s Fishback Creek Public Academy.

Neighbors are going from business-to-business to raise money to hire a lawyer so they can, at the very least, challenge the gas station’s alcohol sales.

“We don’t want vagabonds over here drinking. We don't want any of the hoopla that potentially goes along with a gas station that sells alcohol and tobacco," said Crystal Caccamo. “We wouldn't have moved here had we known this was going in or had any chance of going in."

The situation has been going on for a year-and-a-half with nearly 1,600 people signing a petition against the build.

The developer, Three Mile Properties, has not responded yet to requests for a comment.

Under city zoning laws, the gas station is allowed to sell alcohol near the school as long as it is located across the street.