No Gas Station @ B&M Update

Hi Neighbors,

Thank you for spreading the word about SE Bend’s opposition to GP Energy’s plans for a gas station at Brosterhous and Murphy.

Please forward and share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors and encourage them to sign-up for future updates. Send your comments, suggestions, questions, news and offers to help to NoGasStationBend@gmail.com.

-Sara and the “No to Gas Pumps, Yes to SE Bend Livability” team

Recent Accomplishments

Our quick neighborhood organizing efforts resulted in:

• 1,350 registered supporters against the gas station on our online petitionand growing
• Banners at the B&M roundabout and yard signs have been printed and ready to share
• Front page coverage in the Bend Bulletin as well as the Oregon Daily News & KTVZ
• A website, our social sites, a GoFundMe campaign and this e-newsletter 
• Downloadable flyers that summarize our key points in both English & Spanish
• Coordination with key neighborhood organizations such as Old Farm District & Southeast Bend Neighborhood Associations, Jewell PTO, HOAs, etc.

And we can see our collective voice is getting the attention of GP Energy – they postponed filing their permit application by at least 3 months.

Permit Updates

I am sure the hiatus over the holidays was appreciated by all of us. While the City of Bend has confirmed that the formal permit has not been filed yet, it’s clear that momentum is beginning to build:

• On February 2nd, the property owner has indicated they are performing an “Environmental Site Assessment seeking records regarding the use, storage, or release of petroleum products or other hazardous substances.” I don’t know about you, but I find it ironic that GP Energy is assessing the site for hazardous substances before they seek permission to install a gas station and create environmental issues of their own making.
• Within the last few days, the “for sale” signs on the property have been removed.

We want to keep you informed so you can get ready to ramp up with us. Opposing this gas station together will give us the greatest impact on the permitting process.

Traffic Concerns – Feedback Welcome

We oppose the gas station and drive thrus for many reasons. It’s important that we document all of our positions in detail, so that we can use this input for letters to the editor, to inform our presentations during the public comment period, etc.We’re taking your ideas and input and we are sketching out the key points. We will then drill down on each area to fully document facts and rationale.

Check out a first draft overview of our collective traffic concerns. We welcome your feedback, input and collaboration.

The plan, below, was proposed by GP Energy to SE Bend and Old Farm District Neighborhood Associations in October 2021 (a required pre-planning step). Watch the recorded meeting.

Media Coverage

Our efforts were covered by the Bend Bulletin, Central Oregon Daily News and KTVZ. Reporters reached out to the City of Bend and to GP Energy for comment, ensuring both parties are aware of our united voice.